I spent a good deal of the weekend watching women's college softball. Sixteen teams played in the super regionals to determine the eight teams that will play in the WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES.
Some of the usual suspects made it through - UCLA, Arizona, and Arizona State. All those teams are from the traditionally softball-dominant PAC-10. But, this year, we also have teams from the SEC (Alabama and Florida) and from the ACC (Virginia Tech) that look like they could challenge for the title. Va Tech wasn't seeded, but their pitcher, Angela Tincher, is awesome. Earlier this year, she managed to no-hit Team USA, so she could carry the Hokies to a title. The action starts Thursday at noon on ESPN.
Some of the players you'll see in the WCWS will continue their careers with NPF, National Pro Fastpitch. It's a six-team league that includes the PHILADELPHIA FORCE (which happens to play its home games at Bicentennial Park in Allentown). This year's team could include draftee pitchers Katie Burkhart (Arizona State) and Megan Gibson (Texas A&M) - after they finish their college careers in the aforementioned WCWS. The Force also drafted Savannah Long, Oklahoma's outstanding shortstop. Va Tech's Angela Tincher went to the AKRON RACERS.
The Force will be at home during my vacation week. Maybe I'll go down to the Valley and take in a game.