PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) — In 111 days 16 countries will begin vying to be called “number 1.” Thus, preparations are nearing a fever pitch in Caracas, Venezuela, which will host the International Softball Federation’s XII Women’s World Championship from June 23-July 2.

A 2010 World Championship Coordination Commission has just returned from a visit this past weekend to the South American country. ISF Secretary General Ms. LOW Beng Choo (Malaysia) headed the group that visited for two days with Venezuelan Sports Minister Victoria Mata, General Alirio Ramirez, Colonel Benavidez, and several organizing committee representatives, along with ISF VP/Latin America Jésus Suniaga, who is also the president of the Venezuela Softball Federation.

The meetings covered topics ranging from transportation and accommodations to security, and several other aspects of the event planning, including television broadcasts. The delegation also visited the playing facilities and another meeting has been scheduled in Caracas for the first week of May.

The seedings have also now been set for the fast pitch tournament, in accordance with the ISF Competition & Technical Code. The teams will be in two pools, as follows:

POOL A POOL B
Japan USA
Canada Australia
Chinese Taipei China
Netherlands Venezuela
Great Britain New Zealand
South Africa Botswana
Argentina Dominican Republic
Cuba Czech Republic

The game schedule has not yet been finalized but will be released immediately upon its conclusion.

This year’s event marks the 45th anniversary of the first-ever softball world championship (see commemorative logo below). Five women’s teams competed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1965, and one year later the first men’s world championship was held (eleven countries competed in Mexico City). Eventually world championships were also started in the junior women’s and junior men’s categories (age 19-and-under).

The ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and SportAccord (formerly the General Association of International Sports Federations). Softball (women’s fast pitch) made its Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 128 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

(Surrey, BC.) With the recent announcement of the cancellation of the Women’s Division of the 2010 Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament, the original Host Team, the White Rock Renegades, will continue what the Canada Cup Host Committee worked so hard to achieve with their two youth divisions by forming a new committee to host the 2010 Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship. This will include a Futures (U19) Division and a Showcase (16U) Division.
The 2010 Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship will be held from July 5 – 11 in Surrey, British Columbia and will carry on the Canada Cup spirit of promoting the development of the great game of softball by helping young female athletes reach for their personal best.

“We decided as the Host organization that we would take on the challenge of continuing the Futures and Showcase tournaments for 2010 and give elite teams who wanted the chance to compete, the chance to do so,” stated Greg Timm, President of the White Rock Renegades and Chairman of the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship.

“We’re doing so because we want to help the young athletes of today as well as honor Glen Todd’s vision and tireless work towards the development of the youth of the sport.”

Todd was the Chair and Founder of the Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament and Founder of the White Rock Renegades.
Timm was also the co-chair of the Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament since its inception.

This seven (7) day event will feature many elite level youth teams vying for the title of 2010 Canadian Open Fastpitch International Champion! These elite teams will compete on the diamonds at Softball City and Cloverdale Athletic Park showing spectators just how inspiring the future of the sport can be.
With plenty of events, continuous entertainment, and a week chock-full of high caliber fastpitch competition, the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship will be a fun-filled event for the whole family.

The plans for this year’s event also features a Canada/USA Women’s national team exhibition series to run Thursday, July 8 to Sunday, July 11. Schedule and more details to be announced at a later date.

For further information on the tournament visit www.canadianopenfastpitch.com or call 604.536.9287.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Senior second baseman Jen Yee has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week for games played between February 22-28.

Yee powered her way to a .545 batting average last week by going 12-for-22 with six home runs, eight runs and 14 RBIs. She also walked twice and had one stolen base.

The North Delta, B.C.’ native came up with clutch hits for the Yellow Jackets on three separate occasions on the week. Against Arkansas, the senior had her first multi-home run game in a Georgia Tech uniform and had the game-winning home run against Central Florida. Yee also hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning versus Iowa to give her team the lead for the first time since trailing 5-0.
Yee had a 1.333 slugging percentage and a .550 on-base percentage at the 2010 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic, where she took home tournament most valuable player honors.

No. 12 Georgia Tech finished the week at 5-1 behind Yee’s performance and is currently 13-2 on the season.

OTHER TOP PERFORMANCES
Ball State’s Elizabeth Millian went 3-0 with a save, a no-hitter and did not allow any runs over a 4-1 week for the Cardinals… Washington’s Nikki Williams hit .588 with four home runs and 11 RBIs, pacing her team to a 5-0 record… Nadia Taylor of Texas hit .583 with three multi-hit, multi RBI games as the Longhorns went 3-2… East Carolina’s Toni Paisley had a 0.00 ERA over four games as her team went 4-0… Kenzie Fowler led Arizona to a perfect 5-0 week with 36 strikeouts and five wins.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – For the third time in four weeks, the Washington Huskies received all 30 first-place votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll . The Huskies have now held the No. 1 spot for four consecutive editions of the poll.

Arizona, Florida and UCLA held on to their spots from last week in second, third and fifth, respectively. Missouri joined the Top 5 at fourth this week, bumping previous No. 4 Michigan down three spots to seventh.

Illinois and Oklahoma State both make their 2010 Top 25 debuts in this week’s poll at No. 21 and No. 25, forcing last week’s No. 23 Northwestern and No. 25 North Carolina out of the poll.

The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference.

The next USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll will be released Tuesday, March 9.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America is pleased to announce the roster and schedule for the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team, which will kick off the season with exhibition games in Ohio, June 16-17. The team consists of 14 members from the 2009 USA Softball National Team who helped capture the Canada Cup and World Cup of Softball Gold Medals during 2009.

In addition to the 14 returnees, 2004 Olympic Champion and 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.) makes her return to USA Softball after taking a year off for the birth of her child. Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.) makes her first-ever appearance on a USA Softball roster while Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.) is in her first year as a National Team member after representing the USA at the Pan American Qualifier last year.

The complete roster includes:
Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.)
Chelsea Bramlett (Cordova, Tenn.)
Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.)
Ashley Charters (Beaverton, Ore.)
Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.)
Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.)
Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.)
Vicky Galindo (Union City, Calif.)
Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.)
Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.)
Ashley Holcombe (Fayetteville, Ga.)
Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.)
Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.)
Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.)
Cat Osterman (Houston,Texas)
Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.)
Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.)

The schedule of events starts with two exhibition games, June 16 at Thurman Munson Stadium in Canton, Ohio and June 17 at Brookside Park in Ashland, Ohio. The two exhibition games will feature a matchup of the USA Softball Women’s National Team and the USA Futures Team (roster to be announced at a later date). Go to http://www.ohioasasoftball.org for more information on the exhibition games.

Less than a year after winning the Pan American Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, USA Softball will head back to Venezuela to defend their World Championship at the ISF World Championships in Caracas, Venezuela. The World Championship is June 21-July 3 with USA looking for their ninth Gold Medal.

Canada will next play host to the USA at the Canadian Open Fast Pitch International Championship, July 7-11, in Surrey, B.C. and exhibition games in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 13-14.

The USA will bring it home for its fans, July 22-26, with the World Cup of Softball 5. The World Cup is one of the premier events in International Softball and will bring together 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Japan, Canada, USA Futures and three-time Olympic Gold Medalists USA. A complete schedule of events can be found at http://www.usasoftball.com/news.asp?uid=5415.

The final event on the schedule will be the Japan Cup, August 3-9, in Sendai City, Japan. The USA will look to defend their title after defeating Japan 2-0 in last year’s Japan Cup Championship Game.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Senior catcher Katie Bartlett of Missouri-St. Louis and senior pitcher Katie Petersen of Midwestern St., have been named as the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for games played Feb. 15-21.

Bartlett went 8-for-14 over four games and helped guide her team to a 3-1 record on the week. She finished the week with a .571 batting average, four runs, six RBIs, a double and a home run.

The Des Moines, Iowa, native gave the Tritons a fighting chance in their lone loss of the week against Union (Tenn.) by tying the game in the top of the seventh with a solo home run. UMSL won its final three games at the Union (Tenn.) Three Team Weekend to start the season at 3-1.

In the circle, Petersen led Midwestern to a perfect 5-0 record on the week by not allowing her opponents to score a single run during each of her two appearances, which included a seven-inning perfect game against Western New Mexico.

The senior from Plano allowed just three hits, no runs and four walks while striking out 21 over 14.0 innings of work.

Petersen now has 26 career shutouts and with the victory over West Texas A&M, she became the Mustangs’ all-time leader in wins with 69.

After going 5-for-5 at last week’s Holiday Inn at the Falls MSU Invitational, Midwestern is now 8-2 on the year.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Despite suffering their first loss of the season last week, the Washington Huskies held on to the top spot in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll for the third consecutive poll. Arizona, Florida and Michigan maintained their respective positions at two, three and four, while UCLA moved into the top five for the first time this season.

Baylor, who came in at No. 25 last week, was the only team to drop from the poll and was replaced by the lone newcomer, Texas A&M, at No. 24.

The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. 2010 records are shown, first-place votes are in parentheses.

The next USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll will be released Tuesday, March 2.

Click To Watch Washingtons Head coach Heather Tarr Interviewed on The Fastpitch TV Show
———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

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.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Freshman pitcher/first baseman Melissa Martinez of New Mexico Highlands has been named the first Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player of the Week of the 2010 season.

In the first two weeks of the season, Martinez excelled both at the plate and in the circle. Through the first nine games of the season, Martinez posted a .372 batting average with 11 runs, 16 RBIs, one double and seven home runs.

The Albuquerque, N.M., native jumpstarted her collegiate career by completing two amazing feats in back-to-back games.

In her first-ever collegiate at bat, Martinez went yard against Eastern New Mexico. Since then, Martinez has added six more homers to her tally, including a three home-run performance against Grand Canyon. For the season, Martinez has a slugging percentage of 1.269.

In the second game of the season-opening doubleheader against Eastern New Mexico, Martinez took to the circle and threw a no-hitter in the first start of her collegiate career. Martinez retired 21 of 23 batters faced, while striking out 10.

After the no-hitter, Martinez continued to excel as a pitcher by recording 27 strikeouts through 20.2 innings of work.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Senior Danielle Lawrie of Washington has been named as the NCAA Division I Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week for games played during the week of Feb. 11-14.

Lawrie, who split time between pitcher and designated player, was 6-for-15 at the plate on the week with five runs, nine RBIs and four home runs, including a grand slam against Cal State Northridge.

The Langley, B.C. native was equally effective from the circle, as she threw 21 shutout innings over three complete games. Lawrie also recorded the first Division I perfect game of the 2010 season in the Huskies’ season-opener against Auburn. Lawrie allowed just four hits and one walk on the week, while recording 45 strikeouts.

Lawrie helped guide No. 1 Washington to a 5-0 record at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., allowing the Huskies to hold on to the top spot in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll for the second consecutive poll.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

STARKVILLE, Miss. – On the strength of a 5-0 opening weekend record, Washington received all 30 first place votes for the second-consecutive week to lead the first USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll of the 2010 regular season. Fellow unbeaten Arizona jumped four spots to claim the No. 2 position in the poll, while Florida, Michigan and Arizona St. rounded out the top five, respectively.

DePaul was the only team to fall out of the poll this week dropping from No. 21, while Texas was the only addition and joined the fray at No. 20.

The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll is voted on by NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. 2010 records are shown, first-place votes are in parentheses.

The next USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) and USA Softball are pleased to announce that Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.) and Matt Palazzo (Des Moines, Iowa) were named the USA Softball Female and Male Athlete of the year, respectively, for their accomplishments during the 2009 season.

Finch saw time as both a pitcher and at first base on defense and made an impact at the plate on offense. Finch’s hits in the Championship Game of both the Japan Cup and Canada Cup secured the USA victory. She was voted the Japan Cup MVP after she not only threw a one-hitter to defending Olympic Gold Medalist Japan but also drove in the only two runs scored, with a double, to help lead the team to a 2-0 victory. In the Championship game of the Canada Cup with two outs left in the seventh, Finch hit a walk-off single that would push a run across the plate and give the United States a 3-2 victory.

Offensively, Finch was in the Top five in all three events in batting average with a summer average of .447. Her best event was at the World Cup of Softball where Finch hit .500 with a home run and three runs scored. During the summer of 2009, she made an appearance in all 18 games with 17 starts with three home runs and 17 hits. As a pitcher, she was 5-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Finch allowed only two earned runs in 26.0 innings pitched.

“I am completely honored all the way around to not only play for our great country but also to be recognized out of a group of extremely talented athletes. I am surrounded by amazing women and feel blessed to be a part of USA Softball,” said Finch. “I feel privileged to still have the opportunity to play the game I love at this stage in my life. Just to wear USA across my chest is a great honor and I am grateful for the opportunities I continue to have.”

Palazzo helped lead the USA Softball Men’s National team to a fourth-place finish at the ISF Men’s World Championships in Saskatoon, Canada, with a 7-3 record. He led the team with a .444 average (12-for-27) and was the only player to record more than one home run with four homers. At the plate, he contributed 11 RBI, scoring nine runs. He was near perfect on defense, making only one error.

“This summer was amazing to be able to compete among great International opponents at the World Championships. Seeing the different cultures, styles of play and at such a high level is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. To wear red, white and blue and represent your country is such an amazing thing and I can’t wait to get out there and compete again,” said Palazzo who admitted he was smiling away after he heard the news. “I am very shocked and pleased to earn this honor. I worked extremely hard last year and thought I had a great year but didn’t expect this. Just to be in the same category as an athlete like Jennie Finch is an honor in itself.”

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

Defending national champion Messiah received all eight first-place votes, taking the No. 1 spot in the preseason NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll, the association announced Wednesday.

Messiah will again be led by sophomore Jessica Rhoads, who dominated the national championship tournament both from the rubber and at the plate, culminating in the school’s first national championship and a 43-4 overall record. East Texas Baptist and Ohio Northern begin 2010 sharing the No. 2 spot. ETBU went 39-9 a year ago, while Ohio Northern returns all but one starter to a team that made its first appearance at the national championship. Fellow championship participant Cortland State starts at No. 4, and national championship runner-up Coe, which finished 41-13 a season ago, rounds out the top five.

With a 2009 third place finish nationally, Gustavus Adolphus starts at No. 6, while No. 7 Washington-St. Louis returns all but two starters to a squad that finished 27-13. National championship participant Salisbury begins at No. 8, while 2008 championship runner-up Wisconsin-Whitewater takes the nine spot. Another national championship rookie a year ago, Texas-Tyler rounds out the top 10.

Nos. 11, 12, and 13, respectively, Coast Guard Academy, Illinois Wesleyan and Bridgewater were all a step away from making a trip to the national tournament last season, while No. 14 DePauw returns both pitchers to a team that finished 32-9 a year ago. Another regional finalist, William Paterson starts at No. 15.

No. 16 Luther finished 35-10 a year ago, while recent West power Linfield is No. 17. No. 18 Rhode Island College returns its entire pitching staff to a squad that finished 42-7 a year ago, while 33-11 Emerson starts at No. 19. Tufts rounds out the top 20 after going 44-3 and finishing fourth at the national championship.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire begins at No. 21, while Rowan and Hardin Simmons take the Nos. 22 and 23 spots, respectively. Central and Christopher Newport round out the preseason top 25.

The first regular season NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll will be released March 3.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

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

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

OKLAHOMA CITY — International softball returns to the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City when the 2010 USA Softball Women’s National Team takes on Canada, Japan and the USA Futures Team at the 5th World Cup of Softball, July 22-26.

“There is nothing like the World Cup,” said two-time Olympian Jennie Finch. “It is the best environment and my favorite event each year. I look forward to competing at the greatest softball complex in the World and in front of the World’s Greatest Fans. I get chills just thinking about it again and am really looking forward to returning to Oklahoma City.”

“We are proud to welcome world-class softball back to Oklahoma City for this premier event in International women’s fast pitch softball,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Radigonda. “The World Cup of Softball has proven to be one of the premier events in the softball community, attracting the highest level athletes from across the country and the world. For our athletes, the World Cup provides one of the only opportunities to play before a home crowd with ‘USA’ written across their chests so we hope people come out to the stadium to make this experience special for them.”

Expected to represent Team USA are two-time Olympians Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman and Natasha Watley, who helped lead the U.S. to the Gold Medal in Athens and Silver Medal in Beijing. Members of 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning team also scheduled to play in the 5th World Cup of Softball are Olympic silver medalists Monica Abbott, Andrea Duran, Vicky Galindo, Lauren Lappin and Caitlin Lowe. The official roster for USA Futures will be chosen by the USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Committee and will be named at a later date to be announced.

“The USA Futures team will be a great way to identify the future pipeline of our National team program,” added Radigonda.

All session reserved ($75) and all session general admission ($40) tickets are on sale now by calling 1-800-654-8337 or by visiting www.softballoutlet.com/shop_tickets.asp. Also on sale now is the Ultimate Fan Zone package ($275), which includes a meal with Team USA as well as an autograph session with the team that is only open to Ultimate Fan Zone ticket holders. The Ultimate Fan Zone also includes an all-session reserved seat in the premier section of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium for every game of the World Cup, a personalized replica USA jersey, and free parking. Single session tickets will go on sale at a later date. (See schedule below).

“The World Cup of Softball gets more exciting each and every year and 2010 is no exception,” said two-time Olympian Jessica Mendoza. “Where else can you see the best softball in the World and see the U.S. face off on home soil? Only at the World Cup in Oklahoma City. The fans have always been outstanding and we hope to put on quite a show come July.”

Canada, Japan and the USA played in the 2009 KFC World Cup of Softball 4 with the Americans taking the Gold Medal. Canada defeated Japan to take the Bronze Medal. After the World Cup in July 2009, Japan faced Team USA again at the Japan Cup Sendai City, Japan. In the championship, Finch drove in the game’s only two runs in the first inning, and held a no hitter into the seventh inning. The Americans also faced Canada twice at the 2009 Pan American Championship Qualifier in Maracay, Venezuela, in August 2009. In the first match-up, Team USA suffered their only loss of the 2009 season, but came back to upset Canada in the Gold Medal Game.

Note: All games will be played at the main stadium field and times are subject to change.

Thursday – July 22

7:00 PM USA vs. Canada

9:00 PM Japan vs. USA Futures

Friday – July 23

3:00 PM Canada vs. USA Futures

7:00 PM USA vs. Japan

9:00 PM Canada vs. Japan

Saturday – July 24

11:00 AM USA vs. USA Futures

7:00 PM USA vs. Japan

9:00 PM Canada vs. USA Futures

Sunday – July 25

Noon Japan vs. USA Futures

4:00 PM USA vs. Canada

7:00 PM USA vs. USA Futures

9:00 PM Japan vs. Canada

Monday- July 26

4:00 PM #3 vs. #4

8:00 PM #1 vs. #2

The 5th World Cup of Softball is sanctioned by the International Softball Federation, the governing body of softball internationally as recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

Tickets can be purchased through the ASA merchandise website at http://www.softballoutlet.com/shop_tickets.asp or by calling 1-800-654-8337.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A 4-0 start to the season was enough to move previous No. 4, Siskiyous, past Sierra and into the No. 1 spot in the latest California Community College Athletic Association Softball Top 20 Coaches’ Poll.

Former No. 1, Sierra, dropped just one spot to No. 2, while East Los Angeles made the week’s biggest jump soaring 15 spots from No. 18 to No. 3.

COACHES’ POLL – TOP 20 (STATE-WIDE RANKINGS)
FOR WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 7 IN SEASON 2010

Rank Team (Record) Points
1 Siskiyous (4-0) 44 (1)
2 Sierra (0-0) 43 (1)
3 East Los Angeles (7-0) 40 (1)
4 Cypress (0-0) 38
T5 Cerritos (6-1) 34 (1)
T5 Sacramento City (0-0) 34
T7 Ohlone (1-1) 33
T7 Saddleback (3-0) 33
T7 Mt. San Antonio (1-0) 33
10 Feather River (0-0) 30
11 Palomar (0-0) 29
12 Fullerton (5-2) 27
13 Santa Ana (3-1) 26
14 San Mateo (3-2) 25
T15 Long Beach City (5-3) 23
T15 Ventura (6-2) 23
T17 Fresno (2-1) 22
T17 Shasta (0-1) 22
T17 Santa Rosa (2-1) 22
20 San Joaquin Delta (1-0) 20

All records shown are from the 2010 season. First-place votes are in parentheses.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

LUBBOCK — Texas Tech filed a report with the NCAA over the summer admitting violations of a ban on text-messaging recruits in three sports — football, men’s golf and softball.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports that Tech athletic director Gerald Myers referred most questions to Brian Shannon, Tech’s faculty representative who has communicated with NCAA and Big 12 Conference officials on the case.

Shannon told the newspaper that violations were uncovered last February by Tech’s athletic compliance staff in a routine review of phone records. He said that after an internal investigation, Tech sent a report to the NCAA and the Big 12 in July that included self-imposed penalties.

He said he hasn’t been given a time frame for the resolution. “We reported it. We imposed some self-imposed penalties. Most of those have already been served,” Shannon said.
Tech imposed its own penalties in football that included giving up one scholarship for 2010 and reducing the number of campus visits to four fewer recruits than the program’s average over the last four years.

He said “comparable” sanctions had also been imposed on men’s golf and softball. He said each team would give up a fraction of one scholarship and “some limitation or reduction in official paid visits in both.”

The NCAA could accept Tech’s self-imposed punishment or add sanctions.
Shannon said the violations involved two coaches in men’s golf, three former coaches in softball and “quite a few” football coaches, which he estimated to be about 10.
“I don’t know what the NCAA is ultimately going to conclude on this,” said Shannon, a Tech law professor.

Text-messaging recruits was banned in August 2007 after high-school students complained that text messages from college coaches cost them personal time and money because of increased cell-phone charges.

Shannon said nearly all the football coaches involved no longer work for Tech. From former Tech coach Mike Leach’s staff, offensive line coach Matt Moore was the only on-field assistant new Tech coach Tommy Tuberville retained. Shannon said he believed Moore had sent “about four” text messages after the ban. Tuberville was hired Jan. 9. “I told him that this was ongoing,” Myers said. “I don’t know exactly when I told him. I told him early, though. He didn’t seem to be bothered by it.”

The NCAA limits campus visits to 56 recruits per year. Tech had been averaging 44 visitors a year the last four years, Shannon said, and volunteered to cap visits at 40 for the recruiting year that just ended this week. “I think the intent was to show that this was a reduction,” Shannon said.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending national champion California Baptist has been tabbed as the No. 1 team in the NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Preseason Poll, the NAIA announced Tuesday. The Lancers were the unanimous pick, earning all 23 first-place votes and tallying 653 points. Dickinson State (N.D.) is listed second with 629 points. Oklahoma City and Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) are tied for third with 594 points and Lubbock Christian rounds out the top-five teams with 549 points.

No. 1 California Baptist returns 12 starters from its 2009 national championship team, including 2009 NAIA Pitcher of the Year, Tory Ferreira. Ferreira became the first pitcher in NAIA history to go undefeated and have at least 20 wins, as a freshman. The 2009 NAIA National Championship MVP Ashley Boyd returns for her senior season. The senior shortstop set school single-season records for home runs (16), hits (100), runs scored (82) and total bases (178). The Lancers finished last season with a school record 61 wins, on their way to winning the school’s first softball championship.

No. 22 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.), No. 23 Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga.) and No. 25 McKendree (Ill.) all make an appearance in the poll after finishing the 2009 season unranked.

Four conferences, Golden State Athletic Conference, Sooner Athletic Conference, Southern States Athletic Conference and Association of Independent Institutions, each have three teams listed in the initial poll for the 2010 season.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences. The first regular-season poll will be announced on March 23.

To view the entire NAIA Preseason Top 25 poll, click here.

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

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.”

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.

Please visit our sponsor

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).

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The Fastpitch News Blog is sponsored by SportJunk.com

Follow The Fastpitch News Blog on Twitter at Twitter.com/FastpitchNews

Become a fan of the Fastpitch News on Facebook at Facebook.com/SoftballMedia

Don’t forget to check out our other softball websites

Fastpitch.FM Home of the Fastpitch Radio Show.
Fastpitch.TV Home of the Fastpitch TV Show.
FastpitchSearch.com A seach engine just for softball.
SoftballJunk.com The best place online to buy softball equipment.
SoftballMedia.com One site for all our softball media.