ESPN

For Immediate Release

USSSA Florida Pride Opens at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports

ESPN2 To Carry Pride vs. Bandits, June 11th

Kissimmee, Fl  –The USSSA Florida Pride announced today that coverage of the NPF 2011 Opening Weekend will be carried live on ESPN2 and ESPN3 June 11th at 3:00 p.m. EST. The featured game will be a re-match of the 2010 NPF Championship Series between the Chicago Bandits and the USSSA Florida Pride, culminating with the Pride taking home the 2010 championship . The game will be broadcast live from ESPN’s Wide World of Sports, home of the USSSA Florida Pride, and will feature the top players in fastpitch softball.

Several off season moves by both the Chicago Bandits and USSSA Pride will lend an air of excitement to an already captivating opening series.  The Bandits acquisition of former Olympian and All-NPF player Monica Abbott will increase the attention of this already star-studded match-up.  The Pride, coming off an exciting off season, will be introducing infielders Ashley Charters and  Samantha Findlay (formally of the Chicago Bandits) and pitcher Danielle Spaulding.  These players are added to an already impressive roster that includes former Olympians Cat Osterman, Natasha Watley, Caitlin Lowe, Lauren Lappin,  Andrea Duran, Kelly Kretschman, current ESPN analyst and Jessica Mendoza, and two-time NCAA Player of the Year Danielle Lawrie.
The Chicago Bandits and USSSA Florida Pride have already agreed on the starting pitchers for the televised game.  The Bandits’ Monica Abbott and the Pride’s, Cat Osterman in a match up of two of the world’s best pitchers. In all, at least eleven former Olympic athletes, nine of which play for the Pride, will square off in the competition. “ The  USSSA Florida Pride is committed to putting the best players on the field, not only for our fans, but for softball fans across the U.S.” states USSSA Pride General Manager Don DeDonatis.  “Our organization’s goal and mission is to field a product that is truly America’s Team.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver the very best fastpitch softball competition in the world, to an ESPN television audience.” said Commissioner Cheri Kempf.  “I think fans will be excited to know they will have access to see such an anticipated match-up of softball’s royalty on the opening weekend of what is sure to be another action packed NPF season.”

The NPF regular season runs from June 9th to August 14th.  The NPF Championship Series to be held in Sulphur, LA August 18th – 21st. Additional television dates will be released in the near future.
For more information on tickets, visit USSSA Pride.Com, or follow the Pride on Facebook and Twitter.  Facebook.comusssapride