2005 National Pro Fastpitch season explained

2005 NPF Season
Color:blue
Color Text:white
League:National Pro Fastpitch
Sport:softball
Duration:June 2, 2005 - August 21, 2005
No Of Teams:6
Tv:ESPN
Draft:2005 NPF Draft
Draft Link:2005 NPF Draft
Top Pick:Amy Harre
Southern Illinois
Season:Regular Season
Season Champs:Chicago Bandits
Season Champ Name:Regular Season Champions
Finals:Cowles Cup
Finals Champ:Akron Racers
Finals Runner-Up:Chicago Bandits
Seasonslist:NPF Seasons
Seasonslistnames:NPF
Prevseason Year:2004
Nextseason Year:2006

The 2005 National Pro Fastpitch season was the second 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
Arizona HeatTucson, ArizonaHi Corbett Field[1]
Chicago BanditsBenedictine University Sports Complex[2]
New England RiptideLowell, MassachusettsMartin Softball Field[3]
New York JuggernautHempstead, New YorkHofstra University Softball Stadium[4]
Texas ThunderLeague City, TexasWrigley Field at Big City Dreams Sports Park[5]

Milestones and events

The expansion Chicago Bandits joined the league for the 2005 season.

The New York Juggernaut announced a new owner, John Schmitz of Long Island, NY. The team also introduced 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Julie Smith as their general manager and head coach.[6]

The Arizona Heat named Stacy Iveson as their 2005 field manager.[7]

NPF's telecast included ESPN2 broadcasting the NPF All-Star Game and the NPF Championship Game. Comcast Sports Net Chicago showed select Chicago Bandits games and Telecare televised certain Juggernaut games.[8]

Player acquisition

College draft

The 2005 NPF Senior Draft was held February 7, 2005.[9] Amy Harre of Southern Illinois was selected first by the Chicago Bandits.[10]

Notable transactions

Various Olympians joined NPF after winning the gold medal in Softball at the 2004 Summer Olympics:

League standings

Source

TeamGPWLPct.GB
Chicago Bandits48417.854-
Akron Racers463610.7834
Texas Thunder473512.7455.5
New York Juggernaut453114.6898.5
Arizona Heat463016.65210
New England Riptide482523.52116

The 2005 schedule included a 48-game regular season schedule for each NPF teams.

The California Sunbirds played a partial schedule. The Sunbirds hoped to return to NPF full-time, but never did. Games were on the schedule against international teams: Australia, Canada, China, Russia and Venezuela.

Potential expansion teams also appeared on the schedule. These were Stratford Brakettes, Phoenix Flames, SoCal Schutt Hurricanes, Peoria Outlaws, Illinois Cougars, St. Louis Saints and the Long Island Angels. Of these candidates, only the Brakettes ever became a full-time NPF member, for only one season in 2006.

All games against international teams and expansion candidates counted in the standings for the primary NPF teams.[14]

NPF Championship

The 2005 NPF Championship Series was held at Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Illinois August 27 and 28. The top four teams qualified and were seeded based on the final standings. The series matched the teams up in a double-elimination bracket. The series matched the teams up in a single-elimination bracket.

2006 NPF Championship Series - Game 1
Game Date Score Location
1August 27Chicago Bandits 6, New England Riptide 3[15]
2006 NPF Championship Series - Game 2
Game Date Score Location
2August 27Akron Racers 1, Texas Thunder 0[16]
2006 NPF Championship Series - Game 3
Game Date Score Location
3August 28Akron Racers 5, Chicago Bandits 4 (8 innings)[17]
Akron Racers win NPF Championship

Championship Game

TeamTop BatterStats.
Akron RacersOli Keohohou1-4 RBI 2B
Chicago BanditsSelena Collins1-2 RBI 2B BB
TeamPitcherIP H R ER BB SO AB BF
Akron RacersBrandee McArthur1.1 3 4 3 3 0 4 10
Akron RacersJamie Southern2.0 1 0 0 2 1 5 10
Akron RacersRadara McHugh (W)4.2 2 0 0 2 7 16 18
Chicago BanditsLauren Bay-Regula4.2 6 3 1 2 5 21 23
Chicago BanditsJennie Finch (L)3.1 4 2 1 1 2 15 16

NPF All-Star Game

The 2005 NPF All-Star Game was held August 28. The East All-Star team included players from New York Juggernaut, the New England Riptide, and the Akron Racers. The West All-Star team included players from Chicago Bandits, the Arizona Heat, and the Texas Thunder. The East won by a score of 2-1, and Iyhia McMichael of Akron Racers was chosen Most Valuable Player.[18]

2005 NPF ALL-STAR ROSTER - WEST TEAM[19]
PlayerNPF TeamPosition
Pitchers
Lauren BayChicago BanditsP
Lindsay ChouinardChicago BanditsP
Jennie FinchChicago BanditsP
Amanda FreedTexas ThunderP / 1B
Christa WilliamsTexas Thunder P
Catchers
Selena CollinsChicago BanditsC
Stacey NuvemanArizona HeatC
Infield
Clare BurnumTexas Thunder3B
Jaime ClarkChicago BanditsSS / UT
Vicky GalindoChicago Bandits3B
Lovieanne JungArizona HeatSS / 2B
Tairia Mims-FlowersArizona HeatUT
Outfield
Jessica MendozaArizona HeatOF
Kim NesloneyTexas ThunderOF
Anne SteffanChicago BanditsOF / 2B
Kristen ZaleskiTexas ThunderOF
2005 NPF ALL-STAR ROSTER - EAST TEAM[20]
PlayerNPF TeamPosition
Pitchers
Jodie CoxNew York JuggernautP / UT
Danielle HendersonNew England RiptideP
Peaches JamesNew York JuggernautP / UT
Brandee McArthurAkron RacersP
Jamie SouthernAkron RacersP / UT
Catchers
Ashley CourtneyNew England RiptideC / OF
Ryan Realmuto New York JuggernautC
Jenny ToppingAkron RacersC
Infield
Lyndsey AngusNew England RiptideUT
Crystl BustosAkron Racers3B
Kristin JohnsonAkron RacersSS
Carri LetoNew York Juggernaut2B
Natasha WatleyNew York JuggernautSS
Kellie WilkersonNew England Riptide1B /OF
Sarah AndersonNew England Riptide1B
Outfield
Iyhlia McMichaelAkron RacersOF
Trena PeelNew York JuggernautOF
Nicole TrimboliAkron Racers1B /OF

Annual awards

Source:[21]

AwardPlayerTeam
Player of the Year Award Kristen ZaleskiTexas Thunder
Co-Pitchers of the YearJennie FinchChicago Bandits
Lauren BayChicago Bandits
Homerun Derby ChampionStacey NuvemanArizona Heat
Defensive Player of the YearLisa IancinNew England Riptide
Offensive Player of the YearCrystl BustosAkron Racers
Co-Managers of the YearChicago Bandits -- Eugene Lenti and Mickey Dean

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Arizona Heat Home Field Receives a Make-Over. OurSportsCentral.com. 5 June 2015. 5 April 2005.
  2. Web site: Expansion Team Picks Up Olympic Players. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 14 October 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905170932/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=264. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  3. Web site: Stadium. New England Riptide. 19 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20050701234328/http://neriptide.com/stadium/. 1 July 2005.
  4. Web site: NY Juggernaut and Texas Thunder Announce New Home Stadiums for 2005 Season. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 18 May 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115027/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=286. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Wrigley Field new home for Texas Thunder. OurSportsCentral.com. 5 June 2015. 20 May 2005.
  6. Web site: NY/NJ JUGGERNAUT AND NPF ANNOUNCE SECOND SEASON OF LEAGUE PLAY. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 24 January 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905110808/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=269. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Iveson Set to Manage Heat in 2005. OurSportsCentral.com. 5 June 2015. 21 April 2005.
  8. Web site: NPF ANNOUNCES 2005 TV SCHEDULE. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 8 June 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905103408/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=309. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: NPF ANNOUNCES 2005 COLLEGE SENIOR SELECTIONS. ProFastpitch.com. 7 February 2005. 3 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905111917/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=271. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  10. Web site: Lou Antoine. By Lou Antoine. SISalukis.com. 3 June 2015. 8 February 2005.
  11. Web site: NY/NJ JUGGERNAUT ANNOUNCE SIGNING OF NATASHA WATLEY. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 16 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905104315/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=272. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  12. Web site: Arizona Heat Sign Their Third Gold Medalist. OurSportsCentral.com. 5 June 2015. 13 May 2005.
  13. Web site: Olympians Bustos, Kretschman and Topping to Play for Racers in 2005. Profastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 10 March 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905111800/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=274. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  14. Web site: NPF ANNOUNCES 2005 SCHEDULE. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 23 March 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20101205095007/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=275. 5 December 2010. dead. dmy-all.
  15. Web site: Bandits Advance to Championship Game. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 27 August 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905105207/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=477. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  16. Web site: Bob Hurst. Thunder ousted in semifinal. Houston Chronicle. 5 June 2015. 28 August 2005.
  17. Web site: RACERS WIN 2005 NPF CHAMPIONSHIP. Profastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 30 August 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905112600/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=479. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  18. Web site: East beats West. Profastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. 30 August 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905102625/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/index.html?article_id=480. 5 September 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  19. Web site: 2005 NPF ALL-STAR ROSTER - WEST TEAM. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043715/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/TEAM%20NPF%20ARCHIVES/05%20West%20ALL%20STAR%20Roster.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  20. Web site: 2005 NPF ALL-STAR ROSTER - EAST TEAM. ProFastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040147/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/TEAM%20NPF%20ARCHIVES/05%20East%20ALL%20STAR%20Roster.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead.
  21. Web site: 2005 NPF Awards. profastpitch.com. 5 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211716/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/Award%20Archives/2005%20Award%20Winners.pdf. 3 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.