Little League International, National Pro Fastpitch Hosting Little League Softball Days throughout Summer

By Communications Division
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
July 13, 2009

Little League International and National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) successfully hosted a pair of National Little League Softball Days in June, and several more regional Little League Softball dates have been set throughout the summer of 2009.

“Little League Days have been an exciting addition to the NPF season,” Cheri Kempf, National Pro Fastpitch President and Commissioner, said. “As a league full of willing and able quality athletes, who truly enjoy the role model status they are provided through professional sport, the NPF welcomes the opportunity for the interaction of professional athletes with their amateur counterparts. We feel this is just the beginning of a worthwhile relationship with one of the world’s largest sports organizations, and we look forward to broadening our involvement with Little League in the future.”

Among the many talented players in the NPF, Jennie Finch of the Chicago Bandits often draws a large applause when she steps into the pitching circle.

This season, the 6-foot-1 former Olympian has compiled a 4-1 pitching record, highlighted by a perfect game against the Philadelphia Force. Ms. Finch struck out 12 of the 21 batters to record the perfect game.

To date, NPF hitters have not had much success against Ms. Finch, who has posted a 2.07 ERA in 27.1 innings of work. Of the 98 batters she’s faced, there have been only nine hits against her, while the windmill ace has recorded 36 total strikeouts (13 looking).

During the Bandits’ recent series with the Force in Allentown, Pa., Ms. Finch and her Bandit teammates, along with members of the Force had the opportunity to meet several local Little League Softball players, and signed plenty of autographs during one of the National Little League Softball Days.

“Little League Days are one of the biggest reasons the NPF wanted to be involved with the Little League International organization,” Ms. Kempf said. “Being able to host the young athletes in our ballparks gives us a chance to expose them to our elite professional athletes in a close and personal way. I hope every Little League player has a chance to see an NPF game this year and to be recognized in our parks on one of the many Little League Days throughout the summer.”

For more information about National Pro Fastpitch teams, visit www.profastpitch.com.

The Little League Softball program was created in 1974. Annually, Little League International operates four softball World Series tournaments in the Major (ages 11-12), Junior (13-14); Senior (13-16); and Big League (14-18) divisions. In 2008, more than 360,000 players (ages 5-18) played Little League Softball on nearly 24,000 teams.

“Collectively, it is our belief that working with NPF will nurture and enrich the enjoyment that comes with playing the game of softball,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “We want the end result to be more leagues chartering softball, and more players participating at different divisions. Our expectation is that local leagues will benefit from this relationship in a variety of ways.”

In January 2009, National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and Little League International established a partnership that provides the Little League Softball program with additional training and education resources, and expands awareness and opportunities for NPF and the nearly 400,000 girls who play in the various divisions of Little League Softball. 

Little Leaguers will have the opportunity to watch and meet all NPF teams this season. Below is a list of all NPF’s Little League Regional Softball Nights.
 
NPF’s Little League Regional Dates
(*Central U.S. Time)

Akron Racers - Firestone Stadium
Thursday, July 23 - 7:05 p.m.
 
Chicago Bandits - Judson Softball Complex
*Wednesday, August 12 - 7:05 p.m.
 
Florida Pride – Pride Park at Osceola County High School
Saturday, July 25 - 7:05 p.m.
 
Philadelphia Force - ECTB Stadium at Bicentennial Park
Sunday, July 12 - 5:35 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28 - 7:35 p.m.
 
Rockford Thunder - Thunder Park
*Thursday, July 16 - 7:05 p.m.
                                                         
To learn more about National Pro Fastpitch, log on to: www.profastpitch.com.

For more information on Little League Softball, contact Sara Thompson, Little League International Softball Manager, at: 570-326-1921, ext. 217; or, e-mail: sthompson@LittleLeague.org. Little League’s website is: www.LittleLeague.org.