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.

Teams, cities and stadiums TeamCityStadium Akron Racers Akron, Ohio Firestone Stadium Chicago Bandits Elgin, Illinois (Chicago Area) Judson University Philadelphia Force Allentown, Pennsylvania ECTB Stadium Rockford Thunder Roscoe, Illinois Thunder Park USSSA Florida Pride Kissimmee, Florida Osceola County High School Stadium

Milestones and events In November 2008, the Rockford Thunder named as field manager James Sherwood, who replaced Javier Vela. Vela resigned after four seasons.

Akron Racers named a new field manager, Barb Sherwood, who replaced Shonda Stanton.

Before the 2009 season, Washington Glory ceased operations for financial reasons. Subsequently, NPF and United States Specialty Sports Association(USSSA) began a partnership, which resulted in the expansion team USSSA Pride inheriting the Glory's player contracts. The Pride named J.Y. Davis and Margaret Davis as coaches.

Player acquisition College draft

The 2009 NPF Senior Draft was held February 10, 2009, at the Cambria Suites Akron-Canton Airport location. Three-time First-Team All-American outfielder Kaitlin Cochran of Arizona State was selected first by the Akron Racers, after a draft-day trade.

Notable transactions

League standings Source TeamGPWLPct.GB Chicago Bandits 39 27 12 .692 - Akron Racers 40 26 14 .650 1.5 Rockford Thunder 40 19 21 .475 8.5 USSSA Pride 40 16 24 .400 11.5 Philadelphia Force 39 11 28 .282 15

NPF Championship

The 2009 NPF Championship Series was held at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio August 19–23. The top four teams qualified and were seeded based on the final standings. The first seed played the fourth seed on a best-of-three series, and the second seed played the third seed in another best-of-three series. The winners played each other in a best-of-three series that determined the champion. Day one of play was rained out, forcing the four teams to play doubleheaders on day two, August 21.

2009 NPF SemifinalsUSSSA Pride defeat Chicago Bandits 2-1 Game Date Score Series Location 1 August 21 Chicago Bandits 1, USSSA Pride 0 1-0 Akron, Ohio2 August 21 Chicago Bandits 1, USSSA Pride 2 1-1 Akron, Ohio3 August 22 Chicago Bandits 0, USSSA Pride 2 1-2 Akron, Ohio

2009 NPF SemifinalsRockford Thunder defeat Akron Racers 2-1 Game Date Score Series Location 1 August 21 Akron Racers 1, Rockford Thunder 0 1-0 Akron, Ohio2 August 21 Akron Racers 1, Rockford Thunder 5 1-1 Akron, Ohio3 August 22 Akron Racers 2, Rockford Thunder 7 1-2 Akron, Ohio 2009 NPF Championship Series Rockford Thunder defeat USSSA Pride 2-1 Game Date Score Series Location1 August 22 Rockford Thunder 0, USSSA Pride 4 0-1 Akron, Ohio2 August 23 Rockford Thunder 2, USSSA Pride 0 1-1 Akron, Ohio3 August 23 Rockford Thunder 2, USSSA Pride 02-1 Akron, Ohio

Championship Game

Team Top Batter Stats. Rockford Thunder Chelsea Spencer 1-2 RBI HR USSSA Pride Oli Keohohou 1-2

Team Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO AB BF Rockford Thunder Cat Osterman (W) 7.0 1 0 0 1 13 22 23 USSSA Pride Sarah Pauly (L) 2.0 4 2 2 1 1 9 12 USSSA Pride Monica Abbott 4.0 1 0 0 0 4 13 14

2009 NPF Championship Series MVP PlayerClubStats.Cat OstermanRockford Thunder 4-1 50Ks 0.22 ERA 2SHs 0.64 WHIP (12Hs+8BBs/31.0 IP)

Annual awards Source: Majestic Cup (Best regular season record)Chicago Bandits

AwardPlayerTeamPlayer of the Year Award Crystl BustosAkron RacersPitcher of the YearEileen CanneyChicago BanditsRookie of the Year Tammy WilliamsChicago BanditsDefensive Player of the YearTammy WilliamsChicago BanditsOffensive Player of the YearCrystl BustosAkron RacersCoaching Staff of the Year Akron Racers -- Barb Sherwood, Radara McHugh, Shawn Reis

2009 All-NPF TeamPositionNameTeam Pitcher Cat OstermanRockford Thunder PitcherEileen CanneyChicago Bandits Pitcher Angela TincherAkron Racers Pitcher Lisa NorrisAkron Racers CatcherRachel FoldenChicago Bandits 1st Base Samantha FindlayChicago Bandits 2nd BaseKenora PoseyAkron Racers 3rd BaseJackie PasquerellaAkron RacersShortstopTammy WilliamsChicago Bandits OutfieldLisa ModglinAkron Racers OutfieldAmber PattonChicago Bandits OutfieldAmanda WilliamsRockford Thunder At-LargeCrystl BustosAkron Racers At-LargeOli KeohohouUSSSA Pride At-LargeChelsea SpencerRockford Thunder At-LargeKelly KretschmanUSSSA Pride At-LargeJenna RhodesRockford Thunder At-LargeAmber JacksonUSSSA Pride

See also

List of professional sports leagues List of professional sports teams in the United States and Canada

References

External links