The 2006 National Pro Fastpitch season was the third 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 Arizona Heat Tucson, Arizona Hi Corbett Field Chicago Bandits Lisle, Illinois Benedictine University Sports Complex Connecticut Brakettes Stratford, Connecticut Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field New England Riptide Lowell, Massachusetts Martin Softball Field Philadelphia Force Allentown, Pennsylvania ECTB Stadium Texas Thunder League City, Texas Big League Dreams

Milestones and events 2004 NPF champion New York Juggernaut and the California Sunbirds (who played a partial schedule in 2005) were not on the 2006 schedule and ceased operations.

In September 2005, NPF announced the addition of the expansion team Philadelphia Force, owned by brothers William M. and John M. Thompson. The Force named Patriots Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as their home stadium. One of their first signings included 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Natasha Watley. The Force did play at ECTB Stadium at Bicentennial Park in Allentown.

NPF announced that Patrick J. Linden had become their new president. An attorney, Linden has experience as counsel for the NPF owner's group.

Player acquisition College draft

The 2006 NPF Senior Draft was held 138, 2006 via conference call. Cat Osterman of Texas was selected first by the Connecticut Brakettes. Osterman opted not to sign with the Brakettes, becoming a free agent at the end of the 2006 season.

Notable transactions Sarah Pauly signed her initial NPF contract, as the first player signed by the Connecticut Brakettes. In 2005 as a member of the amateur Stratford Brakettes, Pauly pitched against NPF teams.

League standings Source TeamGPWLPct.GB Chicago Bandits 42 30 12 .714 - Connecticut Brakettes 42 27 15 .643 3 Akron Racers 46 29 17 .630 3 New England Riptide 41 24 17 .585 5.5 Texas Thunder 48 21 27 .438 12 Arizona Heat 48 20 28.417 13 Philadelphia Force 42 14 28.33316

NPF's 2006 schedule was 48 games for each team, including seven four-game home series and five four-game road series. On the schedule were games against national teams from Canada, China and Chinese Taipei, as well as Denso Japan, a professional team. The USA Softball Team, World University Games Team and the Michigan Ice, a hopeful for NPF membership, were also scheduled as opponents. The results counted in the NPF's team records.

NPF Championship

The 2006 NPF Championship Series was held at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford, Connecticut August 26 and 28. The top four teams qualified and were seeded based on the final standings. The series matched the teams up in a single-elimination bracket. The championship game was scheduled for August 27, but rain forced it to be moved to August 28.

2006 NPF Championship Series - Game 1 Game Date Score Location 1 August 26 Chicago Bandits 0, New England Riptide 1 (9 innings)Stratford, Connecticut 2006 NPF Championship Series - Game 2 Game Date Score Location 2 August 26 Connecticut Brakettes 1, Akron Racers 0 (8 innings)Stratford, Connecticut 2006 NPF Championship Series - Game 3 Game Date Score Location 3 August 28 New England Riptide 2, Connecticut Brakettes 0Stratford, Connecticut New England Riptide win NPF Championship

Championship Game

Team Top Batter Stats. New England Riptide Lyndsey Angus 2-3 RBI K Stratford Brakettes Kellie Wilkerson 1-2 BB K

Team Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO AB BF New England Riptide Jocelyn Forest (W) 7.0 5 0 0 2 7 26 28 Stratford Brakettes Sarah Pauly (L) 7.0 7 2 1 0 8 28 29

2006 NPF Championship Series MVP PlayerClubStats.Jocelyn ForestNew England Riptide 2-0 14Ks 0.00 ERA 2SHs 0.62 WHIP (7Hs+3BBs/16.0 IP)

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

AwardPlayerTeamPlayer of the Year Award Lyndsey AngusNew England RiptidePitcher of the YearSarah PaulyConnecticut BrakettesRookie of the Year Stacy MayChicago BanditsDefensive Player of the YearCarri LetoPhiladelphia ForceOffensive Player of the YearJessica MerchantConnecticut BrakettesManagers of the Year Chicago Bandits -- Eugene Lenti and Mickey Dean

2006 All-NPF TeamPositionNameTeam PitcherSarah PaulyConnecticut Brakettes PitcherJocelyn ForestNew England Riptide Pitcher Christa WilliamsTexas Thunder Pitcher Amy HarreChicago Bandits CatcherSelena CollinsChicago Bandits 1st BaseJenna HallPhiladelphia Force 2nd BaseCarri LetoPhiladelphia Force 3rd BaseStacy MayChicago BanditsShortstopJessica MerchantConnecticut Brakettes UtilityLyndsey AngusNew England Riptide OutfieldIyhia McMichaelAkron Racers OutfieldKelly KretschmanConnecticut Brakettes OutfieldAnne SteffanChicago Bandits At-LargeKristen ZaleskiTexas Thunder At-LargeJackie PasquerellaNew England Riptide At-LargeNichole ThompsonArizona Heat At-LargeOli KeohohouAkron Racers At-LargeRadara McHughAkron Racers At-LargeJaime ClarkChicago Bandits

See also

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

References

External links National Pro Fastpitch