Tuscaloosa, AL-February 15, 2015-Fastpitch fans have a lot to look forward this upcoming 2016 NPF season. With a new home for the 2016 Championship Series the NPF hosted a press conference in Alabama to discuss the NPF Championship Series’ future in Tuscaloosa.
The press conference was held at 11:30 AM (CT) and marks the first public presser about the 2016 NPF Championship Series. NPF commissioner Cheri Kempf is elated with the decision to host the 2016 NPF Championship Series at Rhoads Stadium this August.
“I was always thrilled when we were coming to Alabama, because we were in the heart of SEC country and I did not want to leave.”
The 2016 NPF Championship Series in Hoover, Alabama would have marked the third consecutive year the NPF Championship Series was held at the Hoover Met. However, due to scheduling conflicts it was decided to make the home of Alabama softball the home for the 2016 NPF Championship Series.
Rhoads Stadium is the home field of Alabama softball. For the past nine seasons, Alabama softball has led the NCAA in attendance. That in itself is promising for the growth of the NPF.
Also present at the press conference was Alabama softball Head Coach, Patrick Murphy. Murphy spoke on behalf of the fans in the roll tide area and their love for the sport.
“I just think people in this area love to see great athletes. You are going to see the best of the best.”
USSSA Pride outfielder Kelly Kretschman also made an appearance at the presser. With a great career that started in the city of Tuscaloosa, Kretschman was welcomed with open arms at Rhoads Stadium where she debuted long before her illustrated career as a professional (5 NPF Championships, 3 Olympic medals, 2015 NPF Player of the Year). Kelly Kretschman’s return to her college softball home was covered by Tuscaloosa news, read the full article HERE.
Going against her initial sentiment, Kretschman dismissed the thought of retiring and decided to play at least one more season in the NPF.
“Now that the Championship Series is in Tuscaloosa, I’m really, really glad that I made that decision not to retire.” She added, “I’m not sure if this year is going to be my last year or not, but it would be pretty cool if I started my career in Tuscaloosa and ended my career in Tuscaloosa.”
If the 2016 NPF season is Kretschman’s last, it will have certainly come full circle. To end your career where it all began would make a great way to finish that chapter in her softball journey.
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 USSSA: USSSA is 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.
About National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. 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 and has been since 2002.
Sources: ProFastpitch Tuscaloosa News