North Carolina State University Athletics
National Pro Fastpitch Squad to Compete Against Pack
9/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 19, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - A squad of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) softball players will be visiting the Raleigh area Oct. 14 and 15, Wolfpack head coach Lisa Navas announced today. As a part of their yearly national "Back to School" tour, the NPF all-stars will make a stop at NC State to host a youth clinic and compete against the 2012 Pack softball squad.
"We are very excited to be able to host the NPF players at our stadium this fall," says Navas. "It is a great opportunity to promote our sport and allow fans to see athletes at highest level of softball. It's also a great way for us to prepare for our 2012 season--by playing the top competition in the world."
On Friday, Oct. 14, from 6-8 p.m., the group of NPF players will take part in a clinic for young softball players at the Walnut Creek complex in Raleigh. Aspiring athletes will have a chance to mingle with and learn from professional softball players who have reached the pinnacle of the sport. In addition, student-athletes from NC State and North Carolina will be on hand for the clinic.
The following day, the NPF squad will play a doubleheader against the Wolfpack and the Tar Heels, beginning at 2 p.m. Games will be held at Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium. Following the day's competition, NPF athletes will be on hand to sign autographs and interact with fans.
The NPF "Back to School" tour was launched in 2010 as a way to introduce the league and its premier athletes to enthusiastic fans of the game across the United States. In 2010, the tour made 20 stops and played in front of over 20,000 fans. The NPF team of all-stars is a combination of players from all four of the NPF’s League participants - Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, NPF Diamonds, and USSSA Florida Pride. The team plays exhibition games against college teams from San Diego, CA to Daytona Beach, FL.
Players participating on the 2011 NPF "Back to School" tour include Olympic medalists Andrea Duran, Kelly Kretschman, Caitlin Lowe; former Canadian Olympic Team member Caitlin Lever; former Canadian Olympic Team members and NCAA Champions Danielle Lawrie and Jenn Salling; 2010 NPF Pitcher of the Year, and recently hired Wolfpack pitching coach Lisa Norris; 2011 All NPF Team Members Ashley Charters, Bianca Mejia, Megan Wiggins, Brittany McKinney, and Sam Marder; and NPF Rookie of the Year, Alisa Goler.
There will be more information available as the game approaches, including ticket prices for the weekend and clinic details. Stay tuned to GoPack.com for more updates.
