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NPF Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois

Canadian Wild Return to Southern Illinois for 2020

November 21, 2019 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois News Release


Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners are proud to announce that their partnership with Softball Canada will continue into 2020, as the Canadian Wild of Southern Illinois will return to Rent One Park to play their second season in Southern Illinois and National Pro Fastpitch (NPF).

The Wild are made up entirely of players from Softball Canada and the Canadian National Team, which qualified for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this past September. They completed their first season in Marion and the NPF in 2019, bringing professional softball to Southern Illinois for the first time since 2012.

The Wild will once again play a full NPF schedule beginning in May of 2020, with home games taking place at Rent One Park, leading into the Olympics in late July and early August.

"We are excited about the 2020 season, and to play in front of our great Southern Illinois fans," said Softball Canada and Canadian Wild Head Coach Mark Smith.

"We are very excited to have the Wild back again this year," added Miners COO Mike Pinto. "Our great partnership with Softball Canada gives all of us in Southern Illinois a chance to see Olympic-quality players close to home, These players are not only some of the best softball players in the world, but have been wonderful to our fans, and role models to all young women here."

Softball Canada is currently ranked third in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). They are one of only six countries/teams to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, along with host nation Japan, the United States, Italy, Mexico, and Australia. Softball fans in Southern Illinois will have the unique opportunity to see three of those teams- Canada, Australia, and Italy- play series at Rent One Park this summer.

"Softball Canada is delighted to be partnering with the Southern Illinois Miners organization and the NPF to bring Wild softball back to Marion, Illinois for the 2020 season," said Hugh Mitchener, CEO of Softball Canada. "The 2019 season was such a great experience for our team, and we are looking forward to another great experience in 2020 leading into the Olympic Games."

National Pro Fastpitch will be entering their 17th season in 2020. Teams currently hail from three continents, with players representing the national teams of six different countries in international competition. They include the best of the best softball players in the world, including Women's College World Series Champions and MVP's, NCAA record holders, various conference players of the year and many All-Americans.

"We are so very proud of our continued relationship with Softball Canada, a relationship that will be extra-special in 2020 as we watch them compete for Olympic gold in Tokyo," added Cheri Kempf, the Commissioner of the NPF. "The partnership between Softball Canada and the Southern Illinois Miners' staff and ownership has added a high-quality product to professional softball in the NPF. We are grateful for the vision and commitment of everyone involved to continue to grow softball at the highest level, a commitment we know will make a consistent difference for our sport."

Game days and times will be announced at a later date.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the Frontier League's most-successful franchise since debuting in 2007, winning the 2012 Frontier League Championship as well as division titles in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the box office at (618) 998-8499. For additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.



National Pro Fastpitch Stories from November 21, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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