As the National Pro Fastpitch Draft approaches, I can’t help but think about the incredible opportunity there is to play in a Pro Fastpitch League now. The years of hard work and financial support by so many people. So many Individuals who love this game so much, that they formed the NPF League for players like me, and countless others, to have a place to continue to play softball after our College careers! This is simply unbelievable when you stop and think about what it took, and continues to take to make this league thrive and grow. Saying I am extremely grateful, is an understatement!
Today there will be a new group of draftees coming into the NPF and joining us. I can say without hesitation, that each one of them also feels the same way that I do. When our college careers are coming to an end, we all start to feel lost and start to wonder, what do I do now? Most of us have played this game since we were 8-9 years old (some even younger than that), and for something you have loved your whole life, to just suddenly end – is pretty devastating. But now, with the NPF league we have something even better than what the Olympics took away. We have the very best softball players in the entire country, on 6 teams, playing against each other over a few months in summer.
To those of you, who may not have experienced an NPF game first hand, to put this in perspective, just think about the elite level of play you see at the NCAA Women’s College World Series, then select only the best players from those teams, along with the best players from previous years teams and have them compete in over 50 games a season! It’s an incredible display of the most talented softball athletes in the entire world! The pitchers we face are the most dominant pitchers who ever stepped on a softball field. The hitters are equally as talented and defensively – mistakes are seldom made. To get a hit in this league is tough, to say the least.
To those who enjoy watching softball and to those of you who enjoy watching baseball and have never seen an NPF Game, I am extending a personal invitation to come watch an NPF Game this season (Preferably, come out and see my USSSA Pride Team Play) – you’ll be amazed at the speed of the game and the amazing talent of the players. If you stay after a USSSA Pride game for autographs, mention reading this blog to me – and I will be sure to mention you in my next blog.
If you are unable to attend a game, thanks to CBS Sports, you can catch us on TV. Once again, CBS Sports has signed on to cover over 50 hours of NPF live coverage this season.
I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and Thank You to all of those involved in growing this sport and continuing to make the NPF an amazing organization.
