National Pro Fastpitch Brings Professional Softball to Delmarva

Salisbury, MD – At a press conference held on Thursday, April 24, Wicomico County and the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) unveiled details on a national sports marketing event coming to Delmarva this May. USSSA Vice President of Fast Pitch Bill Dowell and Wicomico County’s Director of Administration Wayne Strausburg announced that the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is bringing a two-game series featuring the USSSA FL Pride and PA Rebellion on May 30 and 31 to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Dowell explained that the “eggstravaganza,” as he called it, would include a NPF Banquet & Reception featuring Pride and Rebellion players on May 29. The banquet, held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, offers attendees the chance for a meet and greet with players and autograph session. In addition to the banquet, Dowell announced USSSA is hosting a youth softball tournament. The tournament, open to all ages and divisions has drawn close to 40 teams.
County Executive Rick Pollitt commented, "I encourage all of our residents to come out, enjoy the games and support our efforts to secure Wicomico County's place as a leader in national youth sports competition. It’s sure to be the best softball competition anywhere!"

Headquartered in Nashville, TN., the NPF league offers elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career. It is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball for women’s fastpitch softball. Dowell elaborated that NPF players, “…represent the best of the best in women’s softball. Rosters are filled with Olympic medalists and NCAA national champions.”

The NPF events are a result of the County’s continued efforts to grow and retain its book of sports marketing events, explained Strausburg. Last year, Wicomico County’s tourism division hosted 30 events, attracting just under 300,000 visitors requiring 31,000 hotel room nights. In total, these events generated a $17.6 million dollar economic impact. This year, the County is on a trajectory to grow the economic impact to $20 million. Strausburg emphasized that this growth is in large part due to the County’s ability to expand its reach in the sports marketing sector.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the NPF games, banquet or USSSA tournament please visitwww.SalisburyChampionships.org.