Rosemont hosts fastpitch championships Aug. 22-24
On Aug. 22-24, the nation’s four top professional softball teams will come to Rosemont to compete in the 2013 National Pro Fastpitch championship series.
The Ballpark at Rosemont is home to the NPF’s 2011 Cowles Cup Champions, the Chicago Bandits. The series will be hosted by the village of Rosemont. Tickets are now on sale.
“The NPF is so thrilled to be back in Rosemont for this year’s championship series,” said Commissioner Cheri Kempf. “We are going to have a very exciting competition this year, especially as the audience for women’s fastpitch softball continues to grow.”
“The village of Rosemont is honored to host this showcase of world-class women’s athletics in our stadium for the second year in a row,” said Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens.
“Women’s fastpitch softball is becoming increasingly popular and has gained a great deal of support from our community within the past few years,” he added. “The NPF Championship Series will not only build on this foundation but give fans from around the country and of all ages the opportunity to enjoy this great sport as well.”
The NPF Championship Series is the league’s hallmark event and will feature the USSSA Pride, Chicago Bandits, NY/NJ Comets and the Akron Racers. Along with the league’s most talented players, there will also be Olympic medalists on each team competing in the playoff/tournament format.
The format of the Series is new in 2013, featuring two elimination games prior to the best of three Final Series. On Thursday, the No. 4 seed will face the No. 3 seed with the loser eliminated and the winner moving onto Friday competition. In Friday’s first matchup, the No. 2 seed will face the winner of Thursday’s No. 3/No. 4 game. The loser is again eliminated and the winner squares off in the best of three Final Series against the awaiting No. 1 seed.
The final game of the Final Series is the prime time feature of Friday night. Saturday will conclude with Game 2 of the Final Series, and if necessary, Game 3.
Seeds in the Championship Series are based on team’s regular season finish. Either four or five games will be played, and ESPN2 will carry a live broadcast of Saturday’s first game at 5 p.m. ET and a tape-delayed broadcast of the “if necessary” game will be shown on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
The Championship Series weekend also includes the Champions Festival, which offers events for athletes, parents and coaches. Participants may attend a panel discussion where Olympic and NPF champions will discuss relevant topics, a champion’s clinic that teaches attendees how to better themselves every day, and a unique opportunity to spend a morning with some NPF champions.
Enroll in the Champions Festival at www.championsfestival.com.
Buy advance tickets for the 2013 National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series through the NPF and team websites, or phone. Tickets are available on game day at the stadium box office. They range from $7-$20 with discounts available for groups, students, seniors and military. Age 3 and under are free.
All-session passes are priced from $23-47. Call (615) 232-2900 or visit www.championship.profastpitch.com. For more information, visit profastpitch.com.
Series schedule
THURSDAY, AUG. 22
7 p.m. Game 1, #4 seed vs. #3 seed.
FRIDAY, AUG. 23
5:30 p.m. Game 2, Game 1 winner vs. #2 seed.
8:30 p.m. Finals Game 1; Game 2 winner vs. #1 seed.
SATURDAY, AUG. 24
4 p.m. Finals Game 2; Game 2 winner vs. #1 seed.
7 p.m. Finals Game 3 (if necessary); Game 2 winner vs. #1 seed.