Colorado Altitude (2004 NPF team)

The Colorado Altitude were a women's professional softball team based in Littleton, Colorado. They were part of the founding roster of National Pro Fastpitch teams in 2004.

Colorado Altitude
Information
LeagueNational Pro Fastpitch
LocationLittleton, CO
BallparkAll City Stadium
Founded2004
OwnershipDanny Stroud
ManagerSharron Backus

History edit

During the NPF's 2003 All-Star tour, the league announced the addition of a team in the Denver, Colorado area. The owners were Danny Stroud and Claud York.[1] The team was named the Colorado Altitude and expected to play at All City Stadium in Denver.[2] Long-time UCLA softball coach and WPF Orlando Wahoos coach Sharron Backus was to be the coach of the Altitude.[3]

The Altitude were assigned to the NPF's West Division, along with the San Antonio Armadillos, Arizona Heat, and California Sunbirds. The East Division included NY/NJ Juggernaut, New England Riptide, Akron Racers and Texas Thunder.[4]

In March 2004, NPF released its inaugural schedule for the year and did not include the Armadillos and the Altitude.[5] The Altitude announced that it was their decision not to join the league in 2004, citing various concerns and leaving open the possibility of considering playing in NPF in 2005.[6] However, the only 2005 expansion team was the Chicago Bandits, and NPF has yet to add a full-time member in Colorado.

Players edit

The Altitude participated in NPF's inaugural Elite Draft and Senior Draft. The following players were drafted by Colorado:[7]

Player

Position

College

Draft Position

NPF Experience[8]

Lindsey Gardner 2B Texas Elite Draft: Round 1, Pick 5 Texas/Rockford Thunder (2004–08)
Randi Berg 2B Fresno State Elite Draft: Round 2, Pick 13 - Released Georgia Pride (1999), Florida Wahoos (2000)
Nikki Bowey OF Mercer Elite Draft: Round 3 Pick 21 Never played in NPF
Rachel Gensch CF Bradley Elite Draft: Round 4, Pick 29 - Released Never played in NPF
Phelan Wright 3B Arizona State Senior Draft: Round 1, Pick 4 Arizona Heat (2005)
Nicole Barber OF Georgia Senior Draft: Round 2, Pick 12 Washington Glory (2007–08)
Nicole Trimboli OF Nebraska Senior Draft: Round 3, Pick 20 Akron Racers (2004–05), Chicago Bandits (2006–09), USSSA Pride (2010–11), Akron Racers (2011-12)
Kristin Farber P Arizona State Senior Draft: Round 4, Pick 28 Never played in NPF
Ricki Walker UT Colorado State Senior Draft Round 5, Pick 36 Never played in NPF
Meghann Reiss 1B Wisconsin Senior Draft: Round 6, Pick 44 - Released Never played in NPF

References edit

  1. ^ "NPF Announces Colorado Franchise". ProFastpitch.com. 1 July 2003. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "Get to Know the Eight Teams Comprising National Pro Fastpitch" (PDF). National Fastpitch Coaches Association. 1 December 2003. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  3. ^ "TEAMS". profastpitch.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Teams". profastpitch.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "National Pro Fastpitch Introduces Six Teams; Inaugural Season League Play Launches in Early June". ProFastpitch.com. March 2004. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Note to our fans and supporters:". ColoradoAltitude.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Teams". ProFastpitch.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Historical Rosters". ProFastpitch.com. June 1, 2014. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links edit