Colorado Altitude (2004 NPF team)

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

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.

History

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

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

  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)