The 2016 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 13th season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's 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.
Milestones and events
The Akron Racers celebrated their 15th season in 2016, the most of any NPF team. They have played in all 13 of the NPF's seasons, as well at the WPSL's last two seasons (1999 and 2000).
On October 23, 2015, the NPF announced that the Scrap Yard Dawgs would join the league as an expansion team.
On April 11, NPF announced a renewal of their television agreement with CBS Sports Network for 2016. Broadcasts will include the 2016 NPF College Draft, 23 regular-season games, a Championship Series Preview Special, and most of the Championship Series.
On June 10, the Pride's Chelsea Thomas and Kelsey Nunley pitched a combined no-hitter against the Dawgs at the Scrap Yard's first-ever home game.
On August 11, Lauren Haeger pitched a no-hitter, beating the Chicago Bandits 5–0. The only Bandit to reach base did so via a Charge fielding error.
Rawlings announced it would begin awarding a fastpitch softball gold glove to an NPF player, selected by a vote of league coaches and managers. The Racers' AJ Andrews was selected for this award.
Kelly Kretschman became the first NPF player to win the triple crown when she ended the season leading in batting average, home runs, and RBI.
Rule changes On June 12, in response to online threats made against players, NPF cancelled the mandatory 45-minute autograph session after each game. The following Tuesday, the league reinstated the sessions, but limited the attendees to children.
Teams, cities and stadiums TeamCityStadiumCoaches Akron Racers Akron, Ohio Firestone StadiumHead Coach: Brian LevinAssistant: Dustin Combs Chicago Bandits Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago Area) Ballpark at RosemontHead Coach:Mike Steuerwald Assistant: Roman Foore Dallas Charge Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas The Ballfields at Craig Ranch (McKinney, TX) Head Coach: Jennifer Rocha Assistants: Rich Wieligman, Kristen Zaleski Pennsylvania Rebellion Washington, Pennsylvania Consol Energy ParkHead Coach: Craig Montvidas Assistant: Tracy Bunge, Jim Walker, Madison Rotto Scrap Yard Dawgs Woodlands, TX (Houston Area) Scrap Yard Sports ComplexHead Coaches: Javier Vela, Tripp MacKay Assistants: Rachel Lawson, Kara Dill USSSA Florida Pride Kissimmee, Florida Champion Stadium Head Coach: Lonni Alameda Assistants: Jeff Ellsworth, Samantha Ricketts, Megan Willis
Player acquisition
College draft
The 2016 NPF College Draft is the 13th annual collegiate draft for NPF, and was held on Thursday, April 14, 2016, 7:00 pm CST at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
With the first overall pick, the Pennsylvania Rebellion selected Louisiana-Lafayette catcher Lexie Elkins, who led the NCAA during the 2015–16 season in batting average, slugging percentage and home runs and was also tied for 13th in Division I history with 72 career home runs.
Notable transactions
Head Coaching Changes Dallas Charge hired University of Florida assistant coach Jennifer Rocha to be their new head coach, Florida State head coach Lonni Alameda took over as head coach of the USSSA Pride. On October 27, 2015, Stacey Porter, called "the world’s best batter,” signed a contract with the Pennsylvania Rebellion. On May 5, the Scrap Yard Dawgs signed free agent Monica Abbott to a six-year contract, believed to be worth $1 million. No woman had previously signed a million-dollar contract in American professional team sports.
League standings Through 2016 Season
x-Clinched Playoff Berth y-Clinched Best Overall Record TeamGPWLPct.GB y-USSSA Pride 50 37 13 .740 - x-Scrap Yard Dawgs 48 29 19 .604 7 x-Chicago Bandits 48 23 25 .479 13 x-Akron Racers 50 22 28 .440 15 Dallas Charge 50 20 30 .400 17 Pennsylvania Rebellion 50 17 33 .340 20 Final two games between Scrap Yard Dawgs and Chicago cancelled as there was no playoff implications
Results table 2016 NPF RecordsTeamRacersBanditsChargeRebellionDawgsPride Akron Racers — 4–7 6–4 9–1 3–6 0–10 Chicago Bandits 7–4 — 3–7 4–5 5–3 4–6 Dallas Charge 4–6 7–3 — 4–5 3–7 2–8 Pennsylvania Rebellion 1–9 5–4 5–4 — 2–9 3–7 Scrap Yard Dawgs 6–3 3–5 7–3 8–2 — 4–6 USSSA Florida Pride 10–0 6–4 9–2 7–3 6–4 —
Legend Protest/Halted Game PostponementBoldWinning team
2016 Game log