ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University will serve as the host site for the Aussie Spirit of the National Pro Fastpitch league this spring and summer with the NPF’s Opening Day coming at the Griffon Spring Sport Complex.
The Missouri Western campus will be the official training home for the Australian team that will compete in the professional softball league in preparation for the Women’s Softball World Championship in Chiba, Japan and the return of softball to the Summer Olympics in 2020. Aussie Spirit will conduct practices and training sessions on campus in addition to playing five of its NPF games at the Spring Sports Complex.
The NPF has chosen Spirit’s inaugural game at Missouri Western on May 19 as the league’s Opening Day. Spirit will host the NPF’s other international team, the Beijing Eagles ,in the league’s first game of the 2018 season. It will bring an Olympic-type environment to the Spring Sports Complex. Much like the Spirit, the Beijing Eagles are a Chinese national team preparing for international competition through NPF games and are coached by northwest Missouri native and Mizzou softball legend Teresa Wilson.
“Missouri Western is proud to partner with Softball Australia and National Pro Fastpitch to provide a top-tier training environment as Australia prepares for the 2018 World Championship and qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,” MWSU Director of Athletics Josh Looney said. “Hosting international competition and NPF’s 2018 Opening Day is an incredible opportunity to showcase our campus and community to softball fans across the globe. From serving as the home base of the Aussie Spirit, to hosting our ninth consecutive Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in July and August, more than 100 professional athletes will call MWSU home this summer.”
In addition to games in St. Joseph, the team will play games in the Kansas City area and around the Midwest as part of a 48-game NPF schedule. The professional softball league is in its 15th season and is led by a familiar name in Griffon Softball lore. Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame member and St. Joseph native Cheri Kempf serves as the league’s commissioner.
“A key for international growth in the NPF is quality partnership with U.S hosting entities. Missouri Western has been enthusiastic about a hosting opportunity since we first approached them with the idea,” Kempf said. “MWSU is a campus that is accustomed to hosting professional sports training and St. Joseph has always been an enthusiastic fastpitch softball community. I look forward to the Aussie Spirit calling St. Joseph and Missouri Western State University home for the 2018 season and know they will love it there.”
“We are so proud to boast a facility that Cheri Kempf felt welcomed the needs of the Australian National team,” Griffon Softball Head Coach Jen Bagley Trotter said. “St. Joseph, Missouri Western and the fastpitch community have a special opportunity to see the top level of competition in our sport. We couldn’t be more excited.”
Aussie Spirit is one of two international teams in the league that features five teams. Currently, Spirit is scheduled to play games at the Spring Sports Complex on May 19 at 7 p.m.; a doubleheader on May 20 beginning at 4 p.m.; and another doubleheader at 4 p.m. on July 13. A complete schedule and ticket information can be found on the official website of the NPF, profastpitch.com.
— MWSU Athletics —