Included in this Web Page:
- IWPSA (1976-80)
- WPF (1997-98)
- WPSL (1999-2002)
- NPF (2003- present)
Included in this Web Page:
The International Women's Professional Softball Association (IWPSA) was founded in 1976 by former LPGA Tour member Janie Blaylock, softball legend Joan Joyce and tennis icon Billie Jean King. The original league featured 10 teams from cities across the nation, including the Connecticut Falcons, Buffalo Bisons, Chicago Ravens, Michigan Travelers and Pennsylvania Liberties in the Eastern Division. The Western Division was made up from the San Diego Sandpipers, San Jose Sunbirds, Santa Ana Lionettes, Southern California Gems and the Phoenix/Arizona Bird. The Bird started out as the Phoenix Bird then changed their name to the Arizona Bird midway through the season. The St. Louis Hummers joined the league in 1977 along with the Bakersfield Aggies. The other two team expansion teams were the Edmonton Snowbirds and the New York Golden Apples. In the IWPSA's first season, each team played a 120 game schedule that featured 60 double headers. Player contracts ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 per year,. The fledgling association survived four seasons before lack of funds, high travel costs and inadequate facilities ultimately led to its demise. The following decade proved to be extremely prosperous for the sport of fastpitch softball in the United States despite the absence of a professional league. I'd like to personally thank Robert Swisko, who did much of the research o fins this information. He sent the stuff to me and ask me to use it as I see fit. People like Robert make it easy to compile information like this.
| Year | Playoff | Champion | Runner-up | Result |
| 1976 | Eastern Divisional Final | Connecticut Falcons | Chicago Ravens | 3-0 |
| 1976 | Western Divisional Final | San Jose Sunbirds | Santa Ana Lionettes | 3-0 |
| 1976 | League Championship | Connecticut Falcons | San Jose Sunbirds | 4-0 |
| 1977 | Round Robin Playoff | Santa Ana Lionettes | San Jose Sunbirds | - |
| 1977 | Round Robin Playoff | Santa Ana Lionettes | St. Louis Hummers | - |
| 1977 | League Championship | Connecticut Falcons | Santa Ana Lionettes | 3-1 |
| 1978 | Opening Round Playoff | St. Louis Hummers | Buffalo Breskis | - |
| 1978 | League Championship | Connecticut Falcons | St. Louis Hummers | 3-0 |
| 1979 | Opening Round Playoff | Buffalo Bisons | San Jose Rainbows | 3-2 |
| 1979 | Semi-Final Playoff | St. Louis Hummers | Buffalo Bisons | 3-1 |
| 1979 | League Championship | Connecticut Falcons | St. Louis Hummers | 3-1 |
| 1980 | League disbands | |||
IWPSA MVP Award
| Year | Player, Team (stats) |
| 1976 | Joan Joyce, Connecticut (39-2, 0.13, 494 Ks) |
| 1977 | Joan Joyce, Connecticut (24-4, 1.03) |
| 1978 | Joan Joyce, Connecticut (18-1, 0.54,) |
| Donna Terry, Connecticut (15-2, .372 Avg.) * | |
| 1979 | Joan Joyce, Connecticut (20-6) |
| 1980 | League disbands |
Note: * Donna Terry also led the league in Home Runs in 1978
IWPSA Annual Standings
| 1976 IWPSA | ||
| Eastern Division | W�L | Pct. |
| Connecticut Falcons | 85-33 | 0.720 |
| Chicago Ravens | 57-63 | 0.475 |
| Buffalo Breskins | 56-64 | 0.466 |
| Pennsylvania Liberties | 46-71 | 0.393 |
| Michigan Travellers | 42-77 | 0.353 |
| Western Division | W�L | Pct. |
| San Jose Sunbirds | 77-43 | 0.642 |
| Santa Ana Lionettes | 67-53 | 0.558 |
| San Diego Sandpipers | 66-54 | 0.550 |
| Arizona/Phoenix Bird | 62-58 | 0.517 |
| Southern California Gems | 39-81 | 0.325 |
| 1977 IWPSA | W�L | Pct. |
| Connecticut Falcons | 51-30 | 0.630 |
| St. Louis Hummers | 43-37 | 0.538 |
| San Jose Sunbirds | 45-39 | 0.536 |
| Santa Ana Lionettes | 42-40 | 0.512 |
| Buffalo Breskis | 37-42 | 0.468 |
| Bakersfield Aggies | 26-56 | 0.317 |
| 1978 IWPSA | W � L | Pct. |
| Connecticut Falcons | 69-19 | 0.784 |
| St. Louis Hummers | 59-38 | 0.591 |
| Buffalo Breskis | 39-48 | 0.422 |
| San Jose Sunbirds | 12-66 | 0.154 |
| 1979 IWPSA | ||
| Eastern Division | W�L | Pct. |
| Connecticut Falcons | 59-20 | 0.747 |
| Buffalo Bisons | 40-53 | 0.430 |
| New York Golden Apples | 20-36 | 0.357 |
| Western Division | W�L | Pct. |
| St. Louis Hummers | 61-22 | 0.735 |
| San Jose Rainbow | 28-33 | 0.459 |
| Edmonton Snowbirds | 17-49 | 0.259 |
Joan Joyce
Joan Joyce's pitching record was 101-15 in her 4 years as a Pro player.
Joan Joyce's Amateur Softball Career
National Softball Hall for Fame in 1983.
Raybestos Brakettes Records Held (as of 1995);
Most consecutive all star team selections (18)
MVP in the National Tournament (8) (tied with one other player)
Most victories in a season (42) (in 1974)
Most no-hit, no-run games in Nationals (2) (in 1958, 1961, 1970, 1973)
Most shut-outs (38) (in 1974)
Longest games (29) innings (in 1968 (1-0) over Perkasie)
Most doubles in a career
Most doubles in a season (22) (in 1968)
Most triples in a career (37)
Highest batting average on team -1960,1962, 1967-69, 1973
All-American Selections
1958 - Utility (2nd team)
1959 - First Base
1960 - Utility
1961 - Pitcher (MVP)
1962 - Pitcher
1963 - Pitcher (MVP)
1964 - First Base
1965 - Pitcher (MVP)
1966 - Pitcher
1967 - Pitcher
1968 - Pitcher (MVP)
1969 - Pitcher
1970 - Pitcher
1971 - Pitcher (Co-MVP), National Batting Champion (.467)
1972 - Pitcher
1973 - Pitcher (MVP)
1974 - Pitcher (MVP)
1975 - Pitcher (MVP)
The Official Raybestos Brakettes Web Site:
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Result | MVP |
| 1997 | Orlando Wahoos | Virginia Roadsters | 3-1 | Debbie Doom, Orlando |
| 1998 | Orlando Wahoos | Carolina Diamonds | 2-0 | Alleah Poulson, Orlando |
| 1999 | Tampa Bay FireStix | Akron Racers * | 2-0 | Pat Dufficy, Tampa Bay |
| 2000 | Florida Wahoos | Ohio Pride | 2-0 | Steph Klaviter, Florida |
| 2001 | League Suspended indefinitely | |||
Note: * Akron Racers beat Virginia Roadsters in semi-final series (2-0)
WPF/WPSL Awards and Honors
| Year | MVP | |
| 1997 | Sarah Dawson, Orlando Wahoos | |
| 1998 | Crystl Bustos, Orlando Wahoos | |
| 1999 | Kaci Clark, Virginia Roadsters | |
| 2000 | Patti Benedict, Florida Wahoos | |
| Year | Pitcher of the Year | |
| 1997 | Sarah Dawson, Orlando Wahoos | (30-3, 0.91 ERA) |
| 1998 | Kaci Clark, Orlando Wahoos | (22-12, 1.81 ERA, 210 Ks) |
| 1999 | Kaci Clark, Virginia Roadsters | (23-8, 1.51 ERA, 168 Ks) |
| 2000 | Steph Klaviter, Florida Wahoos | (10-2, 0.25 ERA, 68 Ks) |
| Year | Hitter of the Year | |
| 1997 | Liz Mizera, Orlando Wahoos | (.347, 7 HRs) |
| 1998 | Crystl Bustos, Orlando Wahoos | (.400, 10 HRs, 36 RBIs) |
| 1999 | Marty Laudato, Tampa Bay FireStix | (.311, 8 HRs, 36 RBIs) |
| 2000 | Patti Benedict, Florida Wahoos | (.330, 1 HR, 7 RBIs) |
| Year | Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1997 | Rashunda Taylor, Orlando Wahoos | |
| 1998 | Shama Wilson, Georgia Pride | |
| 1999 | Randi Berg, Georgia Pride | |
| 2000 | Julie Smith, Ohio Pride | |
| Year | Home Run Champion | |
| 1997 | Sue Lewis-Newton, Orlando Wahoos | 7 |
| Liz Mizera, Orlando Wahoos | 7 | |
| Trisha Reinhardt, Durham Dragons | 7 | |
| 1998 | Monica Armendarez, Carolina Diamonds | 10 |
| Crystal Boyd, Georgia Pride | 10 | |
| Crystl Bustos, Orlando Wahoos | 10 | |
| 1999 | Monica Armendarez , Carolina Diamonds | 12 |
| 2000 | Jaime Foutch, Ohio Pride | 5 |
| Year | Coach of the Year | |
| 1997 | Lu Harris, Orlando Wahoos | |
| 1998 | Sharron Backus, Orlando Wahoos | |
| 1999 | Linda Derk, Tampa Bay FireStix | |
| 2000 | Cindy Bristow, Florida Wahoos |
WPF/WPSL Annual Standings
| 1997 | W�L | Pct. | GB |
| Orlando Wahoos (xy) | 57�12 | 0.826 | - |
| Virginia Roadsters (z) | 33�37 | 0.471 | 24.5 |
| Tampa Bay Firestix | 31-39 | 0.443 | 26.5 |
| Durham Dragons | 30-39 | 0.435 | 27 |
| Carlolina Diamonds | 29-41 | 0.414 | 28.5 |
| Georgie Pride | 29-41 | 0.414 | 28.5 |
| (x) 1st half champ | |||
| (y) 2nd half champ | |||
| (z) Finals berth | |||
| 1998 Total | W�L | Pct. | GB |
| Orlando Wahoos (y) | 42�24 | 0.626 | - |
| Georgia Pride | 36�30 | 0.545 | 6 |
| Carolina Diamonds (x) | 34�31 | 0.523 | 7.5 |
| Durham Dragons | 31�32 | 0.492 | 9.5 |
| Tampa Bay FireStix | 27�39 | 0.409 | 15 |
| Virginia Roadsters | 25�39 | 0.391 | 16 |
| (x) 1st half champ | |||
| (y) 2nd half champ | |||
| 1999 | W � L | Pct. | GB |
| Tampa Bay FireStix (x) | 37�29 | 0.561 | - |
| Virginia Roadsters (y) | 34�32 | 0.515 | 3 |
| Akron Racers (y) | 34�32 | 0.515 | 3 |
| Georgia Pride | 33-33 | 0.500 | 4 |
| Carolina Diamonds | 32-34 | 0.485 | 5 |
| Durham Dragons | 28-38 | 0.424 | 9 |
| (x) finals berth | |||
| (y) semi final berth | |||
| 2000 | W � L | Pct. | GB |
| Florida Wahoos (x) | 24� 8 | 0.750 | - |
| Ohio Pride (y) | 16�16 | 0.500 | 8 |
| Akron Racers | 15�17 | 0.469 | 9 |
| Tampa Bay FireStix | 9�23 | 0.281 | 13 |
| (x) finals berth-1st | |||
| (y) finals berth-2nd |
WPF/WPSL Career Statistical Leaders
Batting Avg. (min 250 AB)
Player
Avg.
Years
Crystl Bustos
0.386
98-99
Patti Benedict
0.317
98-00
Liz Mizera
0.316
97-98
Crystal Boyd
0.308
97-99
Angie Jacobs
0.302
97-98
Hits
Player
Hits
Years
Priscilla Welch
215
97-00
Crystal Boyd
178
97-99
Venus Taylor
173
97-00
Patti Benedict
171
98-00
Patti Raduenz
165
97-00
Home Runs
Player
HRs
Years
Monica Armendarez
23
98-00
Marty Laudato
20
97-00
Crystl Bustos
17
98-99
Liz Mizera
16
97-98
Crystal Boyd
13
97-99
RBIs
Player
RBIs
Years
Marty Laudato
91
97-00
Crystal Boyd
86
97-99
Andrea D'Innocenzo
83
97-00
Patti Raduenz
76
97-00
Liz Mizera
73
97-98
Wins
Player
Wins
Years
Kaci Clark
53
98-00
Sarah Dawson
49
97, 99-00
Dee Dee Weiman
46
97-00
Carla Brookbank
36
97-00
Karen Jackson
26
97-99
Amy Kyler
26
97-00
2000
Central Park to Sydney all Star Series
Team USA (11-0)
Tampa Bay Firestix (0-2)
Akron Racers (0-2)
Florida Wahoos (0-2)
Ohio Pride (0-2)
WPSL All Stars (0-3)
2001
WPSL Tour of Fast Pitch Champions
WPSL All-Stars (6-15-1 Record)
Patti Benedict (22-69, .319, 1 HR, 7 RBIs)
Danielle Cox (13-56, .232, 0 HRS, 3 RBIs)
Kellyn Tate (9-39, .231, 0 HRs, 2 RBIs)
Jaime Foutch (13-60, .217, 4 HRs, 14 RBIs)
Amy Kyler (4-5, 2.85 ERA)
Kaci Clark (1-4, 5.73 ERA)
Steph Kleviter (1-6, 7.71 ERA)
WPSL Gold Team (Team USA) (18-6-1 Record)
Lisa Fernandez (18-45, .400, 4 HRs, 14 RBIs; 11-1, 0.31 ERA)
Crystal Bustos (22-58, .397, 4 HRs, 17 RBIs)
Jennifer Brundage (20-60, .333, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs)
Teri Goldberg (25-80, .312, 2 HRs, 15 RBIs)
Michele Smith (11-40, .275, 1 HR, 3 RBIs; 5-2, 1.73 ERA)
Other Teams Record
USA Red (0-1)
USA Blue (1-0)
Tennessee All Stars (0-1)
White Sox All Stars (0-2)
Team Canada (1-1)
2002
NSA World Championship Exhibition
Game 1 - WPSL All-Stars 13, Tennessee All-Stars 1
Game 2 - WPSL All-Stars 7, Tennessee All-Stars 1
Notes: Julie Marshall, WPSL All-Stars was 5-7 with 2 homers, 1 double and a walk
in the 2 games
2003
NPF All-Star Tournament Results
NPF All-Stars 2, Northern California All-Stars 1
NPF All-Stars 7, Northern California All-Stars 2
NPF All-Stars 8, Minnesota Majestics 2
ASA National Champs-Stratford Brakettes 5, NPF All-Stars 2
NPF All-Stars 2, Independence Day All-Stars 0
NPF All-Stars 6, Fort Collins Force/TC Diamonds 0
NPF All-Stars 17, Northern Illinois Lightning 0
NPF All-Stars 6, Triple Crown Stars 3
Fort Collins TC Buckaroos 1, NPF All-Stars 0
NPF All-Stars 8, Fort Collins Force/TC Diamonds 0
NPF All-Stars 9, Fort Collins TC Buckaroos 1
NPF All-Stars 2, East Cobb All-Stars 0
NPF All-Stars 1, Arizona Majestic Stars 0
Arizona Majestic Stars 2, NPF All-Stars 1
NPF All-Stars 5, Ohio College Stars 1
NPF All-Stars 13, Stiles League All-Stars 0
Stiles League All-Stars 1, NPF All-Stars 0
NPF All-Stars 4, Connecticut Classics 0
NPF All-Stars 5, Connecticut Classics 1
ASA National Champs-Stratford Brakettes 1, NPF All-Stars 0
ASA National Champs-Stratford Brakettes 2, NPF All-Stars 0
NPF All-Stars 5, Texas College Stars 0
NPF All-Stars 4, Texas College Stars 0
NPF All-Stars Record: (17-6)
| 2004 Standings | W-L | Pct. |
| Texas Thunder | 41-17 | 0.707 |
| NY/NJ Juggernaut | 39-21 | 0.650 |
| Akron Racers | 39-21 | 0.650 |
| New England Riptide | 25-35 | 0.417 |
| Arizona Heat | 19-14 | 0.317 |
| California Sunbirds | 15-43 | 0.259 |
NPF Playoff Results (best of 3)
New York/New Jersey Juggernaut - Akron Racers (2-1)
New England Riptide - Texas Thunder (2-1)
NPF Championship
New York/New Jersey Juggernaut 10, New England Riptide 1
MVP- Amanda Scott, New York/New Jersey Juggernaut
NPF All-Star Games
Game-1 - Team USA 5, NPF East All-Stars 0
Game-2 - Team USA 5, NPF West All-Stars 2
NPF Awards -
Player of the Year - Iyhia McMichael, Akron Racers
Batting Champion - Iyhia McMichael, Akron Racers
Manager of the Year - Wayne Daigle, Texas Thunder
Pitcher of the Year - Christa Williams, Texas Thunder
Defensive Player of the Year - Lindsay Gardner, Texas Thunder
NPF Statistical Leaders:
Batting Leader - Iyhia McMichael, Akron - .331
Home Run Leader - Julie Marshall, California - 6
RBI Leader - Trena Peel, Akron - 27
Pitching Leader - Amanda Scott, NY/NJ - 15-7
Strikeout Leader - Jocelyn Forest, New England - 162
ERA Leader - Christa Williams, Texas - 0.64Other NPF Links:
| 2005 Standings | W-L * | Pct. |
| Chicago Bandits | 41-7 | 0.854 |
| Akron Racers | 36-10 | 0.783 |
| Texas Thunder | 35-12 | 0.745 |
| New York Juggernaut | 31-14 | 0.689 |
| Arizona Heat | 30-16 | 0.652 |
| New England Riptide | 25-23 | 0.521 |
* Games include international competition
NPF Playoff Results
Chicago Bandits 6, New York Juggernaut 3
Akron Racers 1, Texas Thunder 0
NPF Championship
Akron Racers 5, Chicago Bandits 4
NPF All-Star Game
East All-Stars 2, West All-Stars 1
MVP- Iyhia McMichael, East (Akron Racers)
NPF Awards -
Player of the Year - Kristen Zaleski, Texas Thunder
Batting Champion - Kristen Zaleski, Texas Thunder
Co-Managers of the Year - Eugene Lenti and Mickey Dean, Chicago Bandits
Co-Pitchers of the Year - Lauren Bay and Jennie Finch, Chicago Bandits
Offensive Player of the Year - Chrystl Bustos, Akron Racers
Defensive Player of the Year - Lisa Iancin, New England Riptide
NPF Louisville Slugger/Anderson Bat HR Derby Champ - Stacey Nuveman, Arizona
Heat
NPF Statistical Leaders:
Batting Leader - Kristen Zaleski, Texas Thunder - .468
Home Run Leader - Crystl Bustos, Akron Racers - 19
RBI Leader - Crystl Bustos, Akron Racers - 57
Pitching Leader - Christa Williams, Texas Thunder (17-5) and Lauren Bay, Chicago
Bandits (17-1)
Strikeout Leader - Christa Williams, Texas Thunder - 172
ERA Leader - Christa Williams, Texas - 0.76
Other NPF Links:
National
Pro Fastpitch
Extinct Sports Leagues Home Page
�1998 Steve Dimitry, all rights reserved.
Email: [email protected]