Misplaced Pages

USSSA Pride
Information
League	National Pro Fastpitch (2009–2019) Independent (2020–2021) Women's Professional Fastpitch (2022–)
Location	Viera, Florida
Ballpark	USSSA Space Coast Complex
Founded	2009
Cowles Cup championships	2010, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Regular season champion	2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Colors	Navy, red, silver, white
Retired numbers	8, 26
General Manager	Don DeDonatis
Coach	Kelly Kretschman
Website	usssapride.com

The USSSA Pride is a professional softball team based in Viera, Florida and a former member of Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF). Founded in 2009, they previously played in National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) from 2009 to 2019. They play their home games at USSSA Space Coast Complex.

The team was established to replace the folded Washington Glory, who played in NPF from 2007 to 2008. They are organized by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). The Pride won the Cowles Cup championship in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

History

2015 - 2019

Of their selections in the 2015 NPF Draft, the Pride signed All-American and 2013 Big 12 Player of the Year Shelby Pendley of Oklahoma, two-time All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year Emilee Koerner of Notre Dame, and All-American and 2012 Pac-12 Player of the Year Amber Freeman of Arizona State. All-time NCAA Division I homerun champion Lauren Chamberlain signed a three-year deal.

The Pride also signed free agent All-American Chelsea Goodacre of Arizona.

Caitlin Lowe announced her retirement as a player after the 2014 season. Subsequently, the Pride announced that Lowe would be inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame, and that her jersey number 26 would be retired.

In 2017, the Pride announced that former player and assistant coach Megan Willis was promoted to assistant general manager.

USSSA purchased Space Coast Stadium and announced renovations to make it a center for amateur softball and baseball with 15 fields. It became the Pride's new home stadium, beginning in 2017.

At the Pride's first home game at USSSA Space Coast Stadium, played on June 8, 2017, the team announced that it had retired legendary pitcher Cat Osterman's jersey number "8," commemorating it with a banner on the outfield fence.

In 2018, the Pride announced Mike Stith, the head coach of the OC BatBusters, would be their coach for 2018. His assistants were Cody Dent, volunteer assistant coach of the Florida Gators softball team, and Andrea Duran, Olympic medalist and former Pride player.

On September 13, 2019, the Pride announced they would not renew their partnership with National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) for the 2020 season.

2020 - present

On September 30, 2021, the Pride announced they are joining the WPF - Women's Professional Fastpitch league for the 2022 exhibition season. They played in the 2023 Women's Professional Fastpitch season, the inaugural season of the league, where they were crowned Runners-Up against the Texas Smoke.

They declined to continue participation in the WPF for the 2024 season.

General managers

• Don DeDonatis (-present)

All-time head coaches

Season-by-season

Retired numbers

The Pride has retired two jerseys:

• Cat Osterman 8
• Caitlin Lowe 26

Current players

References

1. Jami Lobpries (29 May 2015). "Shelby Pendley Signs with the USSSA Pride". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
2. "Irish Great Koerner Inks Contract With USSSA Pride". Notre Dame Fighting Irisg Athletics. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
3. Jami Lobpries (27 May 2015). "Former Arizona State All-American signs with USSSA Pride". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
4. Jami Lobpries (4 June 2015). "Pride Sign First Overall Draft Pick Lauren Chamberlain". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
5. Richie Melby (31 May 2015). "Former Wildcat Chelsea Goodacre signs pro contract". News4Tucson KVOA.com. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
6. ^ Jami Lobpries (5 June 2015). "Caitlin Lowe's Legacy Continues with USSSA". USSSAPride.com. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
7. Celia Balf (21 December 2016). "Former USSSA Pride catcher Megan Willis named team's assistant general manager". Excelle Sports. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
8. Dave Berman (27 April 2017). "Space Coast Stadium transforming to youth sports hub". Florida Today. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
9. ^ "usssafloridapride". Instagram. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
10. "Breaking News: Mike Stith of the OC Batbusters Named as USSSA Pride Head Coach". Extra Inning Softball. May 16, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
11. "USSSA Pride Part Ways With The NPF, Opt For Non-Renewal". flosoftball.com. September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.

External links

• Official website

• USSSA Pride
• Softball teams in Florida
• National Pro Fastpitch teams
• Sports in Kissimmee, Florida
• 2009 establishments in Florida
• Sports clubs and teams established in 2009