2004 National Pro Fastpitch season explained

2004 NPF Season
Color:blue
Color Text:white
League:National Pro Fastpitch
Sport:softball
Duration:June 1, 2004 - August 18, 2004
No Of Teams:6
Draft:2004 NPF Draft
Draft Link:2004 NPF Draft
Top Pick:Iyhia McMichael
Mississippi State
Season:Regular Season
Season Champs:Texas Thunder
Season Champ Name:Regular Season Champions
Finals:Cowles Cup
Finals Champ:NY/NJ Juggernaut
Finals Runner-Up:New England Riptide
Finals Mvp:Amanda Scott
NY/NJ Juggernaut
Seasonslist:NPF Seasons
Seasonslistnames:NPF
Prevseason Year:2003
Nextseason Year:2005

The 2004 National Pro Fastpitch season was the first season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.

Teams, cities and stadiums

TeamCityStadium
Akron RacersAkron, OhioFirestone Stadium[1]
Arizona HeatHi Corbett Field[2]
California SunbirdsSacramento, CaliforniaUnited Sports Complexes[3]
New England RiptideLowell, MassachusettsMartin Softball Field[4]
NY/NJ JuggernautMontclair State University Softball Field[5]
Texas ThunderHouston, TexasUniversity of Houston Cougars Softball Stadium[6]

Milestones and events

The 2004 season was the culmination of years of work to relaunch the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL) as a new league. In November 2002 the new name for WPSL - National Pro Fastpitch - was announced, along with a 2003 tour and league play beginning in 2004.[7]

NPF initially announced a league roster of teams in Akron, Ohio (Akron Racers), Denver, Colo.(Colorado Altitude),[8] Houston and San Antonio, Texas (Texas Thunder and San Antonio Armadillos), Sacramento, Calif. (California Sunbirds), Tucson, Ariz. (Arizona Heat),[9] Lowell, Mass. (New England Riptide), and Parsippany, NJ (NY/NJ Juggernaut).[10] The Racers were the only NPF team that also played in the WPSL. NPF conducted its first player drafts with these eight teams.

In March 2004, NPF released its inaugural schedule for 2004 and did not include the Armadillos and the Altitude. Reports allowed for the possibility of both teams joining the league in 2005 or later, but it never came to be.[11]

NPF officially launched its first season on June 1, 2004, with three games: the Akron Racers at the Texas Thunder, the Arizona Heat visiting the California Sunbirds, and the New England Riptide at the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut.[12]

Player acquisition

College draft

NPF held tryouts and its first drafts at the 2003 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention, at the Del Lago Resort, in Montgomery, Texas December 3–6, 2003.

On December 6 at the 2004 NPF Draft, the eight NPF teams selected players in a four-round Elite Draft and a six-round College Senior Draft. San Antonio selected Michigan State first baseman, and Indiana assistant coach Stacey Phillips with the first overall selection in the Elite Draft. In the College Senior Draft Iyhia McMichael of Mississippi State was selected first by the Akron Racers.[13] [14]

After the decision was made to launch the 2004 season without the Colorado Altitude and San Antonio Armadillos, a Supplemental Draft was held to allocate players whose rights were held by Colorado and San Antonio.[15]

Notable transactions

The Juggernaut signed Michele Smith, a two-time Olympic gold medal pitcher (1996 and 2000), and five-time Japan Pro League MVP. The Racers brought on board Danielle Henderson, a member of the 2000 gold medal Olympic team.

League standings

Source:[16]

TeamGPWLPct.GB
Texas Thunder584117.707-
Akron Racers603921.6503
NY/NJ Juggernaut603921.6503
New England Riptide602535.41717
Arizona Heat601941.31723
California Sunbirds581543.25926

NPF Championship

The 2004 NPF Championship Series was held at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio August 25-9. The top four teams qualified and were seeded based on the final standings. The Racers won the tiebreaker over the Riptide based on winning the head-to-head season series 8-4. All series were planned to be best-of-three games, but that changed when rain cancelled the game 1 of the final on August 28. A single winner-take-all game was played on August 29.[17]

2004 NPF Semifinals
NY/NJ Juggernaut defeat Akron Racers 2–1
Game Date Score Series
Location
1 August 25 NY/NJ Juggernaut 2, Akron Racers 0[18] 1–0 Akron, Ohio
2 August 26 NY/NJ Juggernaut 1, Akron Racers 3[19] 1–1 Akron, Ohio
3 August 26 NY/NJ Juggernaut 2, Akron Racers 1[20] 2–1 Akron, Ohio
2004 NPF Semifinals
New England Riptide defeat Texas Thunder 2–1
Game Date Score Series
Location
1 August 25 Texas Thunder 4, New England Riptide 1[21] 1–0
2 August 26 Texas Thunder 1, New England Riptide 3[22] 1–1
3 August 27 Texas Thunder 0, New England Riptide3[23] 1-2
2004 NPF Championship Game
Date Score Location
August 29 NY/NJ Juggernaut 10, New England Riptide 1[24] Akron, Ohio

Championship Game

TeamTop BatterStats.
NY/NJ JuggernautKellie Wilkerson2-3 4RBIs HR 2B BB
New England RiptideAshley Moore1-4 RBI K
TeamPitcherIP H R ER BB SO AB BF
NY/NJ JuggernautAmanda Scott (W)5.0 4 1 1 3 4 20 23
NY/NJ JuggernautGina Oaks1.0 2 0 0 1 0 5 6
NY/NJ JuggernautKaci Clark1.0 0 0 0 0 1 3 3
New England RiptideLeigh Ann Ellis (L)0.2 2 3 3 2 1 4 6
New England RiptideJocelyn Forest2.2 4 4 4 3 0 12 15
New England RiptideMegan Matthews3.2 5 3 2 1 2 16 17

Annual awards

Source:[26]

AwardPlayerTeam
Player of the Year Iyhia McMichaelAkron Racers
NPF Batting ChampionIyhia McMichaelAkron Racers
Pitcher of the YearChrista WilliamsTexas Thunder
Defensive Player of the YearLindsay GardnerTexas Thunder
Manager of the Year Wayne DaigleTexas Thunder

NPF All-Star Teams

The 2004 NPF All-Star Series was held July 13 and 14 at Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, OK. The East All-Star team included players from NY/NJ Juggernaut, the New England Riptide, and the Akron Racers and was managed by the Racers' Judy Martino. The West All-Star team included players from California Sunbirds, the Arizona Heat, and the Texas Thunder and was managed by the Thunder's Wayne Daigle.[27] [28]

The USA Olympic softball team played a doubleheader against each NPF All-Star Team on July 13. The Olympians swept the games beating the East 5-0, and edging the West 5-3 in 9 innings.[29] The West All-Stars beat the East by a score of 1-0 on July 14. Nancy Evans was named the Most Valuable Player.[30]

2004 NPF ALL-STAR ROSTER - WEST TEAM
PlayerNPF TeamPosition
Wendy AllenArizona Heat1B
Erica BeachArizona HeatP
Cheryl BoldingArizona HeatOF
Clare BurnumTexas Thunder3B
Erin EvansTexas ThunderOF
Nancy EvansArizona Heat3B
Jaime FoutchCalifornia Sunbirds3B
Lindsay GardnerTexas Thunder2B
Peaches JamesTexas ThunderP
Julie MarshallCalifornia SunbirdsC
Lisha RibelliaArizona HeatIF
Ryan RealmutoTexas ThunderC
Brandy ThurmanCalifornia SunbirdsIF
Christa WilliamsTexas ThunderP
Kristen ZaleskiTexas ThunderOF
2004 NPF ALL-STAR ROSTER - EAST TEAM
PlayerNPF TeamPosition
Lindsey Collins-MillerNY/NJ JuggernautC
Leigh Ann EllisNew England RiptideP
Jocelyn ForestNew England RiptideP
Lyndsey KleinNY/NJ JuggernautSS
Carri LetoNY/NJ Juggernaut2B
Iyhia McMichaelAkron RacersOF
Gina OaksNY/NJ JuggernautOF
Jaclyn PasquerellaNY/NJ Juggernaut3B
Trena PeelAkron RacersOF
Jen PooreAkron RacersC
Amanda ScottNY/NJ JuggernautP
Brandi StuartAkron Racers2B
Kellie WilkersonNY/NJ Juggernaut1B
Nicole TrimboliAkron Racers1B

All-Star Game note

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2004 NPF Team Profiles. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. 26 May 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905203300/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=80. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Arizona Heat. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040807224254/http://www.profastpitch.com/teams/?team_id=729. 7 August 2004.
  3. Web site: California Sunbirds. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040814214002/http://www.profastpitch.com/teams/index.php?team_id=726. 14 August 2004.
  4. Web site: New England Riptide. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040814214321/http://www.profastpitch.com/teams/index.php?team_id=580. 14 August 2004.
  5. Web site: New York/New Jersey Juggernaut. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040814214111/http://www.profastpitch.com/teams/index.php?team_id=725. 14 August 2004.
  6. Web site: Texas Thunder. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040814213445/http://www.profastpitch.com/teams/index.php?team_id=578. 14 August 2004.
  7. Web site: NEW NAME ANNOUNCED FOR WPSL. ProFastpitch.com. 7 June 2015. 1 November 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905184104/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=2. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: NPF Announces Colorado Franchise. Profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. 1 July 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626101538/http://profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=22. 26 June 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: National Pro Fastpitch Announces New Tucson Affiliate. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. 5 July 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626124955/http://profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=39. 26 June 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  10. Web site: NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH (NPF) HOLDS NATIONAL TRYOUT IN TEXAS. ProFastpitch.com. 7 June 2015. 11 December 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626121429/http://profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=57. 26 June 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  11. Web site: National Pro Fastpitch Introduces Six Teams; Inaugural Season League Play Launches in Early June. ProFastpitch.com. 25 June 2015. 21 March 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626100517/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=63. 2015-06-26. dead.
  12. Web site: PROFESSIONAL FASTPITCH BACK IN ACTION FOR 2004. Profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. 1 June 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905121944/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=84. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  13. Web site: NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH (NPF) HOLDS NATIONAL TRYOUT IN TEXAS. profastpitch.com. 13 June 2015. 7 December 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20150626121429/http://profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=57. 26 June 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  14. Web site: NPF Holds Draft for 2004. ProFastpitch.com. 7 June 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20031220070340/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/?id=4227. 20 December 2003.
  15. Web site: NPF HOLDS SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT. ProFastpitch.com. 7 June 2015. 1 April 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905202957/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=67. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: 2004. ProFastpitch.com. 7 June 2015.
  17. Web site: National Pro Fastpitch Championship Game at Firestone Stadium Reformatted. OurSportsCentral.com. 9 June 2015. 29 August 2004.
  18. Web site: Nauts Win Game One. OurSportsCentral.com. 9 June 2015. 25 August 2004.
  19. Web site: Akron Races by Nauts 3-1 to Tie Up Series at One Apiece. OurSportsCentral.com. 9 June 2015. 26 August 2004.
  20. Web site: The Scotts Lead the Juggernaut into the Finals. OurSportsCentral.com. 9 June 2015. 27 August 2004.
  21. Web site: Thunder capture playoff opener. Houston Chronicle. 9 June 2015. 26 August 2004.
  22. Web site: Grand slam beats Thunder in playoff. Houston Chronicle. 9 June 2015. 27 August 2004.
  23. Web site: RIPTIDE STEALS THUNDER FROM TEXAS New England to Play Juggernaut in Championship. ProFastpitch.com. 9 June 2015. 27 August 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905125557/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=219. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  24. Web site: Juggernaut claims inaugural Cowles Cup. OurSportsCentral.com. 9 June 2015.
  25. Web site: August 2004 . Web.archive.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905061811/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?datearchive=2004-08-01 . 2020-07-03. dead . 2015-09-05 .
  26. Web site: NPF Hands Out Regular Season Awards. OurSportsCentral.com. 11 June 2015. 28 August 2004.
  27. Web site: 28 players to represent league in NPF All-Star Series. OurSportsCentral.com. 11 June 2015. 6 July 2004.
  28. Web site: 2004 NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH ALL-STAR ROSTERS. profastpitch.com. 11 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150613144252/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/TEAM%20NPF%20ARCHIVES/2004%20All%20Star%20Rosters.pdf. 13 June 2015. dead.
  29. Web site: NPF All-Stars Put on Good Display But Fall Short. OurSportsCentral.com. 11 June 2015. 14 July 2004.
  30. Web site: Bolding s Sacrifice Fly Sends the West to a 1-0 Win; Nancy Evans named the game's most valuable player. OurSportsCentral.com. 11 June 2015. 14 July 2004.