Tennessee franchise joins Bandits in NPF League

The National Pro Fastpitch League has added a new professional women's softball team, the Tennessee Diamonds, to its 2010 schedule.

The league includes the Elgin-based Chicago Bandits, Akron Racers, Philadelphia Force, and USSSA Pride of Kissimmee, Fla.

With the franchise agreement, Tennessee also obtained rights to the Rockford Thunder roster, which includes softball superstar Cat Osterman.

"This is an exciting announcement for National Pro Fastpitch," said Cheri Kempf, NPF commissioner. "Tennessee is a fantastic location for this new team. The addition of the Diamonds adds an expansion team geographically in a great southern spot for the league.

"East Tennessee is known throughout the country for its support of women's athletics through the Lady Vols and, of course, the legendary Pat Summitt."

Sarah Fekete, a former Maryville High School and University of Tennessee softball standout who later played professionally for the Philadelphia Force, will be the general manager of the Diamonds.

The team may have a permanent home in the Ripken baseball and softball complex, but will play its first season at a temporary facility in Blount County.