With the exception of an All-Star squad of WPSL players, which played two games in a nationally televised Softball World Series in Chattanooga Tennessee, the WPSL went into a very busy hibernation. The WPSL officially changed their name yet again... this time to the NPF... National Pro Fastpitch. They then partnered with Major League Baseball using all of the MLB's resources and partnerships. The result was a massive 178 game season featuring 6 new teams (which believe it or not... didn't involve a team in Plant City). Akron though remained
     steady throughout as the Akron Racers remained (and are today the only roots still remaining to the original WPL). The Ohio Pride did not... but Firestone Stadium was still solidified as the stability of the league. The league featured 6 teams just as the original WPF did back in 1997. They were...