With no NPF- what else can you bring the girls to?

RIPTIDE TO SUSPEND PLAY FOR 2009
02/06/09 Lowell, Ma.—The New England Riptide announced today that the team will take the 2009 season off, in preparation to return to play in 2010. Riptide management cites economic factors in the decision to sit the year out, and plans to work toward developing a larger fan base and reorganizing its structure.

I live 20 minutes from where the NE Riptide (NPF) plays(ed). I have been slowly introducing other coaches and players to these games. Now that I'm hearing good buzz from those who I got hooked, the team is gone.

Anyway, I'm looking to keep the girls going to see high level games and there's a Div III school nearby that has been recommended as a good team to follow, so I will.
The college season starts 3/15 (in FL) and the playoffs end 5/2 (our season starts just a week before that on 4/25) The NPF games would start late in our spring season and carry through the summer.

My question is do any of you have any suggestions for other venues for viewing elite Fastpitch?

thanks!

No NPF

here's what I did last year and it worked pretty well. In the town next to ours here in NJ, we have an elite/gold 18U team. I took the girls that were interested to one or two of their home games so these kids(12U) could see the game played at the next level. The coach always came over to say hi to the girls and me....he appreciated the outside support.

I took DD and team mate/best friend to the College Showcase this team played in about 45 min away. The coach said hi to the girls and me; then invited the girls into their dugout to watch the game fromthere for a bit. The girls really appreciated the attention.

This thread title scared me, I thought NPF was folding not just a team suspending play. My local franchise, the Washington Glory, went through an ownership change recently but I was releived to see they've got their schedule posted on their website.

With very few sports entertainment options available for under $10 a head, I'm planning to go to more games than ever this spring & summer. I hope no other frachises suspend play and hopefully the Riptide comes back strong next year.

Sorry for the bad choice of title but thanks for your replies . I'll look around and see if there's any 18U Gold teams in our area.

Dusty - I absolutely agree and one of my reasons for posting was to remind those of you who still have local teams to take advantage while you can. I was afraid this would happen, I just wish it didn't.
We only made it to two games last year and both were in the same week against the Washington Glory. DD's got to meet Taryne and Callista who they had watched in the last two WCWS. All the women who play are great with the girls after the game. There really is nothing like it.

Who knows, maybe they will be back next year.

May be too far to go on a regular basis, but UMass (Amherst) is a quality D1 program, even if their league is somewhat weak. UMass has shown it can compete with the best.