2005 National Pro Fastpitch season
| 2005 NPF Season | |
|---|---|
| League | National Pro Fastpitch |
| Sport | softball |
| Duration | June 2, 2005 - August 21, 2005 |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| TV partner(s) | ESPN |
| 2005 NPF Draft | |
| Top draft pick |
Amy Harre Southern Illinois |
| Picked by | Chicago Bandits |
| Regular Season | |
| Regular Season Champions | Chicago Bandits |
| Cowles Cup | |
| Champions | Akron Racers |
| Runners-up | Chicago Bandits |
The 2005 National Pro Fastpitch season was the second season of professional softball under the name National Pro Fastpitch for the only professional women's fastpitch softball league in the United States. From 1997 to 2002, NPF operated under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Cowles Cup.
The expansion Chicago Bandits joined the league for the 2005 season.
The New York Juggernaut announced a new owner, John Schmitz of Long Island, NY. The team also introduced 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Julie Smith as their general manager and head coach.
The Arizona Heat named Stacy Iveson as their 2005 field manager.
NPF's telecast included ESPN2 broadcasting the NPF All-Star Game and the NPF Championship Game. Comcast Sports Net Chicago showed select Chicago Bandits games and Telecare telelvised certain Juggernaut game.
The 2005 NPF Senior Draft was held February 7, 2005.Amy Harre of Southern Illinois was selected first by the Chicago Bandits.
Various Olympians joined NPF after winning the gold medal in Softball at the 2004 Summer Olympics:
Source
The 2005 schedule included a 48-game regular season schedule for each NPF teams.
The California Sunbirds played a partial schedule. The Sunbirds hoped to return to NPF full-time, but never did. Games were on the schedule against international teams: Australia, Canada, China, Russia and Venezuela.
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