1994-1998 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

January 19, 1994
Jay Cowles announces plan for 1995 Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) Tour. NFA received formal endorsements from MLB National Leagues President Len Coleman and former MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.

Decatur Pride and California Commotion make NFA debut in Decatur, Ill.

June 15–July 13, 1995

Blaze and Storm visit 16 Midwest cities on 1995 WPF Tour. ESPN2 televises four games on tour. Carla Brookbank becomes the first Akron-area player to play on the tour as a member of the Blaze. The game featured an 11-inch ball, the pitching distance at 49 feet and base distances set at 75 feet.

July 2, 1995

Carla Brookbank wins her first game in a 5-3 decision over the Storm. She finishes the tour with a 2-2 record and a 1.66 ERA.

1996 WPF Amateur Draft held in Minneapolis, Minn. Oct. 8, 2996 WPF announces that it will begin play in May 1997. AT&T Wireless Services Inc. named title sponsor.

The WPF, despite placing Akron’s bid for a team on hold, the league sends the Carolina Diamonds and the Georgia Pride to visit Akron for the first Pro Exhibition game.

3,873 pack Akron, Ohio’s Firestone Stadium to watch Stars defeat Strips 8-1 in inaugural WPF All-Star Game. The fans would learn earlier that day that Akron would become the first Midwest franchise and begin play in the summer of 1999.

WPF Suspends operations of Wahoos in Orlando, FL. Contracted players assigned to Racers of Akron, Ohio. Akron obtains the rights to the Championship roster which included Crystl Bustos and Sarah Dawson – pitcher of the year.  Racers trade Pitcher Kaci Clark to obtain the rights to Akron native Carla Brookbank.

WPF changes name to Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). 1999 WPSL Senior Draft held in St. Petersburg, FL.

Racers participate in first-ever WPSL Draft. Traci Conrad, a First-Team All-American first baseman from Michigan, becomes the first pick of the Racers and the third
overall selection. The Racers use the sixth pick overall (first round) to tap Liza Brown (P), from DePaul.

Michael Bastian, Centenary College Head Coach, was named the Racers first full-time heads coach.

1999 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

January 12, 1999
The City of Akron begins renovation of Firestone Stadium in anticipation of the Akron Racer’s first season of play in the WPSL.

March 31, 1999

The Akron Racers announced that WHLO (640-AM) will be the team’s official radio station and carry live broadcast of all 66 games in its inaugural season beginning May 13. Clint Scroggs would handle the play-by-play.

April 20, 1999

Racers announced they have signed six players including Carla Brookbank, an Akron native who starred at Kent, Amy Kyler, a Canal Fulton product who played at Cleveland State, Sarah Dawson, a pitcher, who posted a 30-3 record with the Orlando Wahoos in 1997, and Tobin
Echo-Hawk, a WPF All-Star in 1998.

April 22, 1999

Racers GM, Joey Arrietta, signed slugger, Crystl Bustos, the 1998 WPF MVP, to play in Akron. Kellyn Tate, a former Wahoo teammate of Bustos also joins the Racers roster.

May 13, 1999

WPSL begins 66-game regular season. Unlike the two previous seasons, the 1999 campaign will not have a first or second half. In past seasons, the first half champion played the second half champion for the league title. This season, the top three teams advance to postseason competition. Akron played in five televised ESPN2 broadcasts throughout their first season of play.

May 14, 1999

The City of Akron completes $3.5 Million Dollar renovation of Firestone Stadium just in time for the home opener on 5/13. The Akron Racers much anticipated home opener schedules for May 13th had to be delayed due to rain soaked field and fans. The Racers defeated the Virginia Roadsters 8-5 before a crowd of 1,279 for their first win en route to a runner-up finish to the 1999 Championship Series held in Akron. Akron native, Carla Brookbank, got the win for the Racers and Akron’s first-ever hit and RBI. The game was televised on ESPN2.

June 22, 1999

A league high seven Racers were selected to participate in the WPSL’s second-annual All-Star event. Crystl Bustos (SS) heads a list that included Kellyn Tate (OF), Carla Brookbank (P), Traci Conrad (1B), Tobin Echo-Hawk (2B), Amy Kyler (P), and Nicole Odom (3B).

June 24, 1999

Eight-year old, Katie Burns, of Copley, Ohio, became the 10,000th fan to attend an Akron Racers game at Firestone Stadium.

August 22, 1999

Akron Racers clinch berth in WPSL Championship Semifinal after finishing third overall in regular season.

August 24–25, 1999

Akron Racers (37-29) earn WPSL Championship Series berth after sweeping Virginia Roadsters two games to none in WPSL Championship Semifinal.

August 27–28, 1999

Racers host the 1999 WPSL Championship at historic and newly renovated Firestone Stadium. Tampa Bay FireStix sweep Akron Racers in two games to capture team’s first WPSL Championship Series.

September 6, 1999

Akron Racers shortstop Crystl Bustos and Durham Dragons catcher Michelle Venturella named to 2000 U.S. Olympic Team.

October 14, 1999

WPSL suspends operations of Pride in Columbus, GA; Dragons in Durham, NC: Diamonds in Gastonia, NC: and Roadsters in Hampton, VA. Contracted Roadsters players assigned to Pride of Akron, Ohio. Contracted Pride players assigned to Wahoos of Plant City, FL. Tampa Bay FireStix relocate to Plant City Stadium
in Plant City, FL.

December 7, 1999

Summit County Council approved $30,000 appropriation to the Akron Racers for programs to educate area youth through seminars and clinics.

December 8, 1999

At the NFCA Convention held in St. Petersburg, FL, the WPF announced the official change of the league name to Women’s Professional Softball League (WPSL), to better communicate the name of the game to sports fans in general rather than the style of play.

2000 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

June 2000
The 2000 WPSL season opened with the Firestone Stadium serving as the site for two professional fastpitch teams. The new resident, the Ohio Pride, would now share the home of the Racers in the newly aligned WPSL. Judy Martino and Margaret Sutter became the Pride’s coaching staff while former assistant
Jen Poulsen moved up to head the Racers foe the 2000 season.

January 8, 2000

Racers officially announced that they will play the USA National Team on June 9th as a part of the 31-city tour in preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The tour includes televising 10 games on ESPN2 between the WPSL teams and the national team.

May 18, 2000

GM Joey Arrietta signs Julie Smith to an Ohio Pride contract. Smith became the first player from the USA Olympic gold-medal winning team of 1996 to play in the WPSL. 

May 23, 2000

WPSL announces change in pitching distance from 43’ to the 40’ international standard.

June 9, 2000

Racers vs. USA Team draws crowd of 3,268 fans to Firestone Stadium. The exhibition game received a 0.5 rating on ESPN2, surpassing the channels average mark for NHL and Major League Soccer.

August 17, 2000

Racers battle the Ohio Pride for final spot in playoffs. The Pride defeats the Racers in final game of the regular season to earn a trip to the WPSL Championship vs. the Florida Wahoos in Springfield, Illinois.

2001-2003 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

June 1, 2001
WPSL launches the “Tour of Fastpitch Champions” in Plant City, FL, to focus on expansion opportunities. The roster featured 14 Olympians, national team members, international stars and collegiate All-Americans. The WPSL All-Stars were coached by Tim Kiernan and included Amy Kyler, Monica Armendarez, Kellyn Tate and Danielle Cox. The WPSL Gold Team was coached by former Racers coach, Judy Martino and featured Crystl Bustos, Danielle Henderson and Kelly Kretchman. All seven players had already worn the Racers jersey or would dawn the Akron moniker when the Racers returned to the field in 2004.

June 23-24, 2001
Firestone Stadium hosts the “Tour of Fastpitch Champions” before an excited crowd of fastpitch fans who welcomed back the game at its highest level of play from some of the best players in the world.

November 21, 2002

At the headquarters of MLB in New York, NPF announces plans for recruitment of independently owned teams and unveiled its new name National Pro Fastpitch and logo. Akron Racers continue with the support of the Akron Racers Foundation under GM, Joey Arrietta.

The 2004 NPF Draft included a total of 80 players. The Racers use their first pick in the draft and the second overall selection to obtain the rights to Mississippi State outfielder, Iyhia Mc Michael. With the 9^th pick overall the Racers grab catcher, Jenn Poore (Oregon). Arrietta goes back to 2004 draftee, Oli Keohohou Long Beach) with the 25^th spot in the draft.

2004 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

March 21, 2004
NPF introduces the six teams participating in the 2004 season. The six NPF Ball Clubs include the Akron Racers (Akron, Ohio), Arizona Heat (Tucson, Arizona), Texas Thunder (Houston, Texas), New England Riptide (Boston/Lowell, Massachusetts), New York/New Jersey Juggernaut (Upper Montclair, NJ), and California Sunbirds (Stockton, California).

June 1, 2004

Akron open the 2004 campaign with a thrashing at the hands of the Texas Thunder 10-1 in Texas.

July 7. 2004
Five Akron Racers were named to NPF East Division All-Star Team including Iyhia McMichael (OF), Trena Peel (OF), Jenn Poore (C), Brandi Stuart (2B) and Nicole Trimboli (1B). Judy Martino and Margaret Sutter were selected to coach the East Division All-Star Team.

2005 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

February 7, 2005
Racers use the 5th pick in the 2005 NPF Senior Draft to select pitcher, Jamie Southern from Fresno State. Akron selects Oil Keohohou from Long Beach with the 23rd overall selection. Keohohou was declared an underclassman and could not enter the NPF in 2005.

2006 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

February 15, 2006
Pitcher Jennie Ritter (Michigan) becomes the Racers first pick in the 2006 NPF Senior Draft. Arrietta
snags outfielder Caitlin Benyi (UCLA) with their second pick and the draft’s eighth player overall in the drafted.


August  2006
Racers finish the regular season in third place with a 29-17 record. Iyhia McMichael leads the league with a .333 batting average. Pitcher Radara McHugh registers a team-leading 15 wins and 101 strikeouts.

2007 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

February 9, 2007
Six teams and 96 players join forces for the 2007 season to bring another exciting year of professional fastpitch to fans across the country. The six NPF teams include the 2006 Defending Champions, the New England Riptide, the Akron Racers, Chicago Bandits, Rockford Thunder, the Washington Glory, the league’s newest team and the Philadelphia Force operating under new ownership.

February 14, 2007
Racers get back-to-back selections in the 2007 Senior Draft in the first round. Akron uses the sixth and seventh picks overall to select the speedsters, Norelle Dickson (Oklahoma) and Kellie Middleton (Georgia).

2008 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

July 22, 2008
The Akron Racers hosted the 2008 USA National Team as a part of the Bound for Beijing Tour. A record crowd of 6,256 packed Firestone Stadium for the event with the Racers taking an early lead 2-0 on a two-run homerun by Kristen Butler. The USA Teams rallied in the seventh inning to grab the 7-2 victory over the hometown team.

February 18, 2008

Virginia Tech sensation, pitcher Angela Tincher, becomes the Racers first pick in the 2008 NPF Senior Draft. Akron uses the 11th pick overall to select Hawaii’s Kate Robinson (P/OF).

August 30, 2008

The Racers placed two players on the ALL-NPF despite struggling through the 2008 season. Kristen Butler and Angela Tincher grabbed spots on the All-NPF Team. Tincher posts a league-leading 157 strikeouts in her rookie season with the Racers. While Butler grads the league Defensive Player of the Year honors.

2009 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

February 17, 2009 
Racers acquire the top selection in the 2009 Draft from Washington to obtain three-time All-American outfielder Kaitlin Cochran. The Arizona standout clearly remains one of the top offensive performers in NCAA history. The Racers used the second pick overall to select pitcher D.J. Mathis from Oklahoma. The Racers added eight senior players to their explosive 2009 roster.

March 30, 2009 
Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Crystl Bustos returned to the Racers after picking up a silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Jenny Topping, a member of the 2004 USA Olympic Gold Medal team, also suited up for the 2009 season. Both players were members of the 2005 NPF Championship squad. 2008 All-NPF selections, Kristen Butler and Angela Tincher return to the Racers roster for the 2009 campaign.

June 6, 2009

Rookie sensation Lisa Norris tossed a perfect game in her first stop in the circle as a pro player.

Firestone Stadium, once again, was the site of the NPF Championships as Cat Osterman and the Rockford Thunder slammed the door first on the Racers and then take down the USSSA Pride to grab their first NPF title. Osterman’s near perfect NPF performance earned her the tournament’s MVP honor.

It was, however, the return of Crystl Bustos that fans of all ages wanted to see back in a Racers uniform. Bustos wasted no time picking up the 2009 NPF Most Valuable Player award as well as the league Best Offensive Award before setting down her cleats at home plate.  The Racers’ coaching staff including
Barb Sherwood, Radara McHugh, Shawn Reis and Crystl Bustos received the Coaching Staff of the Year Award.

October 21, 2009
President/GM Joey Arrietta announced that Crystl Bustos had been named the Racers new field manager for the 2010 season. The wildly anticipated move from player-to-coach by Bustos makes Crystl the first NPF player to be named to the head job in league history.

Bustos steps down as the Racers field manager to suit up for the 2010 season. Assistant Coaches Shawn Reis and George Bustos named co-head field managers.

August 2010
The Racers slip to a 24-25 regular season mark in 2010 after loosing eight of their last 10 games.

2011 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

March 15, 2011
Akron Racers select Georgia All-American, Taylor Schlopy with their first pick in the 2011 NPF Senior Draft and the second pick overall. The Racers add the All-Time SEC homerun hitter, Megan Bush (Florida), with the 6th pick overall in the draft.

2012 HISTORICAL TIMELINE

February 3, 2012
Racers GM Joey Arrietta made her first splash into the free agent market with the signing of  2011 Women's College World Series National Champion Kaylyn Castillo from Arizona State. Castillo was the 2011 NFCA Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year.

February 8, 2012
Racers GM Joey Arrietta resigns Akron's one-two punch in the circle, from the 2011 Akron squad that finished second in the regular season for the sixth time in 10 seasons. 2011 All-NPF selections Kristina Thorson (P), and the 2010 NPF Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Norris return for the 2012 campaign

February 10, 2012
The Racers secured their outfield by resigning their number one pick in the 2011 NPF Senior Draft, Taylor Schlopy (Georgia,OF), the 2010 NPF  Defensive Player of the Year, Lisa Modglin and the speedster, Sharonda Mc Donald.

February 13, 2012
GM Joey Arrietta nailed down the hot corner obtaining former Alabama third baseman, Kelley Montalvo for her third season of play and slugger Nicole Pauly(2B) for her second season in Akron. The SEC's all-time homerun queen, Megan Bush (Florida, 1B)  inked her second deal to continue with the Racers. Bush
was the Racers second pick in the 2011 NPF Senior Draft.

February 22, 2012
Racers add free agent, Aja Paculba to the 2012 roster. The standout infielder from the University of Florida's WCWS runner-up squad spent last season with the NPF Diamonds.

February 29, 2012
GM, Joey Arrietta lands yet another free agent for the 2012 season. Brianna Hesson, the former Georgia Bulldog, is reunited with teammate, Taylor Schlopy for the 2012 NPF season. Hesson, one of the best defensive players in the SEC will add much needed depth to the Racers roster.

March 5, 2012
The highly anticipated launch of the new akronracers.org websites includes and in depth look at the Akron Racers, the Akron Racers Foundation and the Akron Racers Charities. The team, their amateur division and their 501c3 provide a comprehensive view of the fastpitch game from "Grassroots to the Pros."

March 6, 2012
The Racers welcome back for her eighth season of play, the  2011 All-NPF first baseman, Nicole Trimboli. This looks to be the final leg in the outstanding career for Trimboli. Nicole, orginally drafted in 2004 by the Colorado Alltitude (suspended play before playing their first game in the league), was obtained by the Racers in the 2004 NPF Supplemental Draft. She played two seasons and grabbed her first NPF Championship ring in 2005 with the Racers. Trimboli left the Racers and headed to Chicago where she played four seasons notching her second championship ring in 2008. Trimboli moved on to the USSSA Pride for the 2010 campaign but suffered an injury that sidelined her for the entire season. The spirited Trimboli motivated her teammates to grab yet another ring in 2010. Her return to Akron brings her career to full circle and back to what she refers to as "home."


March 7, 2012
The 2012 NPF Senior Draft presented by Miken will be conducted at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. The draft will be seen live on profaspitch.com. The Racers have the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 14th, 15th & 19th selections in the draft. The Racers picked up one additional pick in the 4th round via a trade with Chicago to give them six overall selections in the 2012 draft.