NPF Announces Houston Expansion Team in 2016

The Scrap Yard Dawgs will be the sixth team in the league.

Nashville, TN – October 23, 2015 – National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announced today the addition of a new expansion team, beginning competition in the 2016 season.  The new team will be known as the Scrap Yard Dawgs and will be based in the Woodlands, TX, just north of Houston.  The Dawgs will be the sixth team in the NPF joining existing teams Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Dallas Charge, Pennsylvania Rebellion, USSSA Florida Pride. The Dawgs become the first NPF franchise to be based in the Houston area since the Texas Thunder left for Rockford, Illinois in the 2007 season.

The Houston area is home to more than 6.2 million people and features one of the largest and most active youth softball communities in the country. The Dawgs have designated The Scrap Yard in the Woodlands, TX as their home park and base of operations.  The Scrap Yard is a first class facility that is nationally renowned for hosting tournaments, showcases and college recruiting events.

“We are extremely proud of this announcement,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “Professional fastpitch continues to enjoy expansion and the state of Texas gains another jewel in its crown of women’s professional sports. The Scrap Yard Sports Complex is already an impressive venue and will most certainly make a great location for the Dawgs to call home.”

Connie May, Director of Operations for Scrap Yard Sports said, “We are very excited that the Scrap Yard Dawgs will call the Scrap Yard Sports Complex their home.  We already host numerous high school and college tournaments, so we are very pleased to be adding a National Pro Fastpitch team to our line-up as well.”

The Scrap Yard Dawgs will rely on the experience of General Manager, Kevin Shelton to manage the details involved in operating a professional sports team. Shelton recently led the latest NPF expansion team, the Dallas Charge, to the playoffs in their inaugural season and is excited about repeating that success in Houston.

“It’s an extremely exciting opportunity for women’s fastpitch and the entire greater Houston area,” commented Shelton.  “The NPF is growing and we are pleased to be a part of that growth and honored to provide these gifted women a chance to compete in the sport they love as professionals. Houston has a vibrant fastpitch community. I am confident that the entire area will benefit from the presence of a professional women’s fastpitch team.”

Assisting Shelton in developing the new franchise is Assistant General Manager Whitney Cloer.  Cloer’s credentials include time as Assistant Coach at Troy University, Volunteer Assistant Coach at Arkansas and Oklahoma, along with her own playing career at Arkansas.   She will be a key piece of the day-to-day and game day business execution.

Beyond featuring some of the world’s best softball talent, the Dawgs are committed to involvement in the Houston community. In a city that features several popular sports brands, the Dawgs will offer the community, especially young girls and women, an opportunity to watch female athletes compete at the highest level.

The Scrap Yard Dawgs will begin play as the NPF season opens in June of 2016. More information about the Dawgs including their home schedule, announcement of coaching staff and roster additions will be released in the coming months. Follow the Dawgs on the team’s website www.scrapyarddawgs.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

For more information and questions about the Dawgs, contact us at info@scrapyyarddawgs.com or call 855-SY-DAWGS (855-793-2947).

About USSSA Florida Pride:

The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.

About USSSA:

USSSA is headquartered in Osceola County, Florida. USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA.

About the Scrap Yard Dawgs
The Scrap Yard Dawgs will begin competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2016. The Dawgs will provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Houston area, the Dawgs organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Dawgs at www.scrapyarddawgs.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.  The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chose sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).  NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball and has been since 2002.