2009-08-17
2009 NPF Championship Field Set
 AKRON, Ohio – For the second consecutive season, the Chicago Bandits finished the year as regular season champions and clinched the #1 seed heading into playoffs with a league-best 27-12 record. The Akron Racers awaited the conclusion of the regular season and finished in second place with a 26-14 mark after taking four games out of five against the league-leading Chicago Bandits in Elgin, Ill.
Cat Osterman, arguably the biggest roadblock for Chicago en route to their first place finish, suffered her first loss on the year, dropping to 11-1 as the Rockford Thunder solidified the #3 playoff slot with a 19-21 record. The USSSA Pride dashed the Philadelphia Force’s playoff hopes in Allentown, Pa. with a 3-2 series to clinch the final slot to Akron with a 15-24 record.
Schedule of Events and Ticket Information:
Wednesday, August 19th will serve as FanFest and open celebrations for the Championship Series. The Backyard BBQ featuring live music by the Steve Flaughers Band, Celebrity Home Run Hitting Contest (featuring Media Personalities and Sponsors), player autographs, games as well as contests! Gates will open at 4:00 pm and will conclude upon completion of the Battle of the Bats contest. In addition to the Battle of the Bats finale, FanFest will serve as the NPF Award Ceremony. Admission is priced at just $5 per person.
Thursday, August 20th marks the opening of the Championship Series. Gates will open at 3:00 pm with “Playoff Game #1,” featuring the Chicago Bandits and USSSA Pride seed taking place at 6:00 pm. “Playoff Game #2” will showcase the Akron Racers against the Rockford Thunder and start at approximately 8:45 pm.
Competition resumes on Friday, August 21st with “Playoff game #3” pitting the Chicago Bandits and USSSA Pride at 6:00 pm. Gates at Firestone Stadium will open at 3:00 pm. “Playoff game #4” featuring Akron and Rockford will be played at approximately 8:45 pm.
Ticket Prices for Thursday and Friday will run $13 a session (includes 2 games) for Stadium Seating/Cambria Suites Bleachers/Terrace Seating and $14 a session (includes 2 games) VIP Seating and $15 a session (includes 2 games).
Should the Championship field not be decided upon conclusion of Friday’s games, if necessary matchups will be scheduled on Saturday, August 22nd. If necessary “Playoff Game #5” will serve as a tie-breaker between the #1 and #4 seeds at 1:00 pm. Tickets for the day will go on sale at 9:00 am with gates opening at 10:00 am. The second if necessary game would begin at approximately 4:00 pm and serve as a tie-breaker between the #2 and #3 seeds. Please note that tickets for ‘if necessary’ games will not go on sale until SATURDAY morning and will be priced accordingly:
$7/$13 - Stadium Seating/Cambria Suites Bleachers/Terrace Seating (one game/two games)
$8/$14 - VIP Seating (one game/two games)
The first championship game is scheduled for Saturday, August 22nd at approximately 7:00 pm.
Championship play will continue on Sunday, August 23rd with championship game two scheduled for 1:00 pm. Gates will open at 9:00 am with an if necessary tie-breaker slated for 4:00 pm.
Tickets for the Championship games will be priced as follows for EACH game:
$8 - Stadium Seating/Cambria Suites Bleachers/Terrace Seating
$9 - VIP Seating
A post-game trophy and championship MVP Award Presentation will follow upon conclusion of the championship game with the Cowles Cup being presented to the 2009 NPF Champion.
Fans unavailable to make the trip to Akron, Ohio to catch the Championship Series in person can tune in from home. All games will be streamed via profastpitch.com thanks to the NPF’s partnership with MLB.com as well as live statistics which will be available via Gametracker.
Tickets for the Championship series are now on sale!! Fans may call the Akron Racers Box Office at 330-376-8188 or purchase them online by visiting Ticket Return.com.
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