2013 NPF College Draft Presented by BOWNET Set For Nashville

[NumeroUno]

2013 NPF College Draft Presented by BOWNET Set For Nashville

Nashville, Tenn.- National Pro Fastpitch announced final plans today for the 2013 College Draft. The Draft will be held in downtown Nashville, Tennessee on April 1 at 8:00 pm EST and will take place at the Ford Theatre located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Softball fans across the country will be able to share in every minute of the Draft through a live broadcast presented by NPF on ESPN3.

"We are nearing a time for passing the torch in the NPF, a time that has seen and will continue to see the Olympic stars of our game move through. Those players made courageous decisions to build the professional game of fastpitch softball for future generations," commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. "This is the time for a new generation of athletes to accept the responsibility of continuing the commitment to the professional game. These are athletes who have gained notoriety and popularity through the immense and ever-increasing television coverage of college softball. And it is these athletes who will continue to make an impact on the growing popularity of professional softball by furthering their careers at the highest competitive level possible in the NPF.”

The NPF College Draft in 2013 is presented by BOWNET, a new supporter and supplier to the NPF in 2013. “Our College Draft is such an exciting and important time for the NPF and we are thrilled that BOWNET and its President, Jack Lucas see the value in delivering this event to softball fans across the country,” said Commissioner Kempf. “We look forward to a long lasting relationship with BOWNET and hope the opportunity continues for Draft coverage in the future.”

The NPF College Draft by BOWNET will feature 5 rounds of 4 selections for a total of 20 overall draftees in the 2013 rookie class. Drafting an athlete gives an NPF affiliate team rights to that athlete for two full seasons. Since 2010, the #1 draft pick has come out of the Southeastern Conference. Last year’s first choice overall went to the USSSA Pride, who selected LSU’s Brittany Mack.

With a last place finish in the 2012 standings, the Akron Racer’s are positioned to make the first selection in the 2013 Draft. The NY/NJ Comets, the newest team to the League, will be drafting in the second spot overall followed by the Chicago Bandits in third. The USSSA Pride, winners of the 2012 regular season Ringor Cup, will be drafting in the fourth overall position. Trades and negotiations right up until selection time, may alter the order.

The Draft will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and fans can also follow along with the event through league and teams Facebook and Twitter sites. The 2013 Draft order currently is positioned as follows:


1. Akron Racers
2. NY/NJ Comets
3. Chicago Bandits
4. USSSA Pride

5. Akron Racers
6. NY/NJ Comets
7. Chicago Bandits
8. USSSA Pride

9. Akron Racers
10. NY/NJ Comets
11. Chicago Bandits
12. USSSA Pride

13. Chicago Bandits (Trade with Akron 2012)
14. NY/NJ Comets
15. Chicago Bandits
16. USSSA Pride

17. USSSA Pride(Trade with Akron 2012)
18. NY/NJ Comets
19. Chicago Bandits
20. USSSA Pride




About National Pro Fastpitch

National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. 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 of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

[jonriv]

How many "drafted" players turndown offers because of their real jobs?

[Trophy Hunter]

There must be some kind of player registration for the draft, so teams know what players want to play NPF.

[freetacos]

I hope NPF can survive. I know several kids that played NPF and I believe all of them would say that playing at that level was a positive experience. Hey the opportunity is there only once. The real world can wait an extra year or so...

ft

[NumeroUno]

Lets see work or softball , work or softball no brainer Eh

[jonriv]

I hope NPF can survive. I know several kids that played NPF and I believe all of them would say that playing at that level was a positive experience. Hey the opportunity is there only once. The real world can wait an extra year or so...

ft

Is it no more lucrative(and perhaps more interesting) to play in Italy or The Netherlands?

[NumeroUno]

Jon don't some of those girls do both.

[jonriv]

not sure

I think NPF could learn something from those leagues(Japan included) they seem to be more successful

[NumeroUno]

They just need all of us to support them

[NumeroUno]

Here is the response I got from the NPF

In regards to the draft, there is communication between college coaches and the League Office and the Teams regarding if players are interested in playing in the NPF in the upcoming summer season. Players may also express interest on their own to the League Office and/or to the teams expressing their interest or non-interest in playing in the NPF.