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National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Softball

National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is a women's professional fast pitch softball league. Its beginnings date back to 1991 with the establishment of the National Fastpitch Association (NFA) in Boulder, Colorado. 1994 saw the first Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) Tour. Women's professional softball was played as the WPF until the end of 1998, when the name was changed to the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). 2001 saw a suspension of the WPSL as the league paused to concentrate on expansion for the 2002 season. In 2002 the WPSL was renamed National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). 2002 and 2003 saw WPSL/NPF All-Star competitions.

NPF league play resumed in 2004 with six teams: Akron Racers, Arizona Heat, Texas Thunder, New England Riptide , New York/New Jersey Juggernaut, and California Sunbirds. There are currently five teams in the league (as of the 2009 season): Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Philadelphia Force, Rockford Thunder, and the USSSA Pride.

NPF At-A-Glance

NPF Softball Rules

National Pro Fastpitch plays by the same rules as the college and amateur game. The pitching distance is 43 feet. Base paths are 60 feet in length. The fence distance, however, is a little longer - 210 feed down the first and third base lines and out to 230 feet in center field. Games are 7 innings long and typically last about 2 1/2 hours.

NPF Player Acquisition

National Pro Fastpitch gets players from an annual draft and from regional tryouts. Teams host regional tryouts in the late winter and early spring months.

NPF players earn between $2,500 and $5,000 for the entire three month playing season, along with a $25 per diem for meals when traveling.

NPF Championships

The NPF Championship Series is held in August at the end of the National Pro Fastpitch regular season. For 2007 four teams will qualify for the Championship Series which will be a double elimination series. The winner of the NPF championship series is awarded the Cowles Cup. The 2007 NPF Championship Series will be held August 24-26.

Past NPF Championship Series Cowles Cup champions include:

NPF Game Broadcasts & Multimedia

NPF on TV

There is currently no 2008 broadcast schedule for NPF. Check the Special Events/TV section of the NPF website for the latest information about television broadcasts. Also check the NPF Schedule.

NPF Video

profastpitch.com - Video Galleries
Podcast #52 - WE ARE NPF
Podcast #20 - 2007 Highlights
Podcast #63 - CAT on the decision to Pitch
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NPF Teams

NPF News & Game Highlights

News
profastpitch.com - NPF News
Racers Offense Powers Past Philadelphia in Series Finale
On a beautiful afternoon at Firestone Stadium, the Akron Racers closed out their series with the Philadelphia Force (3-11) in impressive fashion with a 7-3 victory.  The Racers (8-7) utilized home runs by Lisa Modglin and Kristen Butler to fuel their outburst.
Racers and Force Split Saturday Double Header
The Philadelphia Force slugged their way to a victory in game one of a double header at Firestone Stadium 8-4 and the Akron Racers (7-7) drew even on the day in game two winning 5-3.
Norris leads Racers to victory over Force
Lisa Norris stepped into the pitching circle and outdueled the Force's Jessica Sallinger with a fine performance, leading the Racers to a 2-1 win.  Norris kept the Force (2-9) hitters off balance for most of the night by mixing pitches and locations effectively.  Norris only surrendered three singles spread out through the seven innings and none of the hits led to Philadelphia scoring. 
Racers, Force rained out in Akron
Thursday Night's contest between the Akron Racers and the Philadelphia Force was rained out due to a severe thunderstorm at Firestone Stadium. 
Finch, Bandits spoil USSSA Pride home opener
With Jennie Finch and Kristie Fox on base in the top of the second, Bandits outfielder Nicole Trimboli stepped up to bat against USSSA Pride pitcher Monica Abbott. Trimboli got the better of Abbott, blasting a 3-run home run over the left field fence to give the Bandits a 4-0 lead.
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Game Highlights
profastpitch.com - Game Highlights
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