September 16, 2015- With the 2015 NPF season in the books most Pride players are working with USA Elite Select this fall, traveling all around the country to promote the sport of fast pitch. Other players have taken the coaching route but Pride players Natasha Watley, Keilani Ricketts and Megan Wiggins turn to the Japan Softball League to continue their off-season.
These three, among other NPF players, such as Sarah Pauly, Monica Abbot and Jolene Henderson are overseas competing in an elite softball league following the conclusion of the 2015 NPF season.
The NPF season lasts about three months, beginning in Early June and ending in mid-August with no pre-season playing time. When you compare it to a Division I softball schedule that spans five months, (February to June) there just isn’t enough playing time for these professionals. The Japan Softball League gives NPF players the opportunity to continue their season and develop their skills well beyond the NPF season.
With 26 teams in three divisions 2015 All-NPF Outfielder, Natasha Watley, plays alongside NPF player Monica Abbott on team Toyota. Keilani Ricketts joins the Shoikki in Japan while 2015 All-NPF At Large player Megan Wiggins joins BIC Camera sporting a familiar red. All three teams are a part of the first division in the league.
The Japan Softball League has provided a live stream option for fans to tune in but has also included an on-demand feature to work around the 13-hour time difference. Visit http://jsl-women.com/ for links to watch all games on demand and at your convenience. The Japan Softball League is well underway and many games have been completed but who says binge watching is exclusive to Netflix?
Upcoming games are scheduled for September 26 and 27 as well as October 10, 11, and 12. Visit each team’s respective homepage for specific times if you would like to watch live but keep in mind the time difference.
Once you visit the website, you will see at the top of the web page a score board that looks like this:
Locate the blue “VOD” button to watch a full game replay. When a game is live that button will turn red. The arrows on top will change the dates so you are free to see any upcoming games or games that are completed so take advantage of the on-demand feature to catch up with Watley, Ricketts and Wiggins in Japan! Also keep up with the Pride on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all season long!
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:
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.