1999 Women's Pro Softball League season

The 1999 Women's Professional Softball League season was the third season of professional fastpitch softball for the league named Women's Professional Softball League (WPSL). In 1997 and 1998, WPSL operated under the name Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF).

1999 WPSL Season
LeagueWomen's Professional Softball League
Sportsoftball
DurationMay 13, 1999 - August 22, 1999
Number of teams6
TV partner(s)ESPN2
1999 WPSL Draft
Top draft pickIsonette Polonius 3B
East Carolina
Picked byDurham Dragons
Regular Season
Regular Season ChampionsTampa Bay FireStix
WPSL ChampionsTampa Bay FireStix
Runners-upAkron Racers
Season MVPKaci Clark
Virginia Roadsters
WPSL Championship
Finals MVPPat Dufficy
Tampa Bay FireStix

Milestones and Events

After the 1998 season, the WPF (Women's Pro Fastpitch) changed its name to Women's Professional Softball League season (WPSL). WPSL Commissioner/CEO John Carroll said the change should improve the league's name recognition, as "The term 'softball' is more readily recognized by our mass audience than the term 'fastpitch'," Carroll said. "We believe the name change will result in higher public recognition. It will allow people to identify with the sport we play, rather than our style of play."[1] Also, two-time WPF Champion Orlando Wahoos folded, and their roster was assigned to the expansion Akron Racers.

On December 22, Centenary College of Shreveport, LA softball coach Michael Bastian was hired as the full-time head coach of the Racers.
The other full-time WPSL coaches were Willie Rucker for the Carolina Diamonds, Judy Martino for the Durham Dragons, Cindy Bristow for the Georgia Pride, Linda Derk for the Tampa Bay FireStix, and Terri Pearson for the Virginia Roadsters.[2]

On March 23, the Durham Dragons introduced Bill Miller as general manager, replacing Dena Lambert.[3]

The WPSL cancelled all preseason games, citing that many draft picks and free agents would be participating in the Women's College World Series.[3]

On July 16, Georgia's Desarie Knipfer pitched the second perfect game in WPSL history, beating the Dragons 6-0.[4]

Teams, cities and stadiums
Team City Stadium
Akron Racers Akron, Ohio Firestone Stadium[5]
Carolina Diamonds Gastonia, North Carolina Sims Legion Park[6]
Durham Dragons Durham, North Carolina Durham Athletic Park[3]
Georgia Pride Columbus, Georgia South Commons Softball Complex[7]
Tampa Bay FireStix Tampa, Florida Red McEwen Field [8]
Virginia Roadsters Hampton, Virginia War Memorial Stadium[9]

Player Acquisition

College Draft
Further information: 1999 WPSL Draft

On December 5, 1998 the 1999 WPSL Senior Draft was held in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Durham Dragons selected 3B Isonette Polonius of East Carolina University with the first pick.[10]

League standings

Source:[11]

Team W L Pct. GB
Tampa Bay FireStix 37 29 .561 -
Akron Racers 34 32 .515 3
Virginia Roadsters 34 32 .515 3
Georgia Pride 33 33 .500 4
Carolina Diamonds 32 34 .485 5
Durham Dragons 28 38 .424 9

WPSL Championship

The 1999 WPSL Championship Series was held at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio August 24-8. The top three teams on the standings qualified. The second- and third-place teams, the Racers and Roadsters, played a best-of-three semifinal series. The semifinal winner, the Racers, played the first-place team, the FireStix, in a best-of-three final series.[11]

  WPSL Semifinals (Best of 3)     WPSL Championship (Best of 3)
                 
    1 Tampa Bay FireStix 2
  2 Virginia Roadsters 0     3 Akron Racers 0
  3 Akron Racers 2  
1999 WPSL Semifinals
Akron Racers defeat Virginia Roadsters 2–0
GameDateScoreSeries
(AK-VA)		Location
1August 24Akron Racers 1, Virginia Roadsters 0[12]1–0Akron, Ohio
2August 25Akron Racers 4, Virginia Roadsters 1[13]2-0Akron, Ohio
1999 WPSL Championship
Tampa Bay FireStix defeat Akron Racers 2–0
GameDateScoreSeries
(TB-AK)		Location
1August 27Tampa Bay FireStix 3, Akron Racers 2, (12 innings)[14]1–0Akron, Ohio
2August 28Tampa Bay FireStix 2, Akron Racers 1[15]2-0Akron, Ohio
1999 WPSL Championship Series Most Valuable Player
Player Club
Pat Dufficy[15] Tampa Bay FireStix

Annual awards

Source:[11]

Regular Season Champions
Tampa Bay FireStix
Award Player Team
Most Valuable Player Kaci Clark Virginia Roadsters [16]
Pitcher of the Year Kaci Clark Virginia Roadsters 23-8, 1.51 ERA, 168 Ks[16]
Hitter of the Year Marty Laudato Tampa Bay FireStix .311 BA, 8 HRs, 36 RBIs[17]
Defensive Player of the Year Randi Berg Georgia Pride .966 fielding %, 92 assists, 137 putouts, 237 total chances, 19 double plays[18]
Home Run Champion Monica Armendarez Carolina Diamonds 12 HR (WPSL record)[19]
Coach of the Year Linda Derk Tampa Bay FireStix [20]

1999 WPSL All-Star Game

The 1999 WPSL All-Star Game was played on June 13 in Plant City, FL at Plant City Stadium, televised on July 29 later on ESPN2. The game feature 30 players split between two teams, one called the "WPSL Stars" and the other "WPSL Stripes." The Stars included players from the Akron Racers, Durham Dragons and Virginia Roadsters, and the Stripes were made up of Carolina Diamonds, Georgia Pride and Tampa Bay FireStix.[21]

The WPSL Stars beat the WPSL Stripes by a score of a 5-4. Roadsters catcher Scia Maumausolo hit a game-winning home run in the eighth inning and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.[22]

Following are the All-Star rosters:

1999 WPSL STARS All-STARS
Player WPSL Team Position
VOTED STARTERS
Carla BrookbankAkron Racers1B
Crystl BustosAkron RacersSS
Traci ConradAkron RacersOF
Tobin Echo-HawkAkron Racers2B
Tamara IvieVirginia RoadstersOF
Amy KylerAkron RacersP
Stephanie LittleDurham DragonsC
Nicole OdomAkron Racers3B
Jen SmithDurham DragonsDP
Kellyn TateAkron RacersOF
RESERVES
Kaci ClarkVirginia RoadstersP
Michele HawkinsDurham DragonsP
Scia MaumausoloVirginia RoadstersC
Patti RaduenzDurham DragonsSS
Cheri ShinnVirginia RoadstersOF
COACHES
Michael BastianAkron RacersAll-Star Head Coach
Judy MartinoDurham DragonsAll-Star Assistant Coach
Terri PearsonVirginia RoadstersAll-Star Assistant Coach
1999 WPSL STRIPES ALL-STARS
Player WPSL Team Position
VOTED STARTERS
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds3B
Patti BenedictGeorgia PrideOF
Crystal BoydGeorgia PrideSS
Danielle CoxGeorgia PrideOF
Marty LaudatoTampa Bay FirestixC
Sara GrazianoTampa Bay FireStixDP
Michelle HublerTampa Bay FireStix2B
Victoria HuffCarolina Diamonds1B
Venus TaylorTampa Bay FireStixOF
DeeDee Weiman-GarciaTampa Bay FireStixP
RESERVES
Karen JacksonCarolina DiamondsP
Julie CrandallGeorgia PrideC
Brandee McArthurCarolina DiamondsP
Christine Parris-WashingtonTampa Bay FireStix3B
Gina PerezTampa Bay FireStixOF
COACHES
Linda DerkTampa Bay FireStixAll-Star Head Coach
Willie RuckerCarolina DiamondsAll-Star Assistant Coach
Cindy BristowGeorgia PrideAll-Star Assistant Coach

Statistical Leaders

Source:[23]

Batting

BATTING TOP 10 (MINIMUM 158 PLATE APPEARANCES)

BATTERCLUBAVGGABRHHRRBI
Kellyn TateAkron Racers.320601753256428
Marty LaudatoTampa Bay FireStix.311601772355836
Patti BenedictGeorgia Pride.304662372972021
Scia MaumausoloVirginia Roadsters.302611821655842
Traci ConradAkron Racers.291582062860014
Ali ViolaTampa Bay FireStix.287571782651628
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds.2866618528531235
Danielle CoxGeorgia Pride.28657182215209
Venus TaylorTampa Bay FireStix.282602022957116
Priscilla WelchVirginia Roadsters.282661952055013

HOME RUNS

BATTERCLUBHR
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds12
Marty LaudatoTampa Bay FireStix8
Andrea D'InnocenzoCarolina Diamonds8
Scia MaumausoloVirginia Roadsters8
Several Players Tied at 7

RBI

BATTERCLUBRBI
Scia MaumausoloVirginia Roadsters42
Marty LaudatoTampa Bay FireStix36
Andrea D'InnocenzoCarolina Diamonds36
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds35
Jen SmithDurham Dragons30

STOLEN BASES

BATTERCLUBSB
Dawn WuthrichCarolina Diamonds26
Jen BufordCarolina Diamonds21
Venus TaylorTampa Bay FireStix14
Traci ConradAkron Racers14
Several Players Tied at 13

TEAM BATTING

CLUBAVGABRHHRBBSOSBCS
Tampa Bay FireStix.2531770231447292082313621
Akron Racers.2441794242437332062716836
Georgia Pride.2441849186451151532125127
Virginia Roadsters.2431772210430211662377321
Carolina Diamonds.2341826193427261502509326
Durham Dragons.2271808178411181232333416

HITS

BATTERCLUBH
Patti BenedictGeorgia Pride72
Traci ConradAkron Racers60
Dawn WuthrichCarolina Diamonds59
Venus TaylorTampa Bay FireStix57
Andrea D'InnocenzoCarolina Diamonds57

DOUBLES

BATTERCLUB2B
Kellyn TateAkron Racers11
Patti BenedictGeorgia Pride11
Ali ViolaTampa Bay FireStix9
Kendall RichardsGeorgia Pride9
Several Players Tied at 8

TRIPLES

BATTERCLUB3B
Sarah FredstromVirginia Roadsters5
Jen BufordCarolina Diamonds4
Several Players Tied at 3

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE

BATTERCLUBOBP
Nancy EvansTampa Bay FireStix.439
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds.432
Kellyn TateAkron Racers.420
Scia MaumausoloVirginia Roadsters.402
Cheri ShinnVirginia Roadsters.387

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

BATTERCLUBSLG
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds.541
Scia MaumausoloVirginia Roadsters.489
Kellyn TateAkron Racers.486
Marty LaudatoTampa Bay FireStix.480
Liza BrownAkron Racers.459

EXTRA-BASE HITS

BATTERCLUBXBH
Monica ArmendarezCarolina Diamonds21
Sarah FredstromVirginia Roadsters19
Kellyn TateAkron Racers18
Scia MaumausoloVirginia Roadsters17
Several Players Tied at 15

RUNS SCORED

BATTERCLUBR
Sarah FredstromVirginia Roadsters34
Cheri ShinnVirginia Roadsters33
Kellyn TateAkron Racers32
Several Players Tied at 29

Pitching

PITCHING TOP 10 (MINIMUM 66 IP)

PITCHERCLUBW-LERAIPHBBSO
Steph KlaviterGeorgia Pride5- 90.85107823349
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters23- 81.5123117489168
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride15-111.6619013951147
Brandee McArthurCarolina Diamonds16-111.721911507680
Monica TrinerTampa Bay FireStix10- 71.741331192551
Sarah DawsonAkron Racers13- 81.911431204288
Amy KylerAkron Racers7- 71.97110804759
Trinity JohnsonDurham Dragons8- 61.9796783258
Heather ComptonTampa Bay FireStix10-111.991271043980
Dee Dee Weiman-GarciaTampa Bay FireStix16- 92.0118816953123

WINS

PITCHERCLUBW
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters23
Dee Dee Weiman-GarciaTampa Bay FireStix16
Brandee McArthurCarolina Diamonds16
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride15
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds14

SAVES

PITCHERCLUBS
Sarah DawsonAkron Racers3
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride2
Several Players Tied at 1

STRIKEOUTS

PITCHERCLUBK
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters168
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride147
Dee Dee Weiman-GarciaTampa Bay FireStix123
Michele HawkinsDurham Dragons97
Sarah DawsonAkron Racers88

TEAM PITCHING

CLUBW-LERAHCGSHOSVHRBBSO
Georgia Pride33- 331.644494013327146273
Tampa Bay FireStix37- 292.03415518224126262
Akron Racers34- 322.19411437520168225
Carolina Diamonds32- 342.48440435119208172
Virginia Roadsters34- 322.554303810021189255
Durham Dragon28- 382.63458455131169247

GAMES

PITCHERCLUBG
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters38
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds35
Michele HawkinsDurham Dragons33
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride32
Several Players Tied at 29

COMPLETE GAMES

PITCHERCLUBCG
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters26
Dee Dee Weiman-GarciaTampa Bay FireStix22
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds20
Brandee McArthurCarolina Diamonds20
Michele HawkinsDurham Dragons18

SHUTOUTS

PITCHERCLUBSO
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters7
Sarah DawsonAkron Racers5
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds4
Several Players Tied at 3

INNINGS PITCHED

PITCHERCLUBIP
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters231.1
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds203.1
Brandee McArthurCarolina Diamonds191.1
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride190.0
Dee Dee Weiman-GarciaTampa Bay FireStix188.0

LOSSES

PITCHERCLUBL
Michele HawkinsDurham Dragons15
Amie StewartDurham Dragons13
Several Players Tied at 11

WALKS

PITCHERCLUBBB
Kaci ClarkVirginia Roadsters89
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds88
Brandee McArthurCarolina Diamonds76
Amie StewartDurham Dragons68
Several Players Tied at 53

HOME RUNS ALLOWED

PITCHERCLUBHR
Michele HawkinsDurham Dragons14
Desarie KnipferGeorgia Pride12
Karen JacksonCarolina Diamonds11
Amie StewartDurham Dragons11
Several Players Tied at 7

References
  1. Larry Cain (January 1999). "WPF Becomes WPSL In Time for 1999 Season" (PDF). Fastpitch Delivery. p. 8. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  2. "WPSL NAMES MICHAEL BASTIAN HEAD COACH OF THE AKRON RACERS". AkronRacers.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 1999. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  3. "Durham Dragon News". DurhamDragons.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 1998. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  4. "Knipfer perfect in Georgia's 6-0 win over Durham". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 1999. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  5. "Contact the Racers". www.akronracers.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 1999. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  6. "Directions to the Game". www.carolinadiamonds.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 1999. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  7. "TWO SENIOR SOFTBALL PAYERS DRAFTED BY THE WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL LEAGUE". Official Site of Mizzou Athletics. 8 December 1998. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  8. Scott Massey (22 June 2000). "FireStix look for second league title". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  9. "Front Office". www.virginiaroadsters.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 1999. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  10. Larry Cain (January 1999). "Durham Dragons Choose Isonette Polonius No. 1 in" (PDF). Fastpitch Delivery. p. 9. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  11. "Steve Dimitry's Softball History Web Site". 31 December 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  12. "Bustos gives Akron a 1-0 victory game one". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  13. "Akron tops Virginia 4-1 in game two of semifinal". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  14. "Dufficy gives FireStix 3-2 win over Racers". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  15. "WPSL teams select world's top fastpitch talent". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  16. "Clark named 1999 MVP and Pitcher of the Year". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  17. "Laudato named 1999 WPSL Hitter of the Year". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  18. "Berg named 1999 Defensive Player of the Year". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  19. "Armendarez wins home run championship". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  20. "Derk named 1999 WPSL Coach of the Year". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  21. "Rosters named for 1999 WPSL All-Star Game". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 1999. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  22. "Maumausolo homers Stars past Stripes 5-4". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 1999. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  23. "STANDINGS & LEAGUE LEADERS". ProSoftball.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

See also
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