Akron Racers

Akron Racers
League	National Pro Fastpitch
Location	Akron, Ohio
Ballpark	Firestone Stadium
Year Founded	1999
Colors	black, red, grey
Management	Joey Arrietta (GM)
Manager	Jake Schumann (Head coach)

Exterior of Firestone Stadium, site of Akron Racer home games.

The Akron Racers are a women's softball team based in Akron, Ohio. The team was started by Joey Arietta in 1999 to participate in the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL).^[1][2] Since the 2004 season, they have played as a member of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF).

History

The Racers began as the Orlando Wahoos. The team moved to Akron prior to the 2000 season, sharing Firestone Stadium with the also-recently-moved Ohio Pride, which was previously the Georgia Pride.^[3]

In their first year the Racers made it to the championship of the WPSL, but lost to the Tampa Bay FireStix.^[4] The WPSL suspended operations in 2001; the Racers was the only team of the four 2001 teams to revive when the league reformed as the NPF in 2004. In 2005 the Racers beat the Chicago Bandits to win the NPF championship.^[5] From 2004 to 2008, the Akron Racers have compiled an all-time win-loss record of 149-94.

Crystl Bustos was named manager in October 2009, replacing Barb Sherwood.^[6]

Akron Racers

year	wins	losses	%
WPSL
1999	34	32	0.515
2000	15	17	0.469
NPF
2004	39	21	0.650
2005	36	10	0.783
2006	29	17	0.630
2007	26	17	0.605
2008	19	29	0.396
2009	26	14	0.650
total	224	157	0.588

Notable players

• Crystl Bustos (1999, 2005, 2006)^[7]

Current Players

Akron Racers rosterMorgan Childers 11 Lisa Norris 19 Toni Paisley 1 Kristina Thorson						Catchers 13 Samantha Marder 27 Roya St. Clair Infielders 3 Courtney Bures 12 Megan Bush 23 Micaela Minner 10 Kelley Montalvo 16 Nicole Pauly 7 Jessica Williams Outfielders 9 Kelly Greive 22 Lisa Modglin 2 Taylor Schlopy		Manager -- Jake Schumann Coaches -- Eric Iverson 7-day disabled list ∞ Reserve list § Suspended list ‡ Restricted list # Rehab assignment → More rosters

2010

The following is the Racers 2010 home schedule:

• Thursday, June 24 (Chicago)
• Friday, June 25 (Chicago)
• Saturday, June 26 (Chicago)
• Sunday, June 27 (Chicago)
• Thursday, July 1 (Florida)
• Friday, July 2 (Florida)
• Saturday, July 3 (Florida)
• Sunday, July 4 (Florida)
• Monday, July 5 (Florida)
• Wednesday, July 14 (Florida)
• Thursday, July 15 (Florida)
• Friday, July 16 (Chicago)
• Saturday, July 17 (Chicago)
• Sunday, July 18 (Chicago)
• Saturday, July 24 (Chicago)
• Sunday, July 25 (Chicago)
• Monday, July 26 (Chicago)
• Thursday, July 29 (Tennessee)
• Friday, July 30(Tennessee)
• Saturday, July 31 (Tennessee)
• Sunday, August 1 (Tennessee) - Doubleheader
• Friday, August 6 (Chicago)
• Saturday, August 7 (Chicago)
• Sunday, August 8 (Chicago)

Note: All home games played at Firestone Stadium; Opponent listed in parentheses

References

1. ^ "AKRON GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER -- TOGETHER". http://www.belairestores.com/togetherakronracers/ProductCart/pc/togetherstory.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-05. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "1999 WPSL Season" (pdf). http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/1999%20WPSL%20Season%20Standings.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
3. ^ Digital Ballparks: Firestone Stadium
4. ^ "Steve Dimitry's IWPSA Web Page". Archived from the original on 2009-10-24. http://www.webcitation.org/5kmEXaTWk. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
5. ^ "profastpithc.com: About NPF". http://www.profastpitch.com/about/. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 
6. ^ cleveland.com
7. ^ "Crystl Bustos". http://softball.teamusa.org/athlete/athlete/818. Retrieved 2009-10-05. 

External links

• Akron Racers
• National Pro Fastpitch