National Pro Fastpitch League

Got to see a NPF game this week in Kansas City. I enjoyed it, yet in many ways was disappointed.

The softball was excellent, but the overall experience ... Honestly, I was bored at times.

Too bad it was played on a minor league baseball field, but I understand that's the only way to support the crowd for that game. The WFC is being held here, lots of teams, and players got in free, etc. So nice crowd.

But, you were not up close with the players. They were ''off in the distance'' for lack of another way to put it. I guess I'm spoiled watching college games at UNC and NC State, where you're right on top of the action. Does the league play in better venues most of the time? I hope so. I didn't even mention the pitchers mound behind the pitching circle. They've got a league of their own, but sure wish they had more fields of their own.

Next complaint is that there was very little info on the players or the teams. The starting lineup is announced, and the players' photos are on a big board, but there was never any mention of where the players went to college. Batting fourth, Lauren Chamberlain. That's it. There was no roster or program that I could find anywhere. No stats. No standings. No interviews. No stories on the big board between innings. Nothing about the players when they came up to bat except their photo and name on the screen. I looked up rosters on my iPhone.

Is that typical at NPF games? So many star players with great stories, players from national championship teams, USA Team players, players who have set records, but they weren't being promoted.

I don't mean this post to bash the NPF. I've seen only 2 NPF games in my life in person, and the other was 4 years ago in a similar venue.

I'm just posting to get others' view of the league. Since I know many of the players, I can enjoy it, but I'd just as soon watch it on TV and not go watch it in person if it's typically like this.

What do you think?

It's the little things that make it an experience rather than just another game. It's also those things that build a brand and increase attendance and viewer ship.
Even if they created one program for the season, with team sections, player bios, " rookie corner", coaches section and other information and interviews, they could sell the heck out of national, regional and local advertising. Giving the fans something, covering cost and probably generating income. It's not hard just requires a lot of re-planning and time.

I appreciate the honest review. Didn't come across as bashing at all.

[MENTION=4240]CoogansBluff[/MENTION] what age group are you here with? Let me know if you get near field 24 tomorrow!

Ya CB I agree with ya. I think I might be spoiled by the shows put on by some of the minor league clubs but I think there is something more happening too.

Just like with professional baseball I get really peeved when a highest-level "pro" makes a really poor-effort error or in general does not show the Pete-Rose-Passion in their play. Recently with NPF, be it bad luck or whatever, I see too many times some really careless errors and what I interpret as lack of passion.

Now don't get me wrong, there are players out there like Monica Abbott that are consummate professionals. But a larger percentage than I like seem to have a "it's my job right now & it's keeping food in my mouth" type of projected attitude.

In their defense Ya it's difficult to feel like a respected professional when you have to play on a modified baseball field. And Ya the organizers do not add continuity & pizzazz to the experience like the minor league baseball organizations have figured out,.....BUT JEESH, this is the sport you say you love sooooo much that you want to play soooooo much after college,......please act more like Pete Rose!

Please calibrate this comment coming from somebody who is a lover of only D3 championship baseball and TB and have turned-off professional sports (for the most part). In these lesser-skilled arenas I may see a bad error of course but at least these players have more average passion & desire.

JAD said:

[MENTION=4240]CoogansBluff[/MENTION] what age group are you here with? Let me know if you get near field 24 tomorrow!

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We're in 16U at the Midwest Complex. We're in quarters of winners bracket, so not a bad start.

CoogansBluff said:

We're in 16U at the Midwest Complex. We're in quarters of winners bracket, so not a bad start.

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Good luck!

RubberBiscuit said:

Just like with professional baseball I get really peeved when a highest-level "pro" makes a really poor-effort error or in general does not show the Pete-Rose-Passion in their play. Recently with NPF, be it bad luck or whatever, I see too many times some really careless errors and what I interpret as lack of passion.

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To me the game felt like an All Star game, it is more of a show than fighting for a championship. And let's face it, for most of the players this is just a summer job.

One thing that was cool was Hannah Rogers, Kelani Ricketts and one other USSSA Pride player came to our tournament and watched DD's team play a game yesterday from the stands, and fortunately for us, it was one of the ones we won! I wonder if the USSSA tie in, prompted them to show up. I am just kicking myself for not getting a picture of them with DD!