The NPF has a player draft every year, much like the drafts you see in the MLB. Each year the draft consists of the NPF looking at college seniors. The players will not be signed to the league until their college eligibility is completed.
Individual teams also have tryouts that are regional during the late winter months and early spring so they can fill available spots on their respective teams. If a player is not under contract, has not yet been drafted and has completed her college eligibility, she may seek out individual teams in an effort to secure a spot on that team. Players who fall into this category are considered to be free agents. As with all sports, free agents are encouraged to provide career accomplishments and statistics to the prospective team.
The NPF holds regional tryouts each year for those who have not been drafted by the NPF or individual teams. Those interested in being drafted should reference the NCAA rules in regards to involvement with professional teams http://www.ncaa.org/. Being aware of the collegiate rules and regulations is extremely important when trying out for professional teams when you are still obligated to college play.
We all know that professional men's teams pay more than women's professional sports, but the following is quite pathetic if you ask me. If you are drafted to the NPF, the average salary is $2,500-$5,000 for the season. The season of course is only 3 months long in softball. The NPF is hoping that they will be able to pay their players year-round salaries once the league is established. I would think after five years the league would be able to pay their players more than what they are now, but do to poor marketing strategies and the lack of promotional projects, the pay for women's softball will not increase anytime soon. It is not very advantageous, monetarily, for women who want to pursue their dreams of playing professional softball, but their passion for playing surpasses the monetary value by far.
Individual teams also have tryouts that are regional during the late winter months and early spring so they can fill available spots on their respective teams. If a player is not under contract, has not yet been drafted and has completed her college eligibility, she may seek out individual teams in an effort to secure a spot on that team. Players who fall into this category are considered to be free agents. As with all sports, free agents are encouraged to provide career accomplishments and statistics to the prospective team.
The NPF holds regional tryouts each year for those who have not been drafted by the NPF or individual teams. Those interested in being drafted should reference the NCAA rules in regards to involvement with professional teams http://www.ncaa.org/. Being aware of the collegiate rules and regulations is extremely important when trying out for professional teams when you are still obligated to college play.
We all know that professional men's teams pay more than women's professional sports, but the following is quite pathetic if you ask me. If you are drafted to the NPF, the average salary is $2,500-$5,000 for the season. The season of course is only 3 months long in softball. The NPF is hoping that they will be able to pay their players year-round salaries once the league is established. I would think after five years the league would be able to pay their players more than what they are now, but do to poor marketing strategies and the lack of promotional projects, the pay for women's softball will not increase anytime soon. It is not very advantageous, monetarily, for women who want to pursue their dreams of playing professional softball, but their passion for playing surpasses the monetary value by far.
Now this is a sport that I'm familiar with! I played in high school and my daughter's high school team was 3 time state runner up in D4. I know, they never could capture that crown. I totally agree with you though that most women play for passion and not money.
ReplyDeleteSandi