| The Women's Pro Softball League was active from | | | | international teams from Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, |
| 1997-2001. After a few years of inactivity, it was | | | | China, Russia and Australia. |
| revived and rebranded in 2004 as National Pro | | | | As with all growing leagues, teams changed cities |
| Fastpitch. The league has six teams: the New England | | | | many times from inception to today. Though the New |
| Riptide, the Philadelphia Force, USSSA Pride, Akron | | | | England Riptide has not outright folded as some teams |
| Racers, Chicago Bandits and the Rockford Thunder. | | | | have, they did sit out the 2009 season due to |
| In the process of rebranding and reforming in 2002, | | | | economic reasons. |
| NPF teamed up with Major League Baseball as part | | | | One interesting game the NPF plays is the "Battle of |
| of their ongoing efforts to connect with women. The | | | | the Bats." Every Saturday night home game, four |
| MLB signed on as an Official Development Partner, | | | | players from each team represent a different bat |
| and with their help NPF put on an all-star softball tour in | | | | manufacturer for a home run hitting contest between |
| 2003. | | | | bat companies and players. The conclusion of the |
| 2004 was the first full season for National Pro | | | | series takes place at the NPF championship weekend |
| Fastpitch. The six teams played 178 games. The 2005 | | | | in Kimberly, Wisconsin. |
| season had less games, 144, but grew to include | | | | |