2018 National Pro Fastpitch season

Last updated
2018 NPF Season
League National Pro Fastpitch
Sport softball
Number of teams5
2018 NPF Draft
Top draft pick Paige Lowary P
Oklahoma
Picked by Chicago Bandits
Regular Season
Season champions USSSA Pride
Player of the Year Brenna Moss
Offensive Player of the Year Brenna Moss
Pitcher of the Year Jolene Henderson
Gold Glove Award Jade Rhodes
Cowles Cup
Champions USSSA Pride
  Runners-up Chicago Bandits
NPF seasons
  2017
2019  

The 2018 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 15th 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.

Contents

Milestones and events

On October 12, 2017, it was reported the Texas Charge would be dissolving, effective immediately. [1] The NPF did not make an announcement regarding the Charge, but all Charge players under contract were added to the league's transactions page as free agents. [2]

In an arrangement similar to the Beijing Eagles', NPF announced in December 2017 that Softball Australia would be operating a 2018 expansion team, the Aussie Spirit. [3]

On January 28, 2018, the Scrap Yard Dawgs announced via press release they would no longer be affiliated with the NPF. They indicated they would continue as an independent team. [4] On the same day, Ohio.com reported that the Akron Racers would be replaced by a Chinese team, similar to the Beijing Eagles. [5]

Rule changes

Teams, cities and stadiums

TeamCityStadiumCoaches
Aussie Spirit Travelling TeamHead Coach: TBA
Assistants: TBA
Beijing Shougang Eagles Travelling TeamHead Coach: Teresa Wilson
Assistants: Breanne Lewis, Thomas Hazelhurst
Chicago Bandits Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago Area) Ballpark at Rosemont Head Coach: Stacey Nuveman Deniz
Assistant: TBA
Cleveland Comets Travelling TeamHead Coach: TBA
Assistants: TBA
USSSA Pride Viera, Florida Space Coast Stadium Head Coach: Lonni Alameda
Assistants: Travis Wilson, Craig Snider

Player acquisition

College draft

The 2018 NPF College Draft will be the 13th annual collegiate draft for NPF.

Notable transactions

League standings

TeamGPWLPct.GB
USSSA Pride 47425.894-
Chicago Bandits 473710.7875
Aussie Spirit 481632.33326.5
Beijing Shougang Eagles 461333.28328.5
Cleveland Comets 481038.20832.5

Results table

2018 NPF Records
TeamSpiritEaglesBanditsCometsPride
Aussie Spirit 0-00-00-00-0
Beijing Shougang Eagles 0-00-00-00-0
Chicago Bandits 0-00-00-00-0
Cleveland Comets 0-00-00-00-0
USSSA Florida Pride 0-00-00-00-0
Legend
 Protest/Halted Game
 Postponement
BoldWinning team

2018 Game log

May/June
DateTimeVisitorHomeVenueScoreWinLossSavePlayer of the GameAttendance
July
DateTimeVisitorHomeVenueScoreWinLossSavePlayer of the GameAttendance
August
DateTimeVisitorHomeVenueScoreWinLossSavePlayer of the GameAttendance

NPF Championship

NPF SemifinalsNPF Championship
      
1  
4  
 
 
2  
3  
2018 NPF Semifinals
GameDateScoreWinning PitcherSaveLosing PitcherPlayer of the GameSeries
2018 NPF Semifinals
GameDateScoreWinning PitcherSaveLosing PitcherPlayer of the GameSeries
2018 NPF Championship Series
GameDateScoreWinning PitcherSaveLosing PitcherPlayer of the GameSeries

Championship Game

TeamTop BatterStats.
USSSA Pride Chelsea Goodacre &

Hallie Wilson

1-1 RBI 2B
Chicago Bandits Brenna Moss3-4
TeamPitcherIPHRERBBSO
USSSA Pride Jessica Burroughs (W)4.140001
USSSA Pride Delanie Gourley 0.200001
USSSA Pride Jolene Henderson 2.010012
Chicago Bandits Aleshia Ocasio (L)3.022011
Chicago Bandits Rachele Fico1.131110
Chicago Bandits Ally Carda 0.111001
Chicago Bandits Danielle O'Toole 1.000011
Chicago Bandits Shelby Turnier0.100001
2018 NPF Championship Series MVP
PlayerClubStats.
Shelby Pendley USSSA Pride .428 (3/7) 2RBIs HR 2BBs [8]

Statistical leaders

Players of the Week

Annual awards

AwardPlayerTeam
Player of the Year Award Brenna Moss Chicago Bandits
Pitcher of the Year Jolene Henderson USSSA Pride
Gold Glove Presented by Rawlings Jade Rhodes Cleveland Comets
Offensive Player of the Year Brenna Moss Chicago Bandits
Rookie of the Year Jessie Scroggins Chicago Bandits
Stolen Bases Award [note 1] Brenna Moss Chicago Bandits
Home Run Award [note 2] Emily Carosone Chicago Bandits
Lauren Chamberlain USSSA Pride
Megan Wiggins USSSA Pride
Jennie Finch Award [note 3] Nadia Taylor Chicago Bandits
Regular Season Championship Cup [note 4] USSSA Florida Pride
Coaching Staff of the Year Mike Stith, Cody Dent, Andrea Duran USSSA Florida Pride
Umpire of the Year Bill Gomoluch

All-NPF Team

2018 All-NPF Team
PositionNameTeam
Catcher Kristyn Sandberg Chicago Bandits
First base Jade Rhodes Cleveland Comets
Second base Emily Carosone Chicago Bandits
Third base Bianka Bell USSSA Pride
Shortstop Shelby Pendley USSSA Pride
Outfield Brenna Moss Chicago Bandits
Outfield Sammy Marshall Chicago Bandits
Outfield Megan Wiggins USSSA Pride
Designated player Lauren Chamberlain USSSA Pride
At Large Hallie Wilson USSSA Pride
At Large Jessie Scroggins Chicago Bandits
At Large Victoria Draper Beijing Shougang Eagles
At Large Nadia Taylor Chicago Bandits
At Large Sierra Romero USSSA Pride
Pitcher Jolene Henderson USSSA Pride
Pitcher Shelby Turnier Texas Charge
Pitcher Keilani Ricketts USSSA Pride
Pitcher Jessica Burroughs USSSA Pride

Notes

  1. The Stolen Bases Award is given to the player with the most stolen bases
  2. The Home Run Award goes to the player(s) who hit the most home runs
  3. 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.
  4. The Regular Season Championship Cup goes to the team with the best regular season record

See also

Related Research Articles

Stacey "Nuvey" Nuveman-Deniz is an American, former professional softball player and current head coach at San Diego State. She played for the UCLA Bruins at the catcher position on-and-off from 1997 to 2002, winning a National Championship in 1999. She also won two Olympic gold medals and one silver medal for Team USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Pro Fastpitch</span> American professional womens softball league

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron Racers</span>

The Akron Racers were a women's softball team based in Akron, Ohio. They have moved to Cleveland and been renamed the Cleveland Comets in 2018. The team was started by Joey Arietta in 1999 to participate in the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). From 2004-2017, they have played as a member of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Bandits</span> Former womens professional softball team

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Charge</span> Womens professional softball team

The Texas Charge were a women's professional softball team based in San Marcos, Texas. The team began play as the Dallas Charge as a member of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) with a game on June 3, 2015. They were initially headquartered in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas area, with most home games at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch.

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>

National Pro Fastpitch held two drafts before the 2016 season:

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 2008 National Pro Fastpitch season was the fifth 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 2005 National Pro Fastpitch season was the second 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 2000 Women's Professional Softball League season was the fourth season of professional women's fastpitch softball for the league named Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL). It was the WPSL's final season until the league relaunched in 2004 under the name National Pro Fastpitch. In 1997 and 1998, WPSL operated under the name Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF).

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scrap Yard Fast Pitch</span>

The Scrap Yard Fast Pitch was an independent women's professional softball team based in Conroe, Texas, just north of Houston. Established in October 2015 as the Scrap Yard Dawgs, the team played in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Dawgs were the first NPF team to be based in the Houston area since the Texas Thunder became the Rockford Thunder in the 2007 season. In 2017, the Dawgs won their first NPF title against Pride in the best of three game series.

The following is a list 2016 NPF transactions that have occurred in the National Pro Fastpitch softball league since the completion of the 2015 season and during the 2016 season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick (s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed. Per Commissioner Cheri Kempf's tweet, NPF contracts expire in February, therefore the extension of a contract "through 2018" means the player is only contracted to play through the 2017 season, with the contract expiring the following February. "Thru 2018 season" therefore would mean a contract that expires in February 2019, covering only games played in 2018.

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.

The following is a list 2017 NPF transactions that have occurred in the National Pro Fastpitch softball league since the completion of the 2016 season and during the 2017 season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick (s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed. Per Commissioner Cheri Kempf's tweet, NPF contracts expire in February, therefore the extension of a contract "through 2028" means the player is only contracted to play through the 2027 season, with the contract expiring the following February. "Thru 2028 season" therefore would mean a contract that expires in February 2029, covering only games played in 2028.

References

  1. "NPF'S TEXAS CHARGE DISSOLVED; WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN 2018 SEASON". Justin's World of Softball. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. "TRANSACTIONS". ProFastpitch,com. 12 October 2017. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. "National Pro Fastpitch Adds Aussie Spirit in 2018". ProFastpitch.com. 28 December 2017. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. Chez Sievers (28 January 2018). "Scrap Yard Dawgs Announce They Are Leaving NPF". FloSoftball.com. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  5. Michael Beaven (28 January 2018). "Professional softball: Future of Akron Racers in doubt, no pro games to be played at Firestone Stadium in 2018". Ohio.com. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  6. "BANDITS TO FIND NEW HEAD COACH FOR 2018". ChicagoBandits,com. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Bandits Name Stacey Nuveman-Deniz as Head Coach". Justin's World of Softball. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  8. "Shelby Pendley Game Log 2018 Championships". Stats.805stats.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-01.