90 Madison Street, Suite
200 9 Denver, Colorado 80206 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Alan Taylor
Communications - Phone- (212) 714-1280 Women's Pro Fastpitch
(WPF) -- Phone: (303) 316-7800 WOMEN'S PRO FASTPITCH (WPF) DENVER, November 6 - Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) announced today the formal assignment of contracted players from the Orlando Wahoos, whose operations were suspended, to the expansion Akron Racers. Members of the two-time defending WPF champion Wahoos will make up the Akron roster along with players selected in the 1999 WPF Amateur Draft. "The Akron Racers will be stocked with players from the two-time defending champions," WPF CEO/Comniissioner John Carroll said. "The citizens of Akron, Ohio can fully expect to see the game of women's professional fastpitch played by proven winners during the Racers inaugural season." WPF suspended operations in Orlando, Fla. pending fiffffier negotiations with a major national enterprise that can upgrade the playing venue and team support. Carroll cited the team's metropolitan location and its current venue size as reasons for the suspension. The prospects for improved Orlando business performance in the future were affecting negotiations for additional sponsorships and media partnerships. "WPF's primary goal is to offer an opportunity for women to play fastpitch softball at the professional level and bring its exciting style of play to the fans at affordable prices," Carroll said. "We will continue to pursue opportunities that fit those interests as well as increase the status and exposure of the league. We look forward to the upcoming season and finalizing these negotiations - which hopefully will allow us to continue future play in Orlando. Akron will possess the sixth overall selection in the 1999 Vv'PF Amateur Draft, which is being held in conjunction with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) convention on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Racers will acquire the remainder of their players through trades and free agency. - On Wednesday, the Racers acquired pitcher Carla Brookbank from the Virginia Roadsters in exchange for 1998 WPF Pitcher-of-the-Year Kaci Clark. Brookbank, an Akron native, is WPF's all-time leader in games pitched (78), innings pitched (408. 1), and games started (50). The former Kent State University and Springfield High School standout ranks third all-time in WPF with 25 wins and second in saves (4). Last season, she compiled a record of 7-12 with a 1.98 ERA in 163 innings pitched. AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. is the largest digital wireless carrier in the United States and also provides messaging, wireless data and aviation communications services. AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. had more than 2.4 million Digital PCS customers and more ffim 8.6 million total wireless customers on a proportional count. AT&T Wireless services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Corp. (NYSET:T), the world's leader in telecommunications services and technology.
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