National Pro Fastpitch
|
|
|
| Current season | 2018 |
| sport | Softball |
| abbreviation | NPF |
| League foundation | 1997 |
| Teams | 5 |
| Country countries |
 United States ( People's Republic of China , Australia )
  |
| Title holder | Scrap Yard Dawgs |
| Record champions | Chicago Bandits (4) |
| TV partner | ESPN + , Bleacher Report Live |
| Website | profastpitch.com |
The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is a professional American softball league. The league is based in Nashville , Tennessee .
history
The league was founded in 1997 and initially operated under the name Women's Pro Softball League . In 2002 the game was paused due to financial problems. It was only resumed in 2004 under a new name and now with a franchise system. Since 2002 the NPF has been the official development partner of Major League Baseball .
In 2012 the season ended without champions after the best-of-three series in the championship game was interrupted due to weather problems and could not be continued. Due to high costs and scheduling problems for players who often play in a Japanese softball league after the season, no replay was scheduled.
In May 2016, NPF made history when the newly formed Scrap Yard Dawgs gave pitcher Monica Abbott a six-year contract. This has a total value of over a million dollars, making it the most lucrative contract in the history of American women's sports.
In 2017, it was revealed that the NPF achieved its first international expansion when it welcomed a team led by the Chinese Softball Association , the Beijing Shougang Eagles . This will initially only play away games as a traveling team. After the season, the Yard Dawgs stepped out of the league, the Texas Charge gave up the game and the Akron Racers renamed themselves Cleveland Comets. In return, as part of the international expansion, the Aussie Spirit operated by the Australian Softball Association , which is based in the Midwest and plays there in several places, including Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.
Teams
| team | place | Stadion |
|---|---|---|
| Aussie spirit | Various in the midwest | |
| Beijing Shougang Eagles | Away games only | |
| Chicago bandits | Rosemont , Illinois | Rosemont Stadium |
| Cleveland Comets | Greater Cleveland , Ohio | Several in the greater Cleveland area |
| USSSA Pride | Viera , Florida | Space Coast Stadium |
master
| year | winner | 2nd finalist |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | New York / New Jersey Juggernaut | New England Riptide |
| 2005 | Akron Racers | Chicago bandits |
| 2006 | New England Riptide | Connecticut Brakettes |
| 2007 | Washington Glory | Rockford Thunder |
| 2008 | Chicago bandits | Washington Glory |
| 2009 | Rockford Thunder | USSSA Pride |
| 2010 | USSSA Pride | Chicago bandits |
| 2011 | Chicago bandits | USSSA Pride |
| 2012 | - | |
| 2013 | USSSA Pride | Chicago bandits |
| 2014 | USSSA Pride | Akron Racers |
| 2015 | Chicago bandits | USSSA Pride |
| 2016 | Chicago bandits | USSSA Pride |
| 2017 | Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs | USSSA Pride |
Cadre and Pay
Each team has to employ at least 18 and a maximum of 23 players. The salary cap is $ 150,000 per team. Very few players earn more than 20,000 per season and most only four-figure amounts. Average earnings are $ 5,000 to $ 6,000.
Individual evidence
- ↑ ESPN + ADDS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO SELECT REGULAR SEASON NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH GAMES; BECOMES EXCLUSIVE HOME TO THE LEAGUE'S COWLES CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES. NPF, accessed June 16, 2018 .
- ↑ NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH ADDS MORE DIGITAL COVERAGE WITH BLEACHER REPORT LIVE BEGINNING TONIGHT. NPF, accessed June 16, 2018 .
- ↑ a b NPF 2016 College Draft is TONIGHT. Retrieved July 4, 2017 .
- ↑ a b c When will the women of professional softball get the attention they deserve? Retrieved July 4, 2017 .
- ↑ NPF season ends without champion. Retrieved July 4, 2017 .
- ↑ Why a softball pitcher inked a $ 1 million contract. Retrieved July 4, 2017 .
- ↑ American pro softball is going global. Here's what it means for the future of the sport. Retrieved July 4, 2017 .
- ^ The Future Of The National Pro Fastpitch League Looks Difficult - And That Is Not Surprising. Forbes, accessed June 16, 2018 .
- ↑ a b Akron Racers Become Cleveland Comets. Cleveland Comets, accessed June 16, 2018 .
- ↑ a b NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH ADDS AUSSIE SPIRIT IN 2018. NPF, accessed on June 16, 2018 (English).
- ↑ Softball Pitcher Monica Abbott Signs Record $ 1 Million Contract. Retrieved July 4, 2017 .