2014 National Pro Fastpitch season

2014 NPF Season
2014 NPF Season
League	National Pro Fastpitch
Sport	softball
Duration	May 30, 2014 – August 17, 2014
Number of teams	4
TV partner(s)	CBS Sports Network
2014 NPF Draft
Top draft pick	Dallas Escobedo P ; Arizona State
Picked by	Pennsylvania Rebellion
Regular Season
Ringor Cup ; (Best record)	USSSA Pride
Cowles Cup
Champions	USSSA Pride
Runners-up	Akron Racers
Finals MVP	Cat Osterman ; USSSA Pride
NPF seasons
	← 2013 2015 →

Last updated July 11, 2023

The 2014 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 11th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup. Play began on May 30 in Salisbury, Maryland, between the Pennsylvania Rebellion and the USSSA Pride.

Milestones and events

The NY/NJ Comets did not play in 2014, and their roster and draft positions were inherited by an expansion team, Pennsylvania Rebellion. The Rebellion played home games in Washington, Pennsylvania in Consol Energy Park.^[1]

NPF reached a deal with CBS Sports Network to broadcast selected regular season games and selected postseason games for the 2014 season.^[2]

Rule changes

At its owners' meetings, NPF announced a number of changes in policies and game rules:^[3]

Game rules:

Voted to keep the International Tie Breaker during regular season play. The tie breaker will continue to be implemented in the top of the 10th inning. This effectively reverses a change announced in 2013.
Voted to reject a "Run Rule" that would end the game after 5 innings (4 1/2 if home team was ahead) if a team led by 12 or more runs
Voted to implement a "90 second" clock between innings. After the clock expires, umpires will assign a ball on the batter for "delay of game".
Voted to revise the number of defensive conferences from one per inning to three per game. In extra innings, teams will be given one additional conference per inning. Violation will result in ejection of the head coach.
Committee voted to eliminate a former revision, and essentially gives the pitcher 25 seconds to get in place on the rubber, take the sign and deliver the pitch.

Policies and procedures:

Voted to eliminate the Disabled List
Voted to increase the maximum roster limit from 20 to 23 (Salary cap did not increase)
Voted to increase the minimum roster limit from 14 to 18.
Voted for a 45-minute autograph session following all games except double headers. The session is mandatory for all players.
Voted for a ticket policy that would allow fifty complementary tickets total (between both teams) per game. The Home Team will be given first choice with a 2 ticket per player allowance with the remaining tickets (if any) offered to the Visiting Team. It is at the discretion of the Home Team whether to make discounted tickets available to Visiting Team Players.
Voted for a new payment structure for umpires in the event a game is split in its completion either due to weather or other reason.
Voted to re-structure of the umpire assignment and evaluation system for the league.
Voted for a contract with the company "Game Changer" to carry the complete stats of the NPF

Post season:

Voted to require a minimum number of innings, plate appearances, or total games played, to be considered for post season award nominations and voting. Those minimums are: Defensive player nominees must have played a minimum of 75% of the total innings possible, at the position they are being nominated for. Utility will require the player to have played in 75% of total innings possible, but with no stipulation on position. Offensive player nominees must have 75% of total plate appearances possible based on their team statistics. There are no minimum criteria for the nominations of pitchers into any category that would pertain to the position of pitching.
Voted to change the Championship Series format back to that used from 2010–2012. The top 4 league teams, according to regular season finish, advance to the Championship Series. Those 4 teams play three series of "best-of-three" match-ups. The #1 seed will play the #4 seed in a best-of-three series and the #2 seed will play the #3 seed in a best-of-three series, with both winners advancing to the Final Series. Those two winners will then compete in a best-of-three series to determine the Cowles Cup Champion. This format will add one day to the competition from the 2013 structure.

Teams, cities and stadiums

Team	City	Stadium
Akron Racers	Akron, Ohio	Firestone Stadium
Chicago Bandits	Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago Area)	Ballpark at Rosemont
Pennsylvania Rebellion	Washington, Pennsylvania	Consol Energy Park
USSSA Florida Pride	Kissimmee, Florida	Osceola County Stadium and Champion Stadium

Akron

Chicago

Pennsylvania

USSSA Pride

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National Pro Fastpitch teams

Player acquisition

College draft

The 2014 NPF College Draft was held on March 31 in Nashville, Tennessee at 8:00 pm EST at the Ford Theatre located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.^[4] Pitcher Dallas Escobedo of Arizona State was selected first by Pennsylvania Rebellion.^[5]

Notable transactions

Standings

Teams	W	L	Pct.	GB
USSSA Pride	33	15	.688	—
Chicago Bandits	30	18	.625	3
Akron Racers	24	24	.500	9
Pennsylvania Rebellion	9	39	.188	24

NPF Championship Series

The top four teams from the regular season qualify for the championship playoffs. The highest-seeded semifinal winner then hosted the championship final.

NPF Semifinals			NPF Championship

1	USSSA Pride	2

4	Pennsylvania Rebellion	0
			1	USSSA Pride	2

			3	Akron Racers	0
2	Chicago Bandits	1

3	Akron Racers	2

2014 NPF Semifinals USSSA Pride defeat Pennsylvania Rebellion 2–0
Game	Date	Score	Series (USSSA–PA)	Location
1	August 20	USSSA Pride 6, Pennsylvania Rebellion 0	1–0	Hoover, Alabama
2	August 21	USSSA Pride 3, Pennsylvania Rebellion 2	2–0	Hoover, Alabama

2014 NPF Semifinals Akron Racers defeat Chicago Bandits 2–1
Game	Date	Score	Series (AKR–CHI)	Location
1	August 20	Akron Racers 2, Chicago Bandits 1	1–0	Hoover, Alabama
2	August 21	Chicago Bandits 4, Akron Racers 1	1–1	Hoover, Alabama
3	August 22	Akron Racers 1, Chicago Bandits 0	2–1	Hoover, Alabama

2014 NPF Championship Series USSSA Pride defeat Akron Racers 2–0
Game	Date	Score	Series (USSSA–AKR)	Location
1	August 22	USSSA Pride 6, Akron Racers 0^[6]	1–0	Hoover, Alabama
2	August 23	USSSA Pride 8, Akron Racers 3^[7]	2–0	Hoover, Alabama

Championship Game

Team	Top Batter	Stats.
USSSA Pride	Kelly Kretschman	1-3 2RBIs
Chicago Bandits	Jessica Garcia	2-3 2RBIs HR

Team	Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
USSSA Pride	Keilani Ricketts	1.0	3	2	2	0	1
USSSA Pride	Danielle Lawrie (W)	6.0	3	1	0	0	3
Akron Racers	Lisa Norris (L)	5.0	6	7	6	1	3
Akron Racers	Alison Owen	0.1	2	1	0	0	0
Akron Racers	Hannah Campbell	1.2	0	0	0	0	0

2014 NPF Championship Series MVP
Player	Club	Stats.
Cat Osterman	USSSA Pride	2-0 20Ks 0.00 ERA SH 0.46 WHIP (4Hs+2BBs/13.0 IP)^[8]

League leaders

Final totals

Batting leaders

Stat	Player	Total
AVG	Natasha Watley (USSSA)	.403
HR	Brittany Cervantes (CHI)	12
RBI	Nerissa Myers (AKR)	43
R	Emily Allard (CHI)	35
H	Emily Allard (CHI)	57
SB	Brejae Washington (USSSA)	17

Pitching leaders

Stat	Player	Total
W	Cat Osterman (USSSA)	16
L	Dallas Escobedo (PA) Sarah Pauly (PA)	11
ERA	Cat Osterman (USSSA)	0.56
K	Cat Osterman (USSSA)	160
IP	Rachele Fico (AKR)	106
SV	Jordan Taylor (USSSA)	3

Annual awards

Award	Player	Team	Stat
Player of the Year Award	Andrea Duran	USSSA Pride	.362 batting average, 47 hits, 26 RBI, 7 doubles, one triple and two homeruns. Led the league in OBP (.478) and walks (27)
Pitcher of the Year	Cat Osterman	USSSA Pride	led the league with 160 Ks and 0.560 ERA. Undefeated at 16 – 0 and threw a no-hitter on July 5, 2014.
Rookie of the Year	Madison Shipman	USSSA Pride	.344 BA, 28 RBI and 5 HR. Led the league in doubles.
Defensive Player of the Year	Tammy Williams	Chicago Bandits
Offensive Player of the Year	Nerissa Myers	Akron Racers	50 H, 5 2B, 9 HR, 6 SB, .474 OBP. Lead the league in RBI (43), 2 out-RBI's (19), and slugging % (.599).
Home Run Award	Brittany Cervantes	Chicago Bandits	12 HR
Diamond Spike^{[note 1]}	Breja’e Washington	USSSA Pride	17 SB
Coaching Staff of the Year	Akron Racers -- Brian Levin (HEAD COACH) and Dustin Combs (ASSISTANT COACH)
Jennie Finch Award^{[note 2]}	Kelley Montalvo	Akron Racers

^[9]

↑ The Diamond Spike Award is given to the player with the most stolen bases
↑ The Jennie Finch award is given to the player who best exemplifies the character and qualities of its famous namesake, and who is considered to positively impact the game both on and off the field.

2014 All-NPF Team
Position	Name	Team
Pitcher	Cat Osterman	USSSA Pride
Pitcher	Monica Abbott	Chicago Bandits
Pitcher	Rachele Fico	Akron Racers
Pitcher	Michelle Gascoigne	Chicago Bandits
Catcher	Kristen Butler	Chicago Bandits
1st Base	Brittany Cervantes	Chicago Bandits
2nd Base	Lauren Lappin	Pennsylvania Rebellion
3rd Base	Andrea Duran	USSSA Pride
Shortstop	Tammy Williams	Chicago Bandits
Outfield	Caitlin Lowe	USSSA Pride
Outfield	Natasha Watley	USSSA Pride
Outfield(tie)	Megan Wiggins	Chicago Bandits
Outfield(tie)	Emily Allard	Chicago Bandits
At-Large	Nerissa Myers	Akron Racers
At-Large	Madison Shipman	USSSA Pride
At-Large	Sarah Pauly	Pennsylvania Rebellion
At-Large	Kelley Montalvo	Akron Racers
At-Large	Ashley Thomas	Akron Racers
At-Large	Jill Barrett	Akron Racers

NPF Championship Series MVP^[10]
Player	Club	Record
Cat Osterman	USSSA Pride	threw a complete-game shutout with 12 strikeouts in game 1. Her 3rd Championship MVP

Related Research Articles

National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), formerly the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL), was a professional women's softball league in the United States. The teams battled for the Cowles Cup.

The Chicago Bandits were a women's professional softball team based in Rosemont, Illinois. Since the 2005 season, they have played as a member of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). The Bandits won the 2008 NPF championship, defeating the Washington Glory in the final game of the championship series. The team won their second NPF championship following the 2011 season when they won the championship series two games to none over the USSSA Pride. Following the 2015 season the team won its third NPF championship defeating the USSSA Pride two games to none. They played their home games at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois. The team folded in 2021 when the NPF disbanded.

Natasha Renee Watley is an American, former collegiate four-time first-team All-American, two-time medal winning Olympian, retired seven-time pro All-Star softball player. Watley played college softball at UCLA, and helped the Bruins win a national championship. She represented the United States women's national softball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal, and again at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and won a silver medal.

Caitlin Faith Lowe-Nagy is the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats softball team. Lowe is a former collegiate four-time first team All-American and medal winning Olympian. She played college softball for Arizona and led her team in back-to-back Women's College World Series championships in 2006 and 2007. She won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Lowe played with National Pro Fastpitch's USSSA Pride for six seasons, winning three titles and being named 2012 Player of the Year, before officially retiring in 2015.

Sarah Jo Pauly is an American, former collegiate All-American, retired 7-time professional All-Star, right-handed softball pitcher and coach originally from Phoenix, Arizona. She played college softball at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi from 2002-2005 and owns virtually all the pitching records. She is the Big South Conference career strikeouts, ERA, shutouts, WHIP, strikeout ratio, no-hitters (9) and perfect games (2) leader in just three seasons. She joined the National Pro Fastpitch in 2006 and as a rookie earned Pitcher of The Year and currently holds NPF records for the most innings pitched, games played and games started through her 11 seasons as arguably the most successful undrafted player in league history. She is one of five NCAA Division I pitchers to win 100 games, strikeout 1,000 batters, maintain a sub-1.00 ERA and average double digit strikeouts for her entire career.

Angelique "Angel" Bunner is an American, former professional softball pitcher. Bunner pitched collegiately for Auburn from 2008 to 2012. In the 2012 NPF Draft, she was drafted seventeenth overall by the Carolina Diamonds. During her professional career in the National Pro Fastpitch, she played for the USSSA Pride, Chicago Bandits, Pennsylvania Rebellion, Carolina Diamonds, NY/NJ Comets and most recently the Beijing Eagles. She currently ranks in career innings pitched and won a Cowles Cup championship with the Bandits in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 NPF Draft</span>

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The 2015 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 12th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 NPF Draft</span>

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The 2013 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 10th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2012 National Pro Fastpitch season was the ninth season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). The 2012 season is especially notable because due to weather and scheduling issues, the NPF Championship Series was not completed and no Cowles Cup champion was named.

The 2011 National Pro Fastpitch season was the eighth season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2010 National Pro Fastpitch season was the seventh season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2009 National Pro Fastpitch season was the sixth season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2007 National Pro Fastpitch season was the fourth season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2006 National Pro Fastpitch season was the third season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2004 National Pro Fastpitch season was the first season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2016 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 13th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

The 2017 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 14th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

Jolene Nicole Henderson is an American, former collegiate All-American, professional All-Star, right-handed hitting softball pitcher and first baseman and softball Assistant Coach, originally from Elk Grove, California. She was a starting pitcher for the California Golden Bears from 2010-13 where she is the career leader in wins and was a 4-time All-Pac-12 player. She is the reigning National Pro Fastpitch Pitcher of The Year after being drafted #3 overall in 2013 and currently ranks top-10 in career wins, ERA, WHIP and fielding percentage and is on the roster for the independent softball team the USSSA Pride. She also played on the United States women's national softball team in 2014.

References

↑ Chris Dugan (20 November 2013). "Washington gets women's professional softball team". Washington Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
↑ "CBS SPORTS NETWORK TO AIR NPF GAMES". www.profastpitch.com. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "NPF Releases Changes for Upcoming 2014 Season". ProFastpitch.com. 12 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "2014 NPF College Draft Presented by Bownet". www.profastpitch.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "PA Rebellion Select Dallas Escobedo as #1 Pick in 2014 Draft". www.profastpitch.com. 31 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
↑ "USSSA Pride Take Game One of NPF Championship with 1-0 Win Over Akron Racers". 23 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
↑ "USSSA Pride Capture Second Consecutive Cowles Cup with 8-3 Win over Akron Racers in Game Two of NPF Championship". Fastpitch News. 25 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
↑ "Cat Osterman Game Log 2014 Playoffs". Stats.805stats.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
↑ "2014 NPF Awards Banquet Honors Season Performances". Sports Page Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
↑ "USSSA Pride Defeats The Akron Racers, 8 – 3, To Win Their Second Consecutive Cowles Cup". Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links

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[9] The Diamond Spike Award is given to the player with the most stolen bases

[10] The Jennie Finch award is given to the player who best exemplifies the character and qualities of its famous namesake, and who is considered to positively impact the game both on and off the field.

[1] Chris Dugan (20 November 2013). "Washington gets women's professional softball team". Washington Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 25 April 2015.

[2] "CBS SPORTS NETWORK TO AIR NPF GAMES". www.profastpitch.com. 1 July 2014. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[3] "NPF Releases Changes for Upcoming 2014 Season". ProFastpitch.com. 12 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[30_March_2014-4] "2014 NPF College Draft Presented by Bownet". www.profastpitch.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[5] "PA Rebellion Select Dallas Escobedo as #1 Pick in 2014 Draft". www.profastpitch.com. 31 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[6] "USSSA Pride Take Game One of NPF Championship with 1-0 Win Over Akron Racers". 23 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.

[7] "USSSA Pride Capture Second Consecutive Cowles Cup with 8-3 Win over Akron Racers in Game Two of NPF Championship". Fastpitch News. 25 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.

[8] "Cat Osterman Game Log 2014 Playoffs". Stats.805stats.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-01.

[11] "2014 NPF Awards Banquet Honors Season Performances". Sports Page Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.

[12] "USSSA Pride Defeats The Akron Racers, 8 – 3, To Win Their Second Consecutive Cowles Cup". Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

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