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Two Olympic Veterans And One Free-Agent Pickup Officially Signed By Bandits

Fastpitch.US — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:35:44 +0000

ELGIN – Chicago Bandits GM Aaron Moore announced the resigning of two Bandits veterans to the Chicago roster today, and the finalization of a returning free-agent.

Bandits’ outfielders Vicky Galindo and Caitlin Lever finalized their contracts to return for the 2010 season. The duo both spent time with Chicago and their respective National Teams in 2009. For Galindo, it was Team USA and Lever called Team Canada home for parts of the season in 2009. Both will again spend time with their respective National teams this year.

In 2009, Galindo batted .243 with one RBI, nine hits and four runs scored, but saw limited time at the plate, only getting 37 opportunities. For Lever, it was a slightly brighter picture at the plate. She batted .333 with one homerun, nine RBIs, 12 hits and five runs in her 36 appearances.

Pitcher Jessica Sallinger has officially finalized her contract with the Bandits. Sallinger was previously drafted by and pitched for the Bandits from 2006-2008, then spent 2009 with the now defunct Philadelphia Force.

“I am very excited to be coming back to the Chicago Bandits,” said Sallinger. “This is where my professional career began and where I won a National Championship. I feel like I am coming back home and I am looking forward to another great year and hopefully another championship as a Bandit!”

In 2008, Sallinger was a workhorse for the Bandits, starting 18 games in the circle, while going 12-6 as a starter and also contributing three saves, one of which came in the Championship Series against the Washington Glory. Sallinger also struck out 107 batters in 120 innings of work, leading the Bandits to the 2008 Cowles Cup trophy.

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NPF Holds 2010 Senior Draft Live Presented by Miken

Fastpitch.US — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:29:44 +0000

KISSIMMEE, FL – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and its four-affiliate teams held the 2010 NPF Senior Draft Presented by Miken on Wednesday night which was broadcast for the first time in league history on MLB.COM, live from the Hermitage Key Resort. This was the second consecutive year the NPF has broadcast the Draft live but the first time on MLB.com.

Each team had at least three selections in the five-round draft. The USSSA Pride held seven of the 20 overall picks due to a draft-day trade in 2009.

With the first pick in the draft the USSSA Pride selected University of Alabama’s Charlotte Morgan. Charlotte Morgan has been a key impact Player for Alabama’s Offense. She became the first Player in Alabama history with three 50 or more RBI seasons.

The Tennessee Diamonds selected Molly Johnson of the University of Kentucky with the No. 2 pick in the draft. While USSSA Pride chose Melissa Roth of Louisville at No. 3 and Chicago picked Michigan pitcher Nicki Nemitz with the final pick of the first round.

USSSA Pride made the first selection of the second round and the fifth pick overall by choosing University of Oklahoma 1B/OF Amber Flores. The Diamonds selected Becca Heteniak of Depaul as the No. 6 pick of the Draft. The Racers make their first pick of the Draft at No. 7 and chose Ohio State catcher Sam Marder. Chicago added Louisiana Tech shortstop Amberly Waits with the No. 8 pick to close out the second round.

Again the Pride led off the third round (No. 9 overall) by choosing Florida outfielder Francesca Enea. Tennessee Diamonds added another Texas Longhorn to their roster alongside of Cat Osterman and Megan Willis, Loryn Johnson as the No. 10 pick. For Akron Racer’s second pick of the night they have added UCLA Pitcher/1B Megan Lagenfeld as the No. 11 pick. With those final pick of the third round, the Chicago Bandits chose from the University of Oregon, Neena Bryant.

Pride continued a strong 2010 NPF Senior Draft by adding Stanford excellent-hitting outfielder Alissa Haber as their final pick of the 2010 College Senior Draft. Haber is one of four PAC-10 Players who were chosen in the Draft. The fourth round continued with the Tennessee Diamonds taking Carly Wynn of Florida State University (No. 14). The Chicago Bandits had the No. 15 and No. 16 Pick overall to round out the fourth round. With those selections, Chicago added Rachel Mitchell (No. 15) from LSU and lefty slapper Christine Knauer (No. 16).

After USSSA Florida Pride has led in every round, they have traded a Draft pick to the Akron Racers to lead off the fifth and final round. The Racers selected Liane Horiuchi a shortstop from Purdue. Tennessee took Kristen Wadwell of the Louisville and the Australian National Team (No. 18) for their final pick. At No. 19 pick overall, the Akron Racers pick Kaila Shull Catcher from UCLA. The final pick of the 2010 NPF College Senior Draft Presented by Miken went the Chicago Bandits in choosing, the University of Michigan Angela Findlay.

“It’s always exciting to see College’s top Players come to the next level and play professional fastpitch. I would like to congratulate all 20 women,” says Commissioner Cheri Kempf.

The SEC and PAC-10 conferences led the way for the second consecutive year in this season’s draft with five and four picks, respectively. UCLA, Michigan, and Louisville each had two players taken from the draft.

Re-broadcast information can be found at www.profastpitch.com.

Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until her 2010 season is completed.

Major League Baseball is the Official Development Partner of National Pro Fastpitch in the category of women’s professional fastpitch softball. The partnership, which began the fall of 2002, is part of The Commissioner’s Initiative on Women and Baseball, a league-wide effort to help Major League Baseball and the 30 Major League Clubs build stronger relationships with female audiences.

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The League, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL)

2010 NPF Senior Draft Results

Round 1
1 (1) – USSSA Pride – Charlotte Morgan, Utility, Alabama
2 (2) – Tennessee Diamonds – Molly Johnson, Utility, Kentucky
3 (3) – USSSA Pride – Melissa Roth, Catcher, Lousiville
4 (4) – Chicago Bandits – Nikki Nemetz, Pitcher, Michigan

Round 2
1 (5) – USSSA Pride – Amber Flores, Utility, Oklahoma
2 (6) – Tennessee Diamonds – Becca Heteniak, Pitcher, Depaul
3 (7) – Akron Racers – Sam Marder, Catcher, Ohio State
4 (8) – Chicago Bandits – Amberly Waits, Shortstop, Louisiana Tech

Round 3
1 (9) – USSSA Pride – Francesca Enea, Outfield, Florida
2 (10) – Tennessee Diamonds – Loryn Johnson, Infielder, Texas
3 (11) – Akron Racers – Megan Lagenfeld, Pitcher/1B, UCLA
4 (12) – Chicago Bandits – Neena Bryant, Outfielder, Oregon

Round 4
1 (13) – USSSA Pride – Alissa Haber, Outfielder, Stanford
2 (14) – Tennessee Diamonds – Carly Wynn, Outfielder, FSU
3 (15) – Chicago Bandits – Rachel Mitchell, Outfielder, LSU
4 (16) – Chicago Bandtis – Christine Knauer, Shortstop, UNC

Round 5
1 (17) – Akron Racers – Liane Horiuchi, Shortstop, Purdue
2 (18) – Tennessee Diamonds – Kristen Wadwell, Pitcher, Louisville
3 (19) – Akron Racers – Kaila Shull, Catcher, UCLA
4 (20) – Chicago Bandits – Angela Findlay, Outfielder, Michigan

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Monica Abbott Inks Multi-Year Endorsement Deal With Worth

Fastpitch.US — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:56:25 +0000

ST. LOUIS — Worth Sports has signed Olympic Medalist and pitcher for the NPF’s Florida Pride, Monica Abbott, to a multi-year endorsement contract. Abbott will be endorsing the new Worth 5-Tool product line of training equipment and designing two Monica Abbott signature fielders gloves.

“Monica is acknowledged as one of the greatest pitchers in the fastpitch game,” said Mike Thompson, Senior VP of Marketing at Worth. “Her unparalleled athletic accomplishments are clearly exemplified by her statistical records. Worth is committed to being the best at every level of fastpitch softball. Monica will play a critical role in the development of Worth products for youth and amateur players right up to the highest level of professional players.”

Abbott was one of the key members of the USA Women’s National Team in its run to the Silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Before turning professional as a current member of the National Pro Fastpitch’s Florida Pride, Abbott was a collegiate standout at the University of Tennessee.

Abbott was the 2007 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year and holds NCAA Division I records in: career victory record (189), career shutout record (112), strikeouts (2,440), appearances (253), and single-season strikeouts (724).

“I am thrilled to be working with the Worth team to endorse the Worth 5-Tool Training line and new Monica Abbott signature fielders gloves,” Abbott said. “I have worn a Worth glove since I was a freshman at Tennessee, so I am excited to have my own signature series to wear this year.”

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USSSA Announced The Signing Of Natasha Watley

Fastpitch.US — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:46:25 +0000

Kissimmee, Fla. – The USSSA Florida Pride, a member of the Women’s National Professional Fastpitch League (NPF), announced today that they have signed former Olympic Gold (2004) and Silver (2008) medalist Natasha Watley as a new addition to the Pride’s 2010 roster.

She will be joining fellow Team USA members Jessica Mendoza and Lauren Lappin, also recent signees to the Pride for the 2010 season. The three are welcome additions to a team which already features former Olympians and Team USA members Monica Abbott, Kelly Kretschman, and Caitlin Lowe, as well as recently signed Katie Burkhart, formerly of Arizona State University and the NPF’s Philadelphia Force.

During the 2004 Olympics, Watley assisted the USA Softball Team to their third consecutive gold medal in Athens by breaking the Olympic record for stolen bases and was third on the team with a .400 batting average, with 9 hits and 10 RBI. During the 2008 Olympics, Watley brought home a silver medal after hitting .321 in the leadoff position with two home runs and six RBI. Internationally, Watley is a two-time Pan-American Gold Medalist (2003 & 2007), two time World Champion (2002 & 2006), and three time World Cup Champion (2006, 2007, & 2009).

Watley is a current member of Team Toyota in the Japan Softball League, continuing an international career she began in 2009. Watley joins the USSSA Pride as a continuation of her NPF career. She was a member of the Philadelphia Force during the 2006 season and prior to that was a member of the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut in 2005.

“I’m so excited to be continuing my professional career with the USSSA Pride,” said Watley. “I’m looking forward to an exciting season and the chance to compete with and against some talented athletes”

Not only is Watley a committed and talented athlete, she has taken her success and translated it into an opportunity to help others in her community through the development of the Natasha Watley Foundation. Established to create opportunities for girls in
underserved communities to learn and play the game of softball, the NWF uses the medium of sport to inspire young women to reach their full potential while fostering character development and awareness of social issues that affect women. The NWF focuses on several key concepts including confidence development, women’s health, social issues, and what the foundation refers to as the “4 Points of the Diamond,” core values as defined by the NWF of discipline, dedication, dignity, and duty.

“It has been a blessing starting my non-profit,” said Watley. “Now I have the platform to share my experiences as well as provide opportunities to young women who may not have the resources”

The Pride’s 2010 season will kick off June 9th in Lubbock, Tex. when the team faces the Chicago Bandits at the stadium of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The opening game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. local time. For more information on the Pride, visit www.usssapride.com.

USSSA is headquartered in Kissimmee, Fla. Offering over 13 primary sports programs, including baseball, slow pitch and fastpitch softball and basketball, USSSA has over 3.7 million participants nationwide and is recognized as the nation’s largest multi-sport athletic association.
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The League, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).

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Bandits Trim Roster Ahead Of NPF Draft

Fastpitch.US — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:35:29 +0000

ELGIN, Ill. – Chicago Bandits GM Aaron Moore announced today that the Bandits have released the following players to free-agency: catcher Jamie Schloredt, outfielders Izmena Cabrera and Cheyenne Jenks, shortstop Aileen Morales, pitcher Gina Oaks and pitcher Brandice Balschmiter.

In 2009, Jenks batted 3-for-13 (.231) with a double and two runs scored. She made the team by way of the open tryout in early May. Jenks recently signed on to play softball professionally in Europe during the 2010 season.

Outfielder Izmena Cabrera and catcher Jamie Schloredt both joined the Bandits in 2009 as rookies out of Sacramento State University. Cabrera quickly made an impact off the bench as a clutch hitter in the early parts of the season. In 2009 she batted 6-for-24 (.250) with three RBIs and one stolen base. Schloredt filled in nicely behind the plate, splitting time at the catcher position with Rachel Folden. Schloredt finished 2009 with 15 hits in 61 at-bats for eight RBIs, eight runs and five homeruns. One homerun came early in the season in the form of a game winner off USSSA Pride pitcher Monica Abbott.

Aileen “Boom Boom” Morales split time with the Bandits and team Puerto Rico last year as a member of their National Team. Morales finished the 2009 season with the Bandits by recording a .200 batting average while going 6-for-30 at the plate. She contributed nine runs, five RBIs, one double and one triple.

Pitcher Gina Oaks game back to the Bandits midway through the season last year, filling a void in the rotation left by Team USA pitchers. Oaks saw 4.1 innings of work in the circle for the Bandits and struck out one batter.

Brandice Balschmiter was drafted to the Bandits in 2009 and went 2-0 with 1 save in the circle.. Balschmiter saw 35.1 innings of work and finished with a 2.79 ERA. She was recently selected to the USA Women’s National Team.

Outfielder Laura Harms has also been removed from the roster, as she retired following the end of the 2009 NPF season. Harms played for the Bandits from day one of the franchise’s inception, and she crossed the plate in June of 2005, scoring the first ever run in Bandits history. Harms finished 2009 with a .178 batting average, going 8-for-45 at the plate. Harms scored seven runs last season as well.

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2010 NPF College Senior Draft Presented by MIKEN

Fastpitch.US — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:11:00 +0000

NASHVILLE – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and its four-affiliate teams will hold the 2010 NPF Senior Draft on Wednesday February 10, 2010 at 8PM EST. The broadcast will be live from the Heritage Key Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. This will be the second consecutive year the NPF will broadcast the Draft live but the first time on MLB.com.

“The College Senior Draft is a much anticipated event for the entire League. We are always looking forward to the next talented group of outstanding athletes who will undoubtedly contribute positively the future of the NPF,” stated NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf.

The 2009 Draftees made a huge impact during the NPF Season. Those players included Kaitlin Cochran (Akron) and NPF Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year Tammy Williams (Chicago).

Each team has at least three selections in the five-round draft. The USSSA Pride, the host of the 2010 Draft, will hold six of the 20 overall picks due to a 2009 draft-day trade with the Akron Racers. The order of the Draft is as follows:

First Round:
1 1. USSSA Pride
2. Tennessee Diamonds
3. USSSA Pride from Akron Racers – 2009 trade
4. Chicago Bandits

Second Round:
5. USSSA Pride
6. Tennessee Diamonds
7. Akron Racers
8. Chicago Bandits

Third Round:
9. USSSA Pride
10. Tennessee Diamonds
11. Akron Racers
12. Chicago Bandits

Fourth Round:
13. USSSA Pride
14. Tennessee Diamonds
15. USSSA Pride from Akron Racers – 2009 Trade
16. Chicago Bandits

Fifth Round:
17. USSSA Pride
18. Tennessee Diamonds
19. Akron Racers
20. Chicago Bandits

Visit www.profastpitch.com on February 10th for the LIVE link to watch the DRAFT!

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Bandits Release Fox

Fastpitch.US — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:08:09 +0000

ELGIN – The Chicago Bandits have released infielder Kristie Fox, team General Manager Aaron M. Moore announced today.

Fox, 24, played three seasons with the Bandits after completing her college career at the University of Arizona. Fox finished the 2009 season with a .231 batting average, collecting 24 hits in 104 at-bats. She struck out just five times on the season. During her three seasons in Chicago, Fox was a .265 hitter, collecting 78 hits and seven home runs.

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Bandits Add Trio Of Players To Bolster Roster, Crucial Part Of 2008 Title Run

Fastpitch.US — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:15:36 +0000

ELGIN, IL – The Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announced today that they have signed three high-caliber players for the 2010 season. Players signing today are utility player Emily Friedman and pitcher Jessica Sallinger, and 2010 USA Women’s National Team selection, catcher Ashley Holcombe.

Sallinger was previously drafted by and pitched for the Bandits from 2006-2008, then spent 2009 with the now defunct Philadelphia Force. “I am very excited to be coming back to the Chicago Bandits,” said Sallinger. “This is where my professional career began and where I won a National Championship. I feel like I am coming back home and I am looking forward to another great year and hopefully another Championship as a Bandit!”
In 2008, Sallinger was a workhorse for the Bandits, starting 18 games in the circle, while going 12-6 as a starter and also contributing three saves, one of which came in the Championship Series against the Washington Glory. Sallinger also struck out 107 batters in 120 innings of work, leading the Bandits to the 2008 Cowles Cup trophy.

Behind the plate the Bandits signed WNT selection and 2009 Rockford Thunder rookie catcher Ashley Holcombe. Added for her elite defensive ability, Holcombe split time last season behind the plate defensively for the Thunder. “I’m so thankful and excited about the opportunity to come to Chicago and do what I love—play ball! Chicago is an amazing city and they have great fans. The Bandits have an awesome pitching staff and I’m thrilled to work with each of them and bring the Championship back to the Bandits in 2010!”
Defensively in 2008 at the University of Alabama, Holcombe had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in SEC games and a .988 overall fielding percentage, while throwing out 7-of-20 attempted base stealers with an additional eight pickoffs. During her junior season at Alabama she batted a career best .294 with 13 doubles, 25 RBIs and seven home runs.

Joining Holcombe and Sallinger on the Bandits roster is Sallinger’s former Force teammate Emily Friedman. The right-handed utility player batted .250 in the line-up for Philadelphia as a second baseman, recording 27 hits, 11 RBIs, three doubles and three homeruns. Friedman is expected to play at various positions in the Bandits line-up and will bring a welcome spark to the field.
“It is an honor and privilege to continue my career with the Chicago Bandits in the 2010 season,” said Friedman. “I am extremely excited to be a part of a first-class organization and contribute to building a future for women’s professional softball in the NPF.”

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Bandits set To Take The Northern League By Storm, Battle Of Sexes Set For August 9

Fastpitch.US — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:30:29 +0000

story by Margaret Dixon – Joliet Jackhammers

JOLIET, IL – The Joliet JackHammers announced “Bandits and Boys” today, a Battle of the Sexes exhibition game against the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league. The battle is scheduled for Monday, August 9 at 6:10 p.m.

“We are thrilled to be a part of bringing this event to downtown Joliet this summer,” said JackHammers General Manager Jamie Toole.

The JackHammers will face off against some of the most talented athletes in the NPF, in what is sure to be a great clash of genders. Eileen Canney, a second round draft pick out of Northwestern University, spoke today about the match up at a press conference held by the JackHammers. Canney was a two time Big Ten Pitcher of the year, three time All Big 10 selection, two time First-Team NFCA All-Midwest Region and Big 10 Freshman of the Year honors, as well as leading her team to consecutive World Series appearances.

“The Bandits are excited to take part in another exhibition game with a Northern League team, and we hope to make this an annual event,” says Aaron Moore, General Manager of the Chicago Bandits. “If we can duplicate last year’s game in Schaumburg, everyone would be happy.”

The planning of this event comes on the heels of the Schaumburg Flyers’ success last season. The Flyers drew a record crowd of 8,918 to Alexian Field when they were defeated by the Bandits 4-2. Along with “Bandits and Boys,” the Chicago Bandits also plan to play a regular season game at Silver Cross Field this summer.

Group tickets for “Bandits and Boys” are on sale now. If interested please contact the JackHammers at (815) 726-BALL (2255) or email Jim Rice at jim@jackhammerbaseball.com.

This will be the second Battle of the Sexes game in 2010 for the Chicago Bandits as they will also be facing off with the Rockford Riverhawks on June 17.

Video from today’s press conference, including speeches by Jackhammers GM Jamie Toole, Bandits owner Bill Sokolis, GM Aaron Moore and pitcher Eileen Canney will be up on the web Friday morning.

For more information on the Chicago Bandits and to see the 2010 schedule, visit chicagobandits.com.

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Former Olympian Mendoza Signs With USSSA Florida Pride

Fastpitch.US — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:49:03 +0000

USSSA Florida Pride General Manager, Don DeDonatis, announced today that former Olympic Gold (2004) and Silver (2008) Medalist, Jessica Mendoza has signed a contract to play for the USSSA Florida Pride.

“We are thrilled to sign another amazing athlete of world-class caliber to the USSSA Florida Pride,” commented DeDonatis. “We are committed to putting a top quality team on the field for NPF competition and we are also committed to exposing young softball players across the nation to these extraordinary athletes and people.”

Mendoza joins a Pride program that is moving into their second season of National Pro Fastpitch competition. In 2009, their inaugural season, the Pride went all the way to the Championship game of the NPF’s much heralded, Championship Series, before falling to the Series Champion, Rockford Thunder.

“I am excited to be a part of the NPF family and help the future of girls and women in sports through the success of professional fast pitch softball,” said Mendoza. “I can’t wait to reach and educate thousands more girls and their families about the NPF and the future it holds for them to continue their dreams in the sport of softball.”

Mendoza is one of the most recognized players in fastpitch softball. She is a graduate of Stanford University where she was a 4 time NFCA First Team All American, 4 time All Pac 10 First Team member, 2000 Pac 10 Player of the Year, and 3 time Stanford Athlete of the Year.

Mendoza became a member of Team USA in 2001. As a Team USA member, she was a large contributor to the Athens “Dream Team” that captured the Gold Medal in 2004, and a member of the Silver Medalist Team of 2008 in Beijing, China. Overall for Team USA, Mendoza has earned two Pan-Am Gold Medals, 2 World Cup Championships, and 2 World Championships along with the Olympic medals. In 2006, Mendoza was named USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year.

Mendoza joins a star-studded roster in Florida along with recent signee and fellow Stanford and Olympic teammate, Lauren Lappin. Other former Olympians include outfielders Kelly Kretschman and Caitlin Lowe, shortstop Natasha Watley, and pitching phenom, Monica Abbott. Additionally, Florida has recently signed NCAA standout, Katie Burkhart, formerly of Arizona State and the NPF’s Philadelphia Force.

In addition to Mendoza’s softball resume, she is also a color analyst for ESPN and is currently the President of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

The USSSA Florida Pride will open NPF action on June 9th, in Lubbock Texas at the stadium of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. To find complete information about the USSSA Florida Pride and other NPF action, visit www.usssapride.com.

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RiverHawks vs. Bandits In “Battle of the Sexes”

Fastpitch.US — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:02:25 +0000

LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford RiverHawks have scheduled a game against some of the best ballplayers in the world, but it might not be the ballplayers you expected. It won’t even be the ballgame you might have expected.

The RiverHawks and the Chicago Bandits of National Pro Fastpitch announced jointly Wednesday that the teams have scheduled the “Battle of the Sexes” – an exhibition fastpitch softball – game for 7:05 p.m. Thursday, June 17 at Road Ranger Stadium.

The Bandits are members of the country’s only women’s professional softball league. A number of team members have represented the United States in the Olympics. Among them is Jennie Finch, a member of the 2004 gold medalists. The RiverHawks are members of the Northern League, an eight-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 18th season in 2010.

“It’s a joint contest where we are hosting them here, but it’s benefitting both organizations, because we are doing a revenue split on our ticket sales,” RiverHawks general manager Josh Olerud said.

The RiverHawks will treat the event like a normal game day, with the regular Thursday promotion, Dollar Beer Night, and their normal in-game promos, such as sumo wrestling and the dizzy bat race.

Tickets for the game are at normal prices, starting at just $5. They can be purchased beginning immediately. To order tickets, email brads@rockfordriverhawks.com.

This inspiration for the event, planned by Olerud and Bandits GM Aaron Moore, was the success of a similar game last year between the Bandits and the Schaumburg Flyers, another Northern League team. The game, a 4-2 Bandits win, drew a record crowd of 8,918 to Schaumburg’s Alexian Field.

“Once that happened, Aaron and I started dialogue back when he was the GM of the Thunder and with his softball ties here locally, and with the Bandits being kind of the face of professional fastpitch, I think we’re going to have similar success to what they saw last year,” Olerud said.

Moore held the same role with the Rockford Thunder, another NPF team which has since left the Stateline.

The game takes place on what would otherwise be an off day for each team. For the RiverHawks, it takes place between road series at Schaumburg and Gary. The Elgin-based Bandits are scheduled to open their season with a series June 9-13 in Lubbock, Texas. They’ll resume play with a homestand against Akron June 20-22.

Despite playing on what would have been an off day, the RiverHawks said they will be taking the competition seriously.

“We will be signing two men’s fastpitch pitchers to join us that day,” Olerud said. “They will pitch for us, because we’re playing to win.”

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2010 NPF Schedule Released

Fastpitch.US — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:40:33 +0000

Nashville – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League Commissioner Cheri Kempf announced today the schedule for the 2010 season for the League’s four affiliate teams.

Four Teams will compete in the 2010 Season, one less with the loss of the Philadelphia Force. The Rockford Thunder also discontinued play, however the roster was passed to the latest NPF Franchise, the Tennessee Diamonds. Each team in the League will play a 50-game regular season schedule with all teams playing each other a minimum of 15 games.

The 2010 season will begin on Wednesday, June 9th with the Akron Racers traveling to NPF’s newest expansion Team, the Tennessee Diamonds. The Chicago Bandits, 2009 regular season Champion, will travel to Lubbock, TX to play the Florida Pride during opening week. The regular season will finish on August 22nd prior to the Championships in Sulphur, LA on August 26th-29th.

“There is plenty of NPF action this summer with 100 games slated for 2010 Season. Once again we expect to see the best competition in fastpitch softball between the Game’s greatest Players of the World,” stated Commissioner Kempf.

The National Pro Fastpitch League streamed over 80 games on MLB.com in 2009. For 2010, the NPF will again be streaming our games live. A full schedule will be released in the upcoming weeks.

The regular season standings will crown a regular-season champion. The four teams will earn the right to play in the NPF Championship Series. The Series will be played in Sulphur Louisiana and will be held August 26-29 at McMurry Park in Sulphur. The event will be hosted by, and with the cooperation of, the Sulphur Parks and Recreation Department and the support of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Additional information on each team’s schedule can be found by navigating to their individual websites from www.profastpitch.com.

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Tennessee Diamonds National Pro Fastpitch Softball Team Announced

Fastpitch.US — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:13:37 +0000

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) League announced today that a new professional women’s softball team, the Tennessee Diamonds, has been franchised and will begin play in 2010 in Blount County, Tenn. The last time a professional sports team operated in Blount County, Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the United States.

“This is an exciting announcement for National Pro Fastpitch,” said Cheri Kempf, Commissioner of the National Pro Fastpitch League. “Tennessee is a fantastic location for this new team. The addition of the Diamonds adds an expansion team geographically in a great southern spot for the League — and the fact that it is located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains will offer fans additional entertainment options while taking in a Diamonds game.”

“East Tennessee is known throughout the country for its support of women’s athletics through the Lady Vols and, of course, the legendary Pat Summitt. Ralph and Karen Weekly and their Lady Vols team introduced successful softball to the area and in turn, the fanbase has grown for the sport. This will be a great home for the Diamonds.”

Sarah Fekete, a former Maryville High School and University of Tennessee softball standout who later played professionally for the Philadelphia Force, will be the General Manager of the Tennessee Diamonds.

Fekete, a native of Maryville, was instrumental in the tremendous 2006 Tennessee Lady Vols softball season. A Lady Vol softball center fielder, she was named a 2006 NFCA First-Team All-American and led the nation in hitting with a staggering .500 (110-of-220) batting average. Fekete was selected as the 2006 Lady Vol Athlete of the Year and was nominated for the SEC Female Athlete of the Year.

During 2006, Fekete set a new SEC record for single-season hits (110) and completed her career as the all-time Tennessee leader in batting average, on-base percentage and stolen bases, while finishing second in all-time runs scored and hits. She went on to play for the NPF’s Philadelphia Force professional softball team for three seasons and in 2009 was named to ESPN’s “All-Decade Softball Team.”

“Bringing professional softball to my hometown is amazing,” Fekete said. “Most people don’t realize that there are more young women playing softball in this country than there are young men who play Little League Baseball. It’s a fantastic sport and it does great things for young athletes – having the Diamonds based here will do wonders for the sport and for local players and fans. It truly is a family-oriented, fan-based sport and a perfect fit for East Tennessee.”

The Tennessee Diamonds’ franchise agreement with the National Pro Fastpitch League was finalized on Dec. 29, 2009. The team may have a permanent home in the Ripken baseball and softball complex, but will play its first season at a temporary facility in Blount County. With the franchise agreement, the Tennessee Diamonds also obtained rights to the Rockford Thunder roster which includes softball superstar Cat Osterman. The new team is currently working on contract renewals with Rockford Thunder players and should release player information soon.

Karen Weekly, co-head coach of the UT Lady Volunteers softball team, said, “Ralph and I are excited to welcome a NPF franchise to Knoxville. It’s important that our outstanding college softball players have the opportunity to continue their careers at the professional level. Our Lady Vol program has enjoyed tremendous fan support, and I’m sure those fans will be thrilled to get behind professional softball as well. This is a great day for softball in Knoxville and the entire state of Tennessee.”

USSSA Chairman of the Board and CEO, and fellow NPF Team Owner, Don DeDonatis, said, “USSSA could not be more pleased and excited that the Tennessee Diamonds have selected the Knoxville area as their permanent home. Knoxville and its surrounding communities have a rich tradition of supporting world class sporting events, such as the USSSA Smoky Mountain Classic, and I am certain that the NPF and women’s professional fastpitch softball will be an overwhelming success.”

“I look forward to the challenge that the Diamonds will present on the field when the USSSA Florida Pride comes to town. Monica Abbott against Cat Osterman — it just doesn’t get any better than that.”

Pro softball captured the attention of fastpitch fans worldwide when it was started in 1997. Since then, what was originally called the Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL) has regularly showcased an unparalleled brand of fastpitch softball played by the world’s best female athletes.

Kempf said, “Fastpitch softball was an overwhelmingly popular sport fan-wise at the Olympic level. With the absence of softball as a medal sport in the Olympics, the time is right for professional fastpitch softball to take a position as a viable career opportunity for these talented young women.”

The last professional team to call Blount County home was the Maryville-Alcoa Twins, the Class D Minor League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Twins played at Hunt Field, a 3,000-seat stadium on Hunt Road across from the Alcoa North Plant, before the team moved to Morristown in 1954. Some of the stadium’s foundation can still be found on Alcoa property on Hunt Road.

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2008 Olympian Lappin Enters NPF Competition

Fastpitch.US — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:41:40 +0000

Nashville – National Pro Fastpitch announces the signing of 2008 Olympic Team Member, Lauren Lappin, to the USSSA Florida Pride. Lappin, a silver medalist for Team USA in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, will be a rookie this season in the National Pro Fastpitch League.

Lappin will join former Olympic Team teammates, Caitlin Lowe, Kelly Kretschman, and Monica Abbott on the newly purchased USSSA Florida Pride roster.

Lappin was a 2006 graduate of Stanford University where she was a four time All Pac 10 Selection, two time Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year, a 2004 WCWS All Tournament Team selection, and a two time NFCA All American.

Lappin was an alternate for the US Olympic Team in 2004 before joining Team USA as a full team member in 2008. Lappin is a utility player defensively as a catcher, shortstop, and outfielder. Offensively, Lappin can hit for power from the right side and also slap for speed from the left side.

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APF Client And ESPY Winner Taryne Mowatt Signs With Akron Racers Of NPF

Fastpitch.US — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:23:05 +0000

Former College World Series MVP Returns to Fastpitch Pro League After a Year on PFX Tour

AKRON, OH – Former University of Arizona star pitcher Taryne Mowatt (Corona, CA), the 2007 Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player and a two-time ESPY winner, has signed a professional playing contract with the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), Racers General Manager Joey Arrietta announced today. The contract is guaranteed for two years with a mutual option for year three. Financial terms were not disclosed per All-Pro Fastpitch (APF) and Racers policy.

“I’m’ thrilled to be coming back to the NPF,” said Mowatt, who played for the league’s Washington Glory in 2008 before spending the 2009 season on the Pro Fastpitch Xtreme (PFX) Tour. “I really missed the competitive atmosphere the NPF provides as well as the opportunity to pitch against the best players in the world. Joey and Akron have been involved with professional fastpitch since day one, and I know how much she and the city care about the game, so this was an easy decision for me.”

Added Arrietta: “I was really hoping that Taryne was going to return to the league. She’s an incredible talent and a marketable player who always has performed her best in the most pressure-packed situations. I am really excited to add her to a pitching staff that includes 2008 college player of the year and two-time All-NPF selection Angela Tincher. It’s going to be an exciting season at Firestone Stadium.”

Mowatt played for the Washington Glory in 2008, helping lead that team to the NPF Championship Series, before signing to play on the PFX Tour in 2009. She was named the 2007 WCWS Most Outstanding Player after leading Arizona to its second consecutive and eighth overall national championship. Mowatt enjoyed one of the most remarkable weeks of pitching in the history of the sport during that WCWS, recording eight complete games (6-2) and pitching 60 innings while throwing 1,035 pitches over a seven-day span. She was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) second-team All-American that year and captured a pair of ESPY Awards – one as the top college athlete and another as the top overall female athlete. Mowatt set the University of Arizona single-season records for innings pitched (370), strikeouts (522) and victories (42). She went 42-12, starting 53 of 65 games, with a 1.46 ERA. Mowatt concluded her career with 1,267 strikeouts, second in Arizona history and among the all-time NCAA top 20.

Akron finished third in the 2009 NPF Championship Series after placing second in the regular season with a 26-14 Mark. The Racers, who have finished second in four of the past six regular seasons, begin play again in June 2010 with former U.S. Olympian and National Team member Crystl Bustos taking over as manager.

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2010 NPF Championship Tickets Released

Fastpitch.US — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:23:30 +0000

Nashville – The National Pro Fastpitch and TicketLeap are excited to announce that All Session Tickets are now available to purchase. The Series will be played in Sulphur Louisiana and will be held August 26-29 at McMurry Park in Sulphur. The event will be hosted by, and with the cooperation of, the Sulphur Parks and Recreation Department and the support of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The NPF Championship Series is the League’s hallmark event and is designed to feature the League’s outstanding talent in a playoff/tournament format. The top four Team finishers in the regular season League standings qualify for the Championship Series. The format is a best of 3 series between the #1 and #4 seed, along with a best of 3 series between the #2 and #3 seeds, with the winners of those two series’ facing off in a best of 3 Championship final. This will be the first time the event will be held in the state of Louisiana.

The Championship Series will have three different ticket types. Series pass tickets go on sale December 1, 2009. Single Game tickets will go on sale June 1, 2010. Tickets types are as follows:

* Premier Seats – $14.00 per ticket and $84.00 for a Series pass – Seats are directly behind home plate and covered. These seats are not assigned and are on a first come first served basis.

* General Admission Tickets (1st and 3rd Base sides) – $12.00 per game and $72.00 (potential of a $30.00 savings). These seats are along the first and third base lines and are bleacher seating. These seats are not assigned and are on a first come first served basis.

* Outfield Tickets – $10.00 per game and $60.00 (potential of a $30.00 savings) for a series pass – These seats are along the outfield fence and are bleacher seating. These seats are not assigned and are on a first come first served basis.

Tickets for the Championship Series go on sale, Tuesday, December 1st at 1:00 PM ET. Fans can call the National Pro Fastpitch Office at 615-232-2900 or purchase them online by visiting profastpitch.ticketleap.com.

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Mowatt Signs With All Pro Fastpitch

Fastpitch.US — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:07:09 +0000

FORMER ARIZONA SOFTBALL STAR AND ESPY WINNER TARYNE MOWATT SIGNS WITH APF
2-Time National Champion to be Managed and Represented by All-Pro Fastpitch

Sparks, MD – Former University of Arizona star pitcher Taryne Mowatt (Corona, CA), the 2007Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player and a two-time ESPY winner, has signed acontract to be managed and represented by Maryland-based All-Pro Fastpitch, a division of API Sports Management & Marketing, it was announced today. Mowatt joins 2008 NCAA Player of the Year Angela Tincher, who has been represented by API since February, and recently signed APFclients Samantha Banister (Akron Racers/NPF), Sari Jenkins (Akron Racers/NPF), Callista Balko (U of Arizona/former NPF) Jenae Leles (U of Arizona/U.S. National Team/Rockford Thunder NPF), MeganWillis (U of Texas/Rockford Thunder NPF), Jennifer Martinez (U of Arizona) and Kelsey HoffmanSchmitt (Akron Racers/NPF).

APF has been established to provide elite softball players with avenues to make a comfortable livingthrough continued involvement in their sport. Not only will APF assist players with their contractnegotiations, marketing and appearances, but it also will develop camps, clinics, tournaments andother business opportunities for professional fastpitch athletes around the country. APF truly is The Future of Professional Softball.

“We are very excited to welcome a recognizable and accomplished athlete such as Taryne to thegrowing APF family,” said Scott Lowe, CEO/Partner of APF and API. “The combination of her eliteathletic ability, on-field success and outgoing personality make her an extremely marketableathlete on and off the field. Taryne is a great addition to the fantastic group of athletes and peoplewho now are represented by APF.

”Mowatt played for the Washington Glory in 2008, helping lead that team to the NPF title, before signing to play on the PFX Tour in 2009. She was named the 2007 WCWS Most Outstanding Playerafter leading Arizona to its second consecutive and eighth overall national championship. Mowattenjoyed one of the most remarkable weeks of pitching in the history of the sport during that WCWS, recording eight complete games (6-2) and pitching 60 innings while throwing 1,035 pitches over a seven-day span. She was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) second-team All-Americanthat year and captured a pair of ESPY Awards – one as the top college athlete and another as the top overall female athlete. In addition, she earned first-team All-Pac-10 and All-Pacific Region honors andwas a four-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week. Mowatt set the University of Arizona single-season records for innings pitched (370), strikeouts (522) and victories (42). She went 42-12, starting 53 of65 games, with a 1.46 ERA. She concluded her career with 1,267 strikeouts, second in Arizona history and among the all-time NCAA top 20

USSSA Purchases National Pro Fastpitch Franchise

Fastpitch.US — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:50:32 +0000

NASHVILLE – The National Pro Fastpitch League announced today that the world’s largest amateur sports association has finalized their purchase of an NPF franchise. The USSSA Florida Pride will be at home at the association headquarters in Kissimmee, Fla.

During the 2009 NPF Season, the USSSA managed the team entity known as the Pride, but yesterday finalized their commitment to the women’s professional fastpitch softball by inking the deal. USSSA became involved shortly before the NPF season last year and saw their Pride Team go all the way to the finals of the Championship Series, finishing second to the Rockford Thunder.

“The involvement on the ownership level of the USSSA is a game-changer for women’s professional fastpitch softball,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “For an organization of this size and influence to join the National Pro Fastpitch team is a great day for the future of this game at the professional level.”

The USSSA Pride had a star studded line-up last season that included former Olympians Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe and Monica Abbott. Kretschman and Abbott both cut their teeth on highly competitive SEC softball, while Lowe was twice an NCAA National Champion at the University of Arizona.

“The USSSA has taken a very important step in the transition from being involved with the NPF and the USSSA Pride as a managing partner to actually owning and operating the team. We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity of managing and running the franchise prior to making the decision to permanently acquire it,” stated Don DeDonatis, Chairman/CEO of the USSSA. “Clearly, I was very impressed with the league and the foundation on which it is built, along with the talented group of players that are playing in the NPF as a whole. Top to bottom it is showcases the best talent in the world,” continued DeDonatis. “The NPF & USSSA are both striving to expand and grow the interest in fastpitch softball. We are very excited and are looking forward to the 2010 season.”

The 2010 NPF Season runs from June 3rd through August 29th. The Season will culminate in the 2010 with its hallmark Championship Series event hosted in Sulphur, La August 26th-29th.

Atlanta To Get Pro Softball Team

Fastpitch.US — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:28:18 +0000

Atlanta is getting a professional women’s softball team.

A group of investors has signed a letter of intent with the National Pro Fastpitch softball league to bring the Rockford Thunder – a six-year-old franchise from Rockford, Ill. – to the area, Atlanta attorney Preston Delashmit said.

Delashmit and his family would be the majority owners, he said. He declined to disclose financial terms of the deal.

The deal is pending league approval, Delashmit said.

The Rockford franchise won the 2009 league championship. The current owner, an Illinois attorney, said in August he had three children entering college and “we just have too much on our plate to continue to operate the Thunder at the level it deserves.”

Delashmit said he would buy the assets from the attorney but also has to acquire the franchise rights from the league.

He would like to keep the “Thunder” name but must confirm that it’s not already being used.

“It would have been simpler if we had bought the team and it had stayed in Rockford, but the whole idea is to relocate to Atlanta,” he said. “We’d like to keep the team intact as much as possible.”

Delashmit said he hopes the team will play at Kennesaw State University, which recently bought 88 acres for intramural and club sports fields as well as an 8,300-seat stadium.

The Fastpitch pro softball league was formed 18 years ago in Boulder, Colo and is now based in Tennessee. Besides Rockford, there are teams in Akron, Ohio; Chicago; Kissimmee, Fla.; and Allentown, Pa.

The Rockford franchise started in Houston as the Texas Thunder. It was moved to Northern Illinois three years later.

Delashmit’s daughter has been playing softball since age 5 and is a freshman outfielder at Georgia Tech. He said his plans were to bring a team to Atlanta in two or three years but when the Rockford team was for sale, he decided to take advantage. He met with the coaches at Georgia Tech – assistant coach Aileen Morales played for the Chicago Bandits for two years – and “started talking about how we could pull this together.”

The season starts again in June. For Delashmit, a project that was going to take maybe two years now has to come together in about 30 days, he said.

“We’re hoping to be able to pull this off and keep more of our southern athletes here and close to home,” he said. “A lot of these players, who are now elsewhere, played in the SEC and the ACC.”

Source The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Southern Division For NPF Coming Soon?

Fastpitch.US — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:57:03 +0000

When The National Pro Fastpitch League first started up a few years back, I was caught off guard by the locations of their teams. Texas had a team which was exactly what I expected. I had hoped it would be in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

The surprise was the rest of the league being located up North. I guess really more in the Northeast. I know softball is popular in the Northeast, but I do not think of that area as a hot bed for softball. When I think of softball I think of California, Florida, Oklahoma, and of course Texas. I think of the southern part of the country. That is the part of the country that has really been left out of The National Pro Fastpitch League.

I think that may be getting ready to change. As you know The National Pro Fastpitch League announced a partnership with the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) that brought the Glory to central Florida last year. Now the word is out that a group out of Georgia is trying to bring a a National Pro Fastpitch Team to that state. Then if you add the fact that The National Pro Fastpitch League announced their Championships would be held in Louisiana next year, and what do you have?

I say you have the start of a southern division. I called Cheri Kempf, The President/Commissioner of The National Pro Fastpitch League, she would not confirm my thoughts, but did agree that the South would be a good place for teams to play. That the fans had a good knowledge of fastpitch softball.

I don’t have any insider information. I am just adding it up, and 2 plus 2 equals a southern division to me.