NASHVILLE, Tenn. (9-28-11) — National Pro Fastpitch, which has featured local players such as CARRI LETO-MARTIN and SAVANNAH BROWN of Valhalla High School and SARAH HERSHMAN of San Diego State over the past decade, announced it will return to San Diego this fall.
NPF will again hold its Back to School Tour, with San Diego State hosting the 16th of 17 stops on Fri., Nov. 4, when the Aztecs meet a ballclub composed with many of pro softball’s rising stars.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to play against professional softball players right here on our own campus,” said Aztecs coach KATHY VAN WYK. “It’s a great chance to test ourselves against the best while helping the NPF promote the league.”
It’s the second straight season for San Diego State to host a Tour contest.
“We are honored that the NPF has again chosen San Diego and our program as one of the tour stops,” added the Aztec coach. “The draw of professional athletes helps us promote our program as well.”
Participating NPG players include Olympic medalists Andrea Duran, Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe; former Canadian Olympic Team member Caitlin Lever; former Canadian Olympic Team members and NCAA Champions Danielle Lawrie and Jenn Salling; 2010 NPF Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Norris; 2011 All NPF Team Members Ashley Charters, Bianca Mejia, Megan Wiggins, Brittany McKinney, and Sam Marder; and NPF Rookie of the Year, Alisa Goler.
Along with softball, other professional women’s team sports leagues in North America include WPS soccer and WNBA basketball, while AVP beach volleyball may soon be returning.
“As we near the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the fact that we have a professional league for women’s fastpitch players is yet another testament to its impact,” Van Wyk noted. “Opportunities for girls and women continue to grow and by coming out to this game and helping us support the league, people can help ensure these opportunities continue.”
The Tour begins with a game against the University of Memphis on Sept. 30, concluding on Sat., Nov. 5, at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. Complete Tour SCHEDULE.
Tickets will become available soon. Visit the SDSU women’s softball website for further information.
Historic note – Back in the 1970s, the original women’s pro softball league played games at San Diego State and Oceanside High School with a local franchise, the San Diego Sandpipers.
About USSSA Florida Pride:
The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About NPF:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!