2014 National Pro Fastpitch season

2014 NPF Season
League National Pro Fastpitch
Sport softball
Duration May 30, 2014-August 17, 2014
Number of teams 4
TV partner(s) CBS Sports Network
2014 NPF Draft
Top draft pick Dallas Escobedo 1B
Arizona State
Picked by Pennsylvania Rebellion
Regular Season
Ringor Cup USSSA Pride
Cowles Cup
Champions USSSA Pride
Cowles Cup MVP Cat Osterman
USSSA Pride

The 2014 National Pro Fastpitch season is the eleventh season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch for the only professional women's softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2004, NPF operated under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). Play began on May 30 in Salisbury, Maryland, between the Pennsylvania Rebellion and the USSSA Pride.

Milestones and Events

The NY/NJ Comets did not play in 2014, and their roster and draft positions were inherited by an expansion team, Pennsylvania Rebellion.The Rebellion played home games in Washington, Pennsylvania in Consol Energy Park.[1]

Standings

Teams W L Pct. GB
USSSA Pride 33 15 0.688 —
Chicago Bandits 30 18 0.625 3
Akron Racers 24 24 .500 9
Pennsylvania Rebellion 9 39 0.188 24

NPF Championship Series

The top four teams from the regular season qualify for the championship playoffs. The highest-seeded semifinal winner then hosted the championship final.

NPF Semifinals NPF Championship
      
1 USSSA Pride 2
4 Pennsylvania Rebellion 0
1 USSSA Pride 2
3 Akron Racers 0
2 Chicago Bandits 1
3 Akron Racers 2
2014 NPF Semifinals
USSSA Pride defeat Pennsylvania Rebellion 2–0
Game Date Score Series
(USSSA–PA) 		Location Time
1 August 20 USSSA Pride 6, Pennsylvania Rebellion 0 1–0 Hoover, Alabama 6:00
2 August 21 USSSA Pride 3, Pennsylvania Rebellion 2 1–0 Hoover, Alabama 3:30
2014 NPF Semifinals
Akron Racers defeat Chicago Bandits 2–1
Game Date Score Series
(AKR–CHI) 		Location Time
1 August 20 Akron Racers 2, Chicago Bandits 1 1–0 Hoover, Alabama 2:30
2 August 21 Chicago Bandits 4, Akron Racers 1 1–1 Hoover, Alabama 6:30
3 August 22 Akron Racers 1, Chicago Bandits 0 2–1 Hoover, Alabama 11:30
2014 NPF Championship Series
USSSA Pride defeat Akron Racers 2–0
Game Date Score Series
(USSSA–AKR) 		Location Time
1 August 22 USSSA Pride 6, Akron Racers 0 [2] 1–0 Hoover, Alabama
2 August 23 USSSA Pride 8, Akron Racers 3 [3] 2–0 Hoover, Alabama

League Leaders

Final totals

Batting Leaders

Stat Player Total
AVG Natasha Watley (USSSA) .403
HR Brittany Cervantes (CHI) 12
RBI Nerissa Myers (AKR) 43
R Emily Allard (CHI) 35
H Emily Allard (CHI) 57
SB Brejae Washington (USSSA) 17

Pitching leaders

Stat Player Total
W Cat Osterman (USSSA) 16
L Dallas Escobedo (PA)
Sarah Pauly (PA) 		11
ERA Cat Osterman (USSSA) 0.56
K Cat Osterman (USSSA) 160
IP Rachele Fico (AKR) 106
SV Jordan Taylor (USSSA) 3

Annual awards[4]

Award Player Team Stat
Player of the Year Award Andrea Duran USSSA Pride .362 batting average, 47 hits, 26 RBI, 7 doubles, one triple and two homeruns. Led the league in OBP (.478) and walks (27)
Pitcher of the Year Cat Osterman USSSA Pride led the league with 160 Ks and 0.560 ERA. Undefeated at 16 – 0 and threw a no-hitter on July 5, 2014.
Rookie of the Year Madison Shipman USSSA Pride .344 BA, 28 RBI and 5 HR. Led the league in doubles.
Defensive Player of the Year Tammy Williams Chicago Bandits
Offensive Player of the Year Nerissa Myers Akron Racers 50 H, 5 2B, 9 HR, 6 SB, .474 OBP. Lead the league in RBI (43), 2 out-RBI’s (19), and slugging % (.599).
Home Run Award Brittany Cervantes Chicago Bandits 12 HR
Diamond Spike Award [note 1] Breja’e Washington USSSA Pride 17 SB
Coaching Staff of the Year Akron Racers -- Brian Levin (HEAD COACH) and Dustin Combs (ASSISTANT COACH)
Jennie Finch Award[note 2] Kelley Montalvo Akron Racers

Notes

  1. ↑ The Diamond Spike Award is given to the player with the most stolen bases
  2. ↑ The Jennie Finch award is given to the player who best exemplifies the character and qualities of its famous namesake, and who is considered to positively impact the game both on and off the field.
2014 All-NPF Team
Position Name Team
PitcherCat Osterman USSSA Pride
Pitcher Monica Abbott Chicago Bandits
Pitcher Rachele Fico Akron Racers
Pitcher Michelle Gascoigne Chicago Bandits
CatcherKristen ButlerChicago Bandits
1st Base Brittany Cervantes Chicago Bandits
2nd BaseLauren Lappin Pennsylvania Rebellion
3rd BaseAndrea Duran USSSA Pride
ShortstopTammy WilliamsChicago Bandits
Outfield Caitlin Lowe USSSA Pride
Outfield Natasha Watley USSSA Pride
Outfield(tie) Megan Wiggins Chicago Bandits
Outfield(tie)Emily Allard Chicago Bandits
At-LargeNerissa MyersAkron Racers
At-LargeMadison ShipmanUSSSA Pride
At-Large Sara Pauly Pennsylvania Rebellion
At-LargeKelley MontalvoAkron Racers
At-LargeAshley ThomasAkron Racers
At-Large Jill Barrett Akron Racers
NPF Championship Series MVP[5]
Player Club Record
Cat Osterman USSSA Pride threw a complete-game shutout with 12 strikeouts in game 1.

References

  1. ↑ Chris Dugan (20 November 2013). "Washington gets women’s professional softball team". Wasgington Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "USSSA Pride Take Game One of NPF Championship with 1-0 Win Over Akron Racers". 23 August 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "USSSA Pride Capture Second Consecutive Cowles Cup with 8-3 Win over Akron Racers in Game Two of NPF Championship". Fastpitch News. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "2014 NPF Awards Banquet Honors Season Performances". Sports Page Magazine. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "USSSA Pride Defeats The Akron Racers, 8 – 3, To Win Their Second Consecutive Cowles Cup". Retrieved 21 April 2015.