USSSA Pride Trade Shipman and Del Ponte for Draft Picks
April 8, 2016 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
USSSA Pride News Release
Kissimmee, FL - The USSSA Florida Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announce the trade of Madison Shipman and Brigette Del Ponte to the Scrap Yard Dawgs in exchange for 2016 and 2017 NPF College Draft picks. The Pride acquire the rights to the 13th overall pick in the 2016 draft and Scrap Yard's first pick in the second and third rounds of the 2017 NPF College Draft.
"Coming into the 2016 season, we lost some key veteran players and added a new coaching staff. After evaluating the roster with our new staff and the roles of each player, we felt this move was the best thing for these players and their careers as every day players," said Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis.
The 2016 NPF season will be the inaugural season for the Scrap Yard Dawgs franchise as they become the sixth NPF affiliate team. This is something DeDonatis took into consideration with the trade. "I feel this trade is a win-win for everyone. It helps these individual players, it helps the future of the Pride by adding high draft picks, and most important to me, we are helping a new franchise with the addition of two experienced players who will contribute right away."
Shipman, the second overall pick in the 2014 NPF Draft, earned Rookie of the Year honors in her first season. The former Tennessee Volunteer and SEC Player of the Year hit .344 in 2014 with 28 RBIs and 21 runs scored. Last season, the shortstop hit .198 with one homerun and 10 RBIs.
Del Ponte will enter her fourth year in the NPF having spent her rookie season with the Akron Racers and the last two seasons with the Pride. The athletic Del Ponte saw time in both the infield and outfield and provided a powerful right-handed bat off the bench. She had 19 hits in 78 at-bats last season with 4 homeruns and 15 RBIs.
With the trade, the Pride now own five of the first 18 draft picks in this year's draft.
First Round
2nd Overall (acquired in trade with Dallas Charge in 2015 draft)
5th Overall
Second Round
12th Overall
Third Round
13th Overall (acquired from Scrap Yard)
18th Overall
Fourth Round
25th Overall
Fifth Round
32nd Overall
Sixth Round
39th Overall
The 2016 NPF College Draft presented by Bownet will take place on April 14th in Nashville. For the second straight year, the draft can be watched live on CBS Sports Network at 8:00 PM est. Fans can purchase tickets to the draft on www.profastpitch.com.
The Pride open their 2016 season against the Scrap Yard Dawgs on June 10th in Conroe, TX. For all information, check out the Pride's website at www.usssapride.com and follow the Pride on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Discuss this story on the National Pro Fastpitch message board...
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from April 8, 2016
- USSSA Pride Trade Shipman and Del Ponte for Draft Picks - USSSA Pride
- Scrap Yard Dawgs Trade for Shipman and Del Ponte - Scrap Yard Dawgs
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.
