NPF Players to Make Appearances
June 30, 2009 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) News Release
NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf is pleased to announce that Major League Baseball's Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game will feature four star NPF players, and in addition, seven NPF players will be in St. Louis to host clinics, meet fans and sign autographs at the MLB All-Star FanFest.
The Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game will be held on Sunday, July 12 at the home of the St. Louis Cardinals in Busch Stadium and is part of the festivities and games that surround Major League Baseball's annual All-Star Game.
Catcher Kristen Butler of the Akron Races, first baseman Samantha Findlay of the Chicago Bandits, and pitcher Megan Gibson and outfielder Trena Peel, both of the Philadelphia Force will compete in the game, along with baseball legends and celebrities from the worlds of music and Hollywood.
"We are excited to once again be participating in MLB's All-Star Game festivities," said Commissioner Kempf. "The game is a great opportunity to showcase our talented players to a new audience, and MLB's FanFest allows our fans to meet their favorite players."
Butler is a 2006 graduate from the University of Florida and was the 2008 NPF Defensive Player of the Year for the NPF. Peel, an LSU graduate, is in her sixth season with the NPF and led the Force lineup in 2008 with eight long balls (T-5th in NPF) and two triples. Gibson is a 2008 draftee from Texas A&M. She threw complete-game shutouts in her first two professional starts with the Force, while posting a 5-0 record before her first defeat. Findlay, the 2008 rookie from Michigan, hit a walk-off grand slam in the Bandits 2008 regular season finale in a 6-5 victory over the Rockford Thunder to earn the Bandits the regular-season Champions title.
Other NPF players attending MLB All-Star FanFest include Sarah Pauly and Erin Glasco from the USSA Pride, Sam Banister from the Akron Racers, plus former NPF players Lisa Iancin, Amy Harre, Ashley Smith and Stephanie Best.
Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest is a baseball theme park and the largest baseball fan event in the world. It features activities and exhibits for families and fans of all ages. MLB All-Star FanFest at St. Louis' America Center will feature interactive exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions with MLB legends and Hall of Famers, memorabilia and much more. NPF will have a display area and will offer fans the chance to meet players, get autographs and free giveaway items, as well as participate in clinics on the Diamond.
National Pro Fastpitch - MLB's Official Development Partner in the category of women's fastpitch softball since 2002 - is the premier women's professional fastpitch softball league in the United States. Headquartered in Denver, the league has been in operation since 1997 under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL).
With a growing list of recognizable and marketable stars providing league and sport identity, NPF features the best women's fastpitch athletes in the world, including Olympic Gold Medalists and Collegiate All-Americans. There are five teams in the United States: Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Philadelphia Force, Rockford Thunder and USSSA Pride (Tampa, Fl). For more information, please visit the website at www.profastpitch.com. For more information on Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend activities in St. Louis, go to www.allstargame.com.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from June 30, 2009
- Force to Host Stratford Brakettes - Philadelphia Force
- Erb Named DII Athlete of the Year - Philadelphia Force
- NPF Players to Make Appearances - NPF
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.
