National Pro Fastpitch Announces 2007 College Draft Selections![]() The NPF showcases the nations best softball players. The NPF Draft gives us the opportunity to tap into the elite softball talent from the college level and bring it to our fans, said newly appointed NPF Commissioner Cheri Kempf. We are excited at the prospect of adding the hottest college players to our teams and bringing even more electricity to our 2007 season. As was announced on February 9th, 2006, the six NPF teams competing in 2007 include the 2006 Defending Champions, the New England Riptide, the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Rockford Thunder, the Washington Glory, the leagues newest team and the Philadelphia Force who will be operating under new ownership. The Michigan Ice will fill-in on a limited basis as the seventh team in 2007 with hopes of getting qualified investors to support the team which would allow them to join the league on a full-time basis in 2008. The Arizona Heat intend on returning to the mix with new team owners in 2008. Following is a list of college players in order of selection: Round One: Chicago Bandits - Lindsay Schutzler Tennessee Shortstop New England - Eileen Canney Northwestern Pitcher Philadelphia Force - Brianne McGowan Oregon State Pitcher New England - Garland Cooper Northwestern First Base Chicago Bandits - Kristie Fox Arizona Shortstop Akron Racers - Norrelle Dickson Oklahoma Utility Akron Racers - Kellie Middleton Georgia Outfield Philadelphia Force Ashley DeBuhr Nebraska Pitcher Round Two: Philadelphia Force - Leslie Klein LSU Outfield Chicago Bandits Megan, Willis University of Texas - C/Utility Chicago Bandits - Stephanie Brown - Notre Dame - Outfield *Washington Glory - Monica Abbott Tennessee Pitcher Akron Racers - Kasi Carroll Georgia Pitcher Washington Glory Amber Jackson Univ. of Maryland Utility Washington Glory - Lisa Ferguson Baylor Pitcher *Pick traded from Chicago Bandits Round Three: Rockford Thunder Abbie Sims North Carolina State - Pitcher Rockford Thunder - Audrey Rendon Louisville 3B New England Riptide - Alex Sutton California Outfield Akron Racers - India Chiles Tennessee - Outfield Washington Glory - Chelsi Lake Baylor Infield Philadelphia Force - Emily Turner LSU Pitcher Round Four: Philadelphia Force - Megan McAllister Georgia Infield Rockford Thunder - Cassidy Scoggins Southern Illinois - Pitcher Philadelphia Force Sharonda McDonald Texas A & M - Outfield Akron Racers - Britteny Robinson Kent State - Pitcher Washington Glory Ashley Monceaux Baylor 1B Philadelphia Force Mia Longfellow Oregon State Utility Due to NCAA regulations, an active college senior-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until her 2007 college season is finished. Major League Baseball is the Official Development Partner of National Professional Fastpitch in the category of women's professional fastpitch softball. The partnership, which began the fall of 2002, is part of The Commissioner's Initiative on Women and Baseball, a league-wide effort to help Major League Baseball and the 30 Major League Clubs build stronger relationships with female audiences. National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). The league was acquired by team owners in January of 2005 from the Cowles family, founders of the league. # # # |