2009 National Professional Fastpitch Draftees Include Those with Ties to Little League

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2009 National Professional Fastpitch Draftees Include Those with Ties to Little League

The partnership between National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) and Little League International was announced on Feb. 9, 2009. This partnership will provide many opportunities to build awareness about NPF with Little League Softball players who have aspirations to continue playing softball at the Collegiate and Professional level.

One question often asked is “How do NPF Teams acquire their players?” What people will come to learn is not only how players are acquired, whether being signed as a free agent, or by being drafted, but how many players formed their love for the game by playing on Little League teams!

NPF players are typically in their early to mid-twenties, with more than ten years of playing experience – including some at the international level.  These veteran players are typically re-signed to contracts on a yearly basis with their respective teams or as Free Agents.  NPF also holds a player draft of college seniors each year to add incoming talent to team rosters, however, due to NCAA regulations; an active college senior-athlete is not eligible to sign with her respective franchise until her collegiate season is completed.

National Pro Fastpitch and its five-affiliate teams held the 2009 NPF College Senior Draft on Feb. 17th, which was broadcast live for the first time in league history at The Softball Channel.com, from the Cambria Suites Akron-Canton Airport location, official host of the event.

The Pac-10 and SEC conferences led the way in this season’s draft with six and four picks, respectively. Sacramento State, Oklahoma University, Stanford University, University of Florida, and University of Houston each had two players chosen in the draft.

Each team had at least three selections in the five-round draft. The Akron Racers held eight of the 25 overall picks due to a draft-day trade with the Washington Glory for the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, which gave Akron the top two picks in the draft. The Rockford Thunder, Philadelphia Force and Chicago Bandits rounded out the first round.
 
With the first pick in the draft the Racers selected Arizona State’s All-American, Kaitlin Cochran.  Akron followed-up the selection of Cochran with another All-American in Oklahoma pitcher D.J. Mathis.

Rounding out the first round, the Rockford Thunder selected University of Houston outfielder Laurie Wagner with the No. 3 pick in the draft, while the Philadelphia Force chose Baylor’s Brette Reagan at No. 4. The Chicago Bandits selected UMass pitcher Brandice Balschmiter with the final pick of the first round.

Drafted players also included those who formed the foundation for their softball careers at the Little League level.
 
The Racers made their third pick of the draft at No. 7 and chose Iowa pitcher Brittany Weil.  Weil played Little League from ages 8-12 in the West Garden Grove Softball League in California.  “West Grove really taught me the basics of softball, and it was in that League where I developed my passion for the sport.  It was also great because I was fortunate enough to have my dad as an assistant coach.  Playing Little League was an important step for me, not only as a softball player, but as a person.  Things like hard work, leadership and responsibility were stressed at a young age, and those are traits I carry with me today.”

The Chicago Bandits added Northwestern infielder Tammy Williams with the No. 10 pick to close out the second round.  Williams played in the El Dorado Springs (Mo.) Little League Softball program.  She started playing coach-pitch at age 7 and continued to move her way up in the system until she was 12.  "I had a great time playing Little League,” said Williams.  “Little League is when you learn to play the game and work together with other kids. It's really when you learn to love the game because you have such a good time out there with your friends."

Philadelphia’s final selection came in the fourth round and No. 16 overall. They chose Penn State outfielder Danielle Kinley who started playing softball for the Carlsbad Youth Softball Association at age 8.  “Without Little League I wouldn’t have discovered my love for softball and be where I am now,” said Kinley.

Akron added University of Oregon outfielder Sari-Jane Jenkins for the 19th pick.  Jenkins played Little League t-ball when she was five and continued until she was 12 in the “Major Leagues”.  “I was so excited before each practice and game, and would often ask my mom if I could put on my uniform hours before we would leave. I would even wear my cleats just to watch my brothers play baseball and even basketball - that's how fun it was for me to put a uniform on. If it was the day of a game, I often couldn't wait, and I would drag my brother or my mom out hours before a game just to play catch. Back then, playing Little League was an important step for me. I learned the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, hard work and setting goals ... all while being around my friends - it was a great balance.”

With the final pick of the draft, the Chicago Bandits chose outfielder Izmena Cabrera from Sacramento State.  Cabrera played baseball for the Vacaville Little League in Vacaville, California from ages 7-10.  According to Cabrera, “I was the only girl on the team, and became extremely competitive while keeping up with the boys.  Playing Little League really allowed me to develop a love and appreciation for both baseball and softball."

Upon signing professional contracts with the NPF, these draftees will join the absolute best and most decorated players in the game. The quality of their athleticism and talents is extraordinary, and their ability to entertain and inspire through sport is equal to any professional sport option today – men or women.  NPF games exhibit raw hustle and athleticism within the competition, with player to player and team to team match-ups that are un-rivaled anywhere in the world! 

You can be a part of the NPF Fastpitch action by JOINING the TEAM NPF FAN CLUB presented by Rip-It Sporting Goods. 

More info on the NPF Draft and Player Acquisition can be found in the FAQ section of the NPF Website.

Click here for a complete list of student athletes selected in the NPF College Senior Draft.