National Pro Fastpitch

National Pro Fastpitch
Current season	2024 NPF season
Sport	Softball
Founded	2004
Ceo	Cheri Kempf (2004–2011), Aaron M. Moore (2012–2014), Cheri Kempf (2015–2021)
Commissioner	John Carroll (2004–2005), Cheri Kempf (2006–2011), Aaron M. Moore (2012–2014), Cheri Kempf (2015–2021)
Teams	5 (as of 2021)
Champion	USSSA Pride (2021)
Most champs	USSSA Pride (7)

Contents

History
League structure
Teams
Notable players
Media coverage
See also

National Pro Fastpitch. It is the premier professional fastpitch softball league for women in the United States, providing a platform for elite athletes following their collegiate careers. The league was established in 2004 as the successor to the Women's Pro Softball League and operated until the 2021 season, after which it was succeeded by the Women's Professional Fastpitch. Throughout its history, it featured many of the sport's biggest stars, including numerous Olympic medalists and NCAA champions.

History

The league's origins trace back to the Women's Pro Softball League, which was founded in 1997 and ceased operations in 2001. In 2004, the league was revived under its new name, with initial teams including the Arizona Heat, Texas Thunder, and New England Riptide. Key figures in its formation and operation included commissioner Cheri Kempf and early investors like John Carroll. A significant early partnership was formed with Major League Baseball in 2004, which provided promotional support. The league saw periods of expansion and contraction, with notable franchises like the Chicago Bandits, Akron Racers, and USSSA Pride forming its core for many years. Its final season was played in 2021 before its assets and operations were transitioned to the new Women's Professional Fastpitch league.

League structure

The season typically ran from early June through late August, culminating in a postseason championship series. The regular season schedule featured a series-based format where teams played multiple games against one another in a single location. The top teams advanced to the NPF Championship Series, a best-of-three or best-of-five playoff. Player acquisition was governed by an annual draft, often held in conjunction with the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The league operated under a single-entity ownership model for much of its history, with team operators holding a stake in the overall league. Key operational partners included the Amateur Softball Association and USA Softball.

Teams

Franchises were located across the United States, with several teams having long tenures. The Chicago Bandits, based in Rosemont, Illinois, were one of the league's original and most successful franchises. The Akron Racers of Akron, Ohio were another charter member, operating from 2004 until 2018. The most dominant team was the USSSA Pride, based in Viera, Florida, which won seven championships. Other notable teams included the Pennsylvania Rebellion from Washington, Pennsylvania, the Dallas Charge from Dallas, Texas, and the Beijing Shougang Eagles, which represented the first international expansion team from China. The final season in 2021 featured five teams: the USSSA Pride, Chicago Bandits, Cleveland Comets, California Commotion, and Smash It Sports Vipers.

Notable players

The league attracted the greatest talent in women's softball, including many U.S. national team members. Olympic gold medalists such as Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman, and Jessica Mendoza were foundational stars. Other prominent Olympic medalists who played include Monica Abbott, Laura Berg, and Natasha Watley. Standout pitchers like Sarah Pauly and Danielle Lawrie also had celebrated careers. Hitters such as Kelly Kretschman, Sahvanna Jaquish, and Brittany Cervantes set numerous offensive records. Many players, including Amanda Chidester and Haylie McCleney, used the league as a bridge between their time at universities like the University of Michigan and University of Alabama and the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Media coverage

Broadcast partnerships evolved throughout the league's history. Early television coverage was provided by ESPN2 and Fox Sports Net, often airing the NPF Championship Series. In later years, CBS Sports Network became a primary broadcast partner. A significant number of games were also streamed live online via platforms like NPF TV and YouTube. The league's events, including the draft and all-star game, were frequently covered by major sports media outlets like ESPN and Softball America. Local media in team markets, such as Chicago and Orlando, provided consistent coverage of their respective franchises.