Nashville, Tennessee – December 11, 2014 – National Pro Fastpitch announced today an extended relationship with “Just Softball” and its president, Deb Hartwig. Hartwig is set to oversee operations of the Championship Series and Special Events for the league. This is an extension of Hartwig’s current position with NPF as Director of the Championship Series.
“Deb Hartwig has been an integral part of operating our Championship Series since 2011,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “Throughout that time period, Deb has exhibited the utmost organization and leadership in handling the event that means the most to our teams, owners and players. It is an important step for the league to utilize the expertise of Deb Hartwig and her company, “Just Softball” in the capacity of event management as the league continues to grow.”
Since 2010, NPF has developed and grown the season culmination, Championship Series. Each year, the event has grown in size and scope from television coverage to the annual awards banquet to the venue capacity. In 2014, the Championship spent its first year at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, AL – a venue with a seating capacity of 10,000. From 2011 to 2013, the Series had its final game(s) broadcast live nationally on ESPN2. In 2014, CBS Sports added live coverage of 3 of the 4 days of the Championship Series. Hartwig has overseen the Series in the position of Director since 2011.
Another primary event for NPF is the annual College Draft. This event takes place in the spring of each year and has been held in Nashville, Tennessee at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum since 2013. Like the Series, the event has continued to grow in size and scope, specifically over the past 5 years. The Draft is typically a live-streamed event that captures national attention as college seniors, their teams and families, along with NPF team fans throughout the country tune in to see where the stars of college softball will play professionally.
The League continues to explore additional special events for future coverage and to enhance partnerships. An annual All Star game, international championship, and Fall Exhibition Tour are all possibilities.
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!