2018 National Pro Fastpitch season

The 2018 National Pro Fastpitch season was the 15th 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

On October 12, 2017, it was reported the Texas Charge would be dissolving, effective immediately. The NPF did not make an announcement regarding the Charge, but all Charge players under contract were added to the league's transactions page as free agents.

In an arrangement similar to the Beijing Eagles', NPF announced in December 2017 that Softball Australia would be operating a 2018 expansion team, the Aussie Spirit.

On January 28, 2018, the Scrap Yard Dawgs announced via press release they would no longer be affiliated with the NPF. They indicated they would continue as an independent team. On the same day, Ohio.com reported that the Akron Racers would be replaced by a Chinese team, similar to the Beijing Eagles.

Rule changes

Teams, cities and stadiums TeamCityStadiumCoaches Aussie SpiritTravelling TeamHead Coach: TBA Assistants: TBA Beijing Shougang EaglesTravelling TeamHead Coach: Teresa Wilson Assistants: Breanne Lewis, Thomas Hazelhurst Chicago Bandits Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago Area) Ballpark at RosemontHead Coach: Stacey Nuveman Deniz Assistant: TBA Cleveland CometsTravelling TeamHead Coach: TBA Assistants: TBA USSSA Pride Viera, Florida Space Coast Stadium Head Coach: Lonni Alameda Assistants: Travis Wilson, Craig Snider

Player acquisition

College draft

The 2018 NPF College Draft will be the 13th annual collegiate draft for NPF.

Notable transactions

Head Coaching Changes The Bandits announced that coach Sharonda McDonald would not be returning for the 2018 season. On September 19, they announced that their new coach would be Olympian medalist and NCAA champion Stacey Nuveman Deniz. Nuveman Deniz held the NCAA home run record of 90 from 2002 to 2015, when Lauren Chamberlain broke it. She played in the NPF for the Arizona Heat in 2005.

League standings

TeamGPWLPct.GB USSSA Pride 47 42 5 .894 - Chicago Bandits 47 37 10 .787 5 Aussie Spirit 48 16 32 .333 26.5 Beijing Shougang Eagles 46 13 33 .283 28.5 Cleveland Comets 48 10 38 .208 32.5

Results table 2018 NPF recordsTeamSpiritEaglesBandits CometsPride Aussie Spirit — 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Beijing Shougang Eagles 0-0 — 0-0 0-0 0-0 Chicago Bandits 0-0 0-0 — 0-0 0-0 Cleveland Comets 0-0 0-0 0-0 — 0-0 USSSA Florida Pride 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 —

Legend Protest/Halted Game PostponementBoldWinning team

Game log

Date Time Visitor Home Venue Score Win Loss Save Player of the Game Attendance

Date Time Visitor Home Venue Score Win Loss Save Player of the Game Attendance

Date Time Visitor Home Venue Score Win Loss Save Player of the Game Attendance

NPF Championship

2018 NPF Semifinals Game Date Score Winning PitcherSaveLosing PitcherPlayer of the Game Series

2018 NPF Semifinals Game Date Score Winning PitcherSaveLosing PitcherPlayer of the Game Series

2018 NPF Championship Series Game Date Score Winning PitcherSaveLosing PitcherPlayer of the Game Series

Championship Game

Team Top Batter Stats. USSSA Pride Chelsea Goodacre & Hallie Wilson 1-1 RBI 2B Chicago Bandits Brenna Moss 3-4

Team Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO USSSA Pride Jessica Burroughs (W) 4.1 4 0 0 0 1 USSSA Pride Delanie Gourley 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 USSSA Pride Jolene Henderson 2.0 1 0 0 1 2 Chicago Bandits Aleshia Ocasio (L) 3.0 2 2 0 1 1 Chicago Bandits Rachele Fico 1.1 3 1 1 1 0 Chicago Bandits Ally Carda 0.1 1 1 0 0 1 Chicago Bandits Danielle O'Toole 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 Chicago Bandits Shelby Turnier 0.1 0 0 0 0 1

2018 NPF Championship Series MVP PlayerClubStats.Shelby PendleyUSSSA Pride .428 (3/7) 2RBIs HR 2BBs

Statistical leaders

Players of the Week

Annual awards

AwardPlayerTeamPlayer of the Year AwardBrenna MossChicago BanditsPitcher of the Year Jolene HendersonUSSSA PrideGold Glove Presented by RawlingsJade RhodesCleveland CometsOffensive Player of the YearBrenna MossChicago BanditsRookie of the Year Jessie ScrogginsChicago BanditsStolen Bases AwardThe Stolen Bases Award is given to the player with the most stolen bases Brenna MossChicago BanditsHome Run AwardThe Home Run Award goes to the player(s) who hit the most home runsEmily CarosoneChicago BanditsLauren ChamberlainUSSSA PrideMegan WigginsUSSSA PrideJennie Finch Award The Jennie Finch award is given to the player who best exemplifies the character and qualities of its famous namesake, and who is considered to positively impact the game both on and off the field.Nadia TaylorChicago BanditsRegular Season Championship CupThe Regular Season Championship Cup goes to the team with the best regular season recordUSSSA Florida PrideCoaching Staff of the YearMike Stith, Cody Dent, Andrea DuranUSSSA Florida PrideUmpire of the YearBill Gomoluch

All-NPF Team 2018 All-NPF TeamPositionNameTeamCatcherKristyn SandbergChicago BanditsFirst baseJade RhodesCleveland CometsSecond baseEmily CarosoneChicago BanditsThird baseBianka BellUSSSA PrideShortstopShelby PendleyUSSSA PrideOutfieldBrenna MossChicago BanditsOutfieldSammy MarshallChicago BanditsOutfieldMegan WigginsUSSSA PrideDesignated playerLauren ChamberlainUSSSA PrideAt LargeHallie WilsonUSSSA PrideAt LargeJessie ScrogginsChicago BanditsAt LargeVictoria DraperBeijing Shougang EaglesAt LargeNadia TaylorChicago BanditsAt LargeSierra RomeroUSSSA PridePitcherJolene HendersonUSSSA PridePitcherShelby TurnierTexas ChargePitcherKeilani RickettsUSSSA PridePitcherJessica BurroughsUSSSA Pride

Notes

See also

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

References

External links