2000 Women's Pro Softball League season explained

2000 WPSL Season
Color:red
Color Text:white
League:Women's Professional Softball League
Sport:softball
Duration:June 19, 2000 - August 19, 2000
No Of Teams:4
Tv:ESPN2
Draft:2000 WPSL Draft
Draft Link:2000 WPSL Draft
Top Pick:Amanda Scott P
Fresno State
Finals:WPSL Championship Series
Finals Champ:Florida Wahoos
Finals Runner-Up:Ohio Pride
Seasonslist:WPSL Seasons
Seasonslistnames:WPSL
Prevseason Year:1999
Nextseason Year:2001

The 2000 Women's Professional Softball League season was the fourth season of professional women's fastpitch softball for the league named Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL). It was the WPSL's final season until the league relaunched in 2004 under the name National Pro Fastpitch. In 1997 and 1998, WPSL operated under the name Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF).

Teams, cities and stadiums

TeamCityStadium
Akron RacersAkron, OhioFirestone Stadium
Ohio Pride
Florida WahoosPlant City, FLPlant City Stadium
Tampa Bay FireStix

Milestones and Events

In October 1999, the WPSL announced a restructuring plan to consolidate the league and to facilitate a tour between the league's teams and the USA Softball Women's National Team. The plan was to take the 1999 roster of teams (Akron Racers, Carolina Diamonds, Durham Dragons, Georgia Pride, Tampa Bay FireStix, and Virginia Roadsters) and reduce it to two teams in Ohio and two teams in Florida. The tour of exhibition games against team USA was called "From Central Park to Sydney" (the 2000 Olympics were played in Sydney, Australia) and ran from May to September.[1]

The WPSL's two Florida teams were revealed as the Tampa Bay Firestix and Florida Wahoos, and the Ohio teams as the Akron Racers and Ohio Pride. These locations in Florida and Ohio were intended to be developed as national training centers for fastpitch softball.[2]

On October 14, 1999 WPSL suspended operations of the Georgia Pride, Durham Dragons, Carolina Diamonds, and Virginia Roadsters. The contracted Roadsters' players were assigned to the newly created Ohio Pride of Akron, Ohio. The contracted Georgia Pride players were assigned to the expansion Florida Wahoos of Plant City, Fla. Tampa Bay FireStix relocated to Plant City Stadium in Plant City, Fla.[3] The players of the Dragons and Diamonds became available for selection in the 2000 WPSL draft.

Player Acquisition

Player Drafts

WPSL held Draft Day 2000 on December 4 at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg, FL during the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention. Three drafts were held:[4]

Central Park to Sydney tour

As part of the run-up to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, a nine-city tour, called “Central Park to Sydney Tour,” was scheduled between WPSL teams and the USA national softball team. USA pitcher Lisa Fernandez pitched five straight perfect games, and in one of those games she struck out all 21 batters.[5]

Tour schedule and results

DATETEAMS STADIUMLOCATION[6]
Friday, June 2USA Softball 1, Florida Wahoos 0[7] Jim Frost Stadium[8] Chattanooga, TN
Friday, June 9USA Softball 1, Akron Racers 0[9] Firestone StadiumAkron, OH
Sunday, June 25USA Softball 1, Tampa Bay FireStix 0[10] Plant City StadiumPlant City, FL
Saturday, July 1USA Softball 7, Ohio Pride 0[11] Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame FieldStratford, CT
Sunday, July 16USA Softball 2, Akron Racers 1[12] Husky StadiumSeattle, WA
Sunday, July 23USA Softball 2, Florida Wahoos 0[13] Bulldog Diamond
(renamed Margie Wright Stadium in 2014)
Fresno, CA
Thursday, July 27USA Softball 2, Ohio Pride 0[14] ASA Hall of Fame StadiumOklahoma City, OK
Saturday, August 12USA Softball 3, Tampa Bay FireStix 1[15] O'Neil ParkBloomington, IL
Saturday, September 2USA Softball 1, WPSL All-Stars 0[16] Rainbow Wahine Softball StadiumHonolulu, HI
Sunday, September 3USA Softball 1, WPSL All-Stars 0[17]
Sunday, September 3USA Softball 10, WPSL All-Stars 0
(ended in 6th inning due to 'mercy' rule)[18]

League standings

Source:https://www.angelfire.com/sd/slopitch/fast.html

TeamGPWLPct.GB
Florida Wahoos32248.750-
Ohio Pride321616.5008
Akron Racers321517.4699
Tampa Bay FireStix32923.28113

WPSL Championship

The 2000 WPSL Championship Series was held at Meador Park in Springfield, Mo on August 25 and 26. The top two WPSL teams met in a best-of-three series to determine the champion.[19]

2000 WPSL Championship Series
Florida Wahoos defeat Ohio Pride 2–0[20]
Game Date Score Series
1 August 25 Florida Wahoos 3, Ohio Pride 01–0
2 August 26 Florida Wahoos 1, Ohio Pride 02–0

Statistical Leaders

WOMEN'S PRO SOFTBALL LEAGUE LEADERS (THROUGH GAMES OF 8/19/00)[22]

BATTING TOP 10 (MINIMUM 76 PLATE APPEARANCES)

BATTERTEAMAVGGABRHHRRBI
Patti BenedictFlorida Wahoos.33031106113517
Nina LindenbergFlorida Wahoos.3113290122836
Julie SmithOhio Pride.2893097102804
Jamie Foutch Ohio Pride.28432951227513
Danielle CoxAkron Racers.2752969111902
Kellyn TateAkron Racers.274308482316
Julie CrandallFlorida Wahoos.238298031903
Kim MaherFlorida Wahoos.2173092720110
Dana DeganOhio Pride.216267451614
Kendall RichardsFlorida Wahoos.214298491808
HOME RUNS
PLAYERTEAMHR
Jamie FoutchOhio Pride5
Tampa Bay FireStix4
Nina LindenbergFlorida Wahoos3
Several Players Tied at 2

RBI

PLAYERTEAMRBI
Jamie FoutchOhio Pride13
Soia MaumausoloFlorida Wahoos11
Kim MaherFlorida Wahoos10
Julie AdamsOhio Pride9
Marty LaudatoTampa Bay FireStix9

STOLEN BASES

PLAYERTEAMSB
Danielle CoxAkron Racers9
Traci ConradAkron Racers7
Julie SmithOhio Pride7
Barbara JordanTampa Bay FireStix6
Several Players Tied at 5

TEAM BATTING

TEAMAVGABRHHRBBSOSBCS
Florida Wahoos.20984768177851111167
Ohio Pride.196838651641144165238
Akron Racers.180821531487472263514
Tampa Bay FireStix.13977936108863187169
TEAM PITCHING
TEAMWLERAHCGSHOSVHRBBSO
Florida Wahoos2480.8513128150652212
Akron Racers15170.9915818631360149
Ohio Pride16161.321412183756203
Tampa Bay FireStix9231.501672530837125

PITCHING TOP 10 (MINIMUM 32 IP)

PITCHERTEAMW-LERAIPHBBSO
Florida Wahoos10- 20.2584311168
Amy KylerAkron Racers3- 50.8368432260
Liza BrownAkron Racers3- 30.8947271129
Sarah DawsonAkron Racers6- 50.9276491541
Kaci ClarkFlorida Wahoos8- 30.9482462777
Brandee McArthurOhio Pride6- 70.98107691787
Tampa Bay FireStix3-101.099674944
Heather ComptonOhio Pride7- 31.3468352481
Florida Wahoos6- 31.4473541467
Carla BrookbankAkron Racers3- 41.4449391219

WINS

PITCHERTEAMW
Steph KlaviterFlorida Wahoos10
Kaci ClarkFlorida Wahoos8
Heather ComptonOhio Pride7
Several Players Tied at 6

SAVES

PITCHERTEAMSV
Liza BrownAkron Racers2
Carla BrookbankAkron Racers1
Heather ComptonOhio Pride1
Holly KillionOhio Pride1
Brandee McArthurOhio Pride1
STRIKEOUTS
PITCHERTEAMSO
Brandee McArthurOhio Pride87
Heather ComptonOhio Pride81
Kaci ClarkFlorida Wahoos77
Steph KlaviterFlorida Wahoos68
Desarie KnipferFlorida Wahoos67

Annual awards

Source:[23]

AwardPlayerTeamNote
Most Valuable PlayerPatti BenedictFlorida Wahoos
Hitter of the YearPatti BenedictFlorida Wahoos
Home Run Champion[24] Jaime FoutchOhio Pride5 HR
Pitcher of the YearSteph KlaviterFlorida Wahoosleague leader in wins and ERA
Defensive Player of the YearJulie SmithOhio Prideonly committed two errors
Coach of the Year[25] Cindy BristowFlorida Wahoosregular-season record of 24-8 (.750), berth in the 2000 WPSL Championship Series.

WPSL All-Star Team

2000 WPSL All-Star Team roster

2000 WPSL ALL-STAR ROSTER[26]
PlayerPositionWPSL TeamCollegeHometown
Julie Adams3BOhio PrideUCLACypress, CA
Patti BenedictOFFlorida WahoosMichiganLamont, FL
Heather ComptonPOhio PrideUCLASanta Maria, CA
Danielle CoxOFAkron RacersFlorida StateAnniston, AL
Julie CrandallCFlorida WahoosUNLVSan Jose, CA
Dana DegenDPOhio PrideHawaiiLa Mesa, CA
Jaime FoutchOF/1BOhio PrideOklahoma StateEdmond, OK
Barbara JordanOFTampa Bay FireStixCSNUGranada Hills, CA
Steph KlaviterPFlorida WahoosMinnesotaNew Ulm, MN
Desarie KnipferPFlorida WahoosCP - SLOScotts Valley, CA
Amy KylerPAkron RacersCleveland StateMarshallville, OH
Nina LindenbergSSFlorida WahoosFresno StateAnaheim, CA
Kim MaherOFFlorida WahoosFresno StateOakland, CA
Kendall Richards3BFlorida WahoosTexas A&MEugene, OR
Julie Smith2BOhio PrideFresno StateGlendora, CA
Kellyn TateOFAkron RacersMichiganChesterfield, MO
Head Coach: Cindy Bristow, Florida Wahoos

The USA Olympic softball team played a doubleheader against each NPF All-Star Team on July 13. The Olympians swept the games beating the East 5-0, and edging the West 5-3 in 9 innings.[27] The West All-Stars beat the East by a score of 1-0 on July 14. Nancy Evans was named the Most Valuable Player.[28]

External links

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: "From Central Park to Sydney". ProSoftball.com. 23 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20000121224259/http://www.prosoftball.com/story.asp?id=193. 21 January 2000.
  2. Web site: WPSL teams select world's top fastpitch talent . ProSoftball.com . 23 July 2015 . February 29, 2000 . 4 December 1999 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20000229101517/http://www.prosoftball.com/Story.asp?id=195 .
  3. Web site: NPF History. ProFastpitch.com. 23 July 2015. 11 August 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20080705041346/http://www.profastpitch.com/about/history/. 2008-07-05. dead.
  4. Web site: Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL) Holds "Draft Day 2000". ProSoftball.com. 26 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816094552/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/drftday_120499.shtml. 16 August 2000.
  5. Web site: Famous Softball Players - Lisa Fernandez. SoftballPerformance.com. 1 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180625104104/http://www.softballperformance.com/famous-softball-players/lisa-fernandez.html. 25 June 2018. dead.
  6. Web site: WPSL Central Park to Sydney Tour. ProSoftball.com. 2 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010202210400/http://www.prosoftball.com/cp2s.shtml. 2 February 2001.
  7. Web site: USA Softball Women's National Team edges Florida Wahoos 1-0 in "Central Park to Sydney". ProSoftball.com. 2 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209125310/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_060200.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  8. Web site: Florida Wahoos vs USA Softball Box Score. USASoftball.com. 2 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010116120000/http://www.usasoftball.com/CPTS/gamestats/cpts01.htm. 16 January 2001.
  9. Web site: USA Softball Women's National Team tops Akron Racers in game two of "Central Park to Sydney". ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209125840/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/akron_060900.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  10. Web site: Tampa Bay FireStix fall to USA Softball Women's National Team 1-0 in game three of "Central Park to Sydney". ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209124755/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_062500.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  11. Web site: USA Softball slugs three home runs in 7-0 defeat of the Ohio Pride in game four of "Central Park to Sydney". ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209125113/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_070100.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  12. Web site: Lori Harrigan leads the USA Softball Women's National Team past the Akron Racers 2-1 despite Liza Brown's homer. ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209130009/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_071600.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  13. Web site: Sheila Douty's two-run single gives USA Softball a 2-0 "Central Park to Sydney" victory over the Florida Wahoos. ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209124506/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_072300.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  14. Web site: Stacey Nuveman's two-run home run gives the women's national team a seventh consecutive victory over the WPSL. ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209125439/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_072700.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  15. Web site: Seventh-inning rally falls short as Williams leads the USA Softball past the Tampa Bay FireStix 3-1. ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010209124512/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_081200.shtml. 9 February 2001.
  16. Web site: O'Brien-Amico gives the USA Softball Women's National Team a 1-0 win over the WPSL All-Star Team. ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010719190308/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_090200.shtml. 19 July 2001.
  17. Web site: Lori Harrigan and Sheila Douty lead USA Softball past the WPSL All-Star Team 1-0 in game one Sunday. ProSoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010719190906/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_090300.shtml. 19 July 2001.
  18. Web site: USA Softball Women's National Team completes three-game sweep of the WPSL All-Star Team. Prosoftball.com. 3 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010202175900/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/cp2s_090300-2.shtml. 2 February 2001.
  19. Web site: Florida Wahoos will battle the Ohio Pride in the fourth-annual WPSL Championship Series . ProSoftball.com . 3 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010212072529/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/championship_082100.shtml . February 12, 2001 . dead .
  20. Web site: 2000 WPSL Season. ProFastpitch.com. 25 August 2015. 26 August 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20100705092539/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/2000%20WPSL%20Season%20Standings.pdf. 5 July 2010. dead.
  21. Web site: Headlines. ProSoftball.com. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010125041000/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/l_headlines.shtml. 25 January 2001.
  22. Web site: Women's Pro Softball League Standings and Highlights. ProSoftball.com. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010125111100/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/l_stats.shtml. 25 January 2001.
  23. Web site: Headlines. ProSoftball.com. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010125041000/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/l_headlines.shtml. 25 January 2001.
  24. Web site: Ohio Pride outfielder Jaime Foutch captures 2000 WPSL Home Run Championship with five blasts. ProSoftball.com. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010212072128/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/homerunchampion_082200.shtml. 12 February 2001.
  25. Web site: Florida Wahoos skipper Cindy Bristow wins Women's Pro Softball League Coach of the Year Award. ProSoftball.com. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010212072222/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/coachoftheyear_082200.shtml. 12 February 2001.
  26. Web site: 2000 WPSL All-Star Team roster. ProSoftball.com. 25 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20010217060242/http://www.prosoftball.com/league/roster_081600.shtml. 17 February 2001.
  27. Web site: NPF All-Stars Put on Good Display But Fall Short. OurSportsCentral.com. 11 June 2015. 14 July 2000.
  28. Web site: Bolding's Sacrifice Fly Sends the West to a 1-0 Win; Nancy Evans named the game's most valuable Player. OurSportsCentral.com. 11 June 2015. 14 July 2000.