Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF), a professional softball organization that announced its formation in September of 2021, has announced a change in format for their 2022 debut on the diamond.
A number of players have also been signed to contracts to play in the WPF.
The Backstory
On September 30, 2021, the WPF announced its formation and named former Oklahoma star Lauren Chamberlain as its commissioner. At that time, the WPF intended to operate as a professional league. USSSA, USA Softball, and Smash It Sports were joined in a three-headed partnership in the founding of the league, with plans for the WPF to be headquartered in Oklahoma City “with teams playing nationwide.”
Shortly after announcing the league’s formation, the WPF sought additional ownership, with plans for a league consisting of 6-8 teams competing in the summer of 2022. A press release at the time described the response from potential owners as “overwhelming and an exciting look into what the future of the league holds.”
From League-Style to Barnstorming
At the end of March 2022, the WPF issued a press release that noted the start-up is “gearing up for a condensed and intentional exhibition-style summer of play.”
Based on the same press release, the WPF still plans to debut in June, but will hit the road in a barnstorming-style fashion at various locations around the country, featuring teams sponsored by Smash It Sports and USSSA, the latter being the longtime-franchise USSSA Pride.
“WPF’s inaugural season will focus on highlighting the league’s launch and attracting new fans and partners. The format will allow incoming franchises greater flexibility to build their brands for 2023 and beyond. “To succeed and thrive, it is critical to take the time necessary to do things the right way,” Chamberlain said in a statement. “Because of this, we’ve been able to head into the 2022 exhibition year with an abundance of excitement and momentum for the WPF.”
New Players Signed
A number of players who are professional softball veterans will again suit up for the USSSA Pride as part of the WPF tour. That group includes Women’s College World Series legends Jessie Warren, Odicci Alexander, and Sam Show, as well as second-year pro and former Oregon Duck Haley Cruse. Newly signed to the Pride roster is Tokyo Olympic silver medalist and former UCLA Bruin Delaney Spaulding. Longtime professional players and veteran Pride roster members Shelby Pendley, Jailyn Ford, and Chelsea Goodacre round out the announced signings for the Pride franchise.
The Smash It franchise that will compete against the Pride have announced a pair of newly-signed athletes. Former Minnesota All-American Amber Fiser is the first name signed to take the circle for the Smash It Vipers; Fiser made her professional debut for Athletes Unlimited last summer and will suit up for the WPF this year. She is currently a graduate assistant on staff at Missouri.
Kate Gordon Short, a major part of James Madison’s magical run to the Women’s College World Series last season, is the newest member of the Vipers’ roster. Short is the Colonial Athletic Association’s career home run record holder and hit clutch home runs throughout JMU’s postseason run en route to finishing the 2021 season in the WCWS semifinals.
