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NPF Akron Racers

Akron's Carla Brookbank-Schaal is the Racers' First Impact Honoree

March 8, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Akron Racers News Release


Akron Racers Pitcher Carla Brookbank-Schaal
Akron Racers Pitcher Carla Brookbank-Schaal
(Akron Racers)

AKRON, OH - As the Akron Racers enter their 15th Season of Play in 2016, there is no better place to begin honoring the players that have had the greatest impact on the history of the franchise than with the player who threw the very first pitch. That honor belongs to the Springfield grad, Carla Brookbank-Schaal. The multi-talented, pitcher extraordinaire, Carla Brookbank-Schaal has clearly defined the Racers and perhaps the game in Akron, OH.

"The was no more impactful moment for me, personally and professionally, than when Carla stepped into the circle at Firestone Stadium wearing the Racers uniform on opening night," explains GM, Joey Arrietta. "This was historic not just for Akron but for the continuing existence of the league today."

Brookbank-Schaal threw a complete game against the Virginia Roadsters on May 14, 1999 in an 8-5 victory to launch the league's oldest franchise into the NPF record book. Brookbank-Schaal surrendered only two earned runs limiting the Roadsters to just five hits. Batting in the fifth spot in the Racers' lineup, feisty #4 went 1-for-3, driving in Akron's first run in Racers' history.

Brookbank-Schaal's first pitch of the game was a strike, just one of many firsts she would lay claim to that night. Brookbank-Schaal also picked up the first strikeout, RBI, victory and complete game in franchise history.

The first game in Racer history wouldn't be the only time Brookbank-Schaal would appear in the spotlight for the Racers. Akron and Brookbank-Schaal battled the Tampa Bay FireStix in the 1999 WPSL Championship Series. In Game 1, Brookbank-Schaal and Tampa Bay ace Dee Dee Weiman-Garcia locked horns for 12 innings before the FireStix would eventually edge Akron, 3-2, in the first thriller, of many, in team history.

Brookbank-Schaal pitched for Akron in 1999 and 2000, starting 24 of 33 games, throwing 161.1 innings, allowing 149 hits and 47 walks, while striking out 50 batters and compiling 2.26 ERA, throwing 10 complete games and two shutouts.

The former Springfield High School standout led her team, the Spartans, to two OHSAA State Titles. Brookbank-Schaal returned to the Racers for the 2011 season where she mentored a very young staff that had only five years of professional experience.

Her impact on the Racers franchise was immeasurable enough to make Brookbank-Schaal one of only three players to have their numbers retired. Brookbank-Schaal's #4 is honored next to Amy Kyler's #24 and Crystl Bustos' #6 inside Firestone Stadium.

The Racers will proudly celebrate Brookbank-Schaal and the 29 other IMPACT honorees that will be announced every Tuesday and Thursday in the coming weeks prior to the 2016 season. All 30 players will be honored in a weekend-long celebration of the team's history on July 15-17 when the Dallas Charge comes to town. Along with other festivities, each of the IMPACT honorees will be recognized in a special ceremony and presented a personalized commemorative jersey with their name and number. Invitations to all former players, coaches, umpires and league officials will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead as the Racers countdown the 30 IMPACT Award recipients culminating with the final announcement on June 3.




Images from this story

Akron Racers Pitcher Carla Brookbank-Schaal
Akron Racers Pitcher Carla Brookbank-Schaal
   



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