National Pro Fastpitch is in its off season and is scheduling tryouts. For those who are unfamiliar it is the professional women’s fast pitch softball league. It began in 2001 when the Women’s Pro Softball League folded after four years in existence.

The league consists of six teams that are located in the Northeast and Midwest and their season runs through the summer months. The games are televised in team’s local market on FSN. ESPN broadcasts some softball, but they are usually delayed telecasts. Additionally, they are more likely to televise the WNT. Although with no Olympics to hype the team, they may opt to back off like they did with the NHL. While TV has remained largely local, the league did have internet broadcasts of their championship series that was won by the Chicago Bandits.

The NPF does extensive development work in softball as a way to create interest, promote sports for young women and build a talent pool. Included in their work is their “I Play Clean” program which educates about the dangers and discourages the use of steroids.

Although she did not play this season in the NPF Jennie Finch is a member of the Bandits and will return to them for next season. She was not available because of her commitment to the WNT. Her ERA in the 2007 NPF season was 0.11, so it will be a welcome return for a team looking to repeat. Having been part of This Week in Baseball Finch is one of the better known names in softball and a role model for female athletes. She promotes the sport and is instantly recognizable. She has a large following of young women who want to be like Jennie.

NPF teams carry 22 players on their roster, so they are deeper than the WNT. Their season runs from May through August. Tickets are reasonably priced and if you live in the area of a team it is a good family night out. That is the image that the NPF reflects since they understand that it is the best way to encourage young women to take up the sport.

While the league is entering into its eighth season the seeds for the NPF were planted long before its inception. In 1989 Utah Coach John Horan worked with former player Jane Cowles regarding formation of a league. By 1991 they had developed the National Fastpitch Association and formed two touring all star teams consisting of former collegiate players. The teams toured the Midwest playing exhibition games to measure fan approval.

In 1994 Women’s Pro Fastpitch was introduced as the first professional softball league. This league had teams as far West as California with the bulk of the franchises located in the Midwest. By 1997 the WPF had expanded to the Southeast were the Orlando Wahoos were crowned the league champions. A landmark occurred during the season when Gabby Guerrero threw the first league no hitter for her Virginia team on July 31.

In 1997 the league realigned and became known as the WPSL; the name they carried until the 2001 change to the NPF. The teams from the Southwest and Southeast either reformed in more eastern locations, or suspended operations. Unfortunately, financial concerns caused the league restructuring and limited the area where teams are located. Lack of a national television audience has been one of the factors in stunting the league’s growth. ESPN has televised exhibitions against the WNT, but without live, prime time seasonal coverage, it is difficult to promote interest outside of a team’s locale. It is regrettable because the games against the WNT have drawn decent audiences despite often appearing opposite of MLB, NBA and NHL games.

The exhibitions with the WNT are welcomed within the league because it showcases their talent pool while offering up stiffer competition for the national team than they would find in the NCAA. Likewise, it increases revenue since it will draw additional fans to the ball park because they are more familiar with the WNT roster.

Like the WNBA, the financial rewards are minimal in the NPF. Coaches did not start drawing a salary until the late ‘90’s and players have to augment their four month player pay with personal appearances and endorsements. Luckily the NPF does a great job of promoting its players and securing positions conducting clinics, speaking to youth groups and product endorsement opportunities.

This month the NPF will begin conducting tryouts for their six teams. Former collegiate players are always valued since there are no instructional leagues. The fact that players like Finch and Monica Abbott are willing to leave the Southwest to play for four months without much in the way of compensation speaks volumes about their dedication to the sport. While some of the players are better known because of their time on the WNT the league has no problems with superstar egos. The players are team driven and care more about the name on the front of their jersey and helping to promote the league.

The best part about watching the NPF is the camaraderie displayed by the players. Team mates are just that, they cheer each other on and no one wears the goat horns. Wins are celebrated and loses are mourned, but there is a feeling that these women understand they are accomplishing more than just playing a game. They are paving a way for other women to take advantage of what they have initiated.

That is why they are so involved with girl’s teams, so they can show them that playing the game is something a woman can do. No one is going to get rich signing a NPF contract, but they will get the opportunity to do something they love. Willie Mays once said he stopped playing the game when it wasn’t fun anymore. In his case age and injury had removed the fun. Looking at today’s MLB player it is often hard to see fun. That isn’t the case with the NPF. The players become little girls playing in the dirt for 7 innings. Proving that maybe there is more to sports than money after all.