KIMBERLY, Wisc. - National Pro Fastpitch announced its awards for the 2007 season today at a press conference and awards ceremony in Kimberly, Wisc., site of the 2007 NPF Championship Series. Washington Glory's Amber Jackson was named the Majestic Athletic 2007 Player of the Year. In her rookie season, Jackson led the league in just about every offensive category throughout the year and was also the Glory’s mainstay at shortstop. She ranked second in the league in batting average at .372 and led the league in homeruns at 15 and RBIs at 38 while amassing a league-leading slugging percentage of .814.
Washington Glory right-hander and Arizona Heat transplant Desiree Serrano earned Diamond Sports 2007 Pitcher of the Year honors. Her 18 wins set an all-time NPF record for the regular season. Serrano also ranked first in total innings at 140.1 while allowing only 20 walks during her 22 appearances.
Akron Racers second baseman Veronica Wootson slugged her way to the Nokona American Glove Award for the 2007 Offensive Player of the Year. Wootson, an un-drafted free agent, signed a contract to play for the Racers just prior to the start of spring training. She blasted nine homeruns, four doubles and collected 46 hits in 148 official at-bats for a .534 slugging percentage and a .311 average. The Florida State grad has been among the offensive league leaders since day one, scoring 27 runs and chipping in 27 RBIs for the second place Racers. She has been dangerous on the base paths, having swiped 10 bases while posting a .329 on-base percentage. Wootson had seven game-winning hits, three of which were home runs.
New England Riptide Jackie Pasquerella claimed the Nokona American Glove Award as the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year for her stellar performance at third base. During the 2007 season, Pasquerella played in 40 games without committing a single error.
Philadelphia Force ace Kristina Thorson was awarded with the Nokona American Glove Award as the 2007 Rookie of the Year. Thorson finished the season with 115 strikeouts, the fifth-most among NPF pitchers. Thorson posted a 14-5 record, the second-most wins in the league. The Lake Forest Park, Wash., native pitched 12 complete games this season (T-1st), including a no-hitter against Team China and 7 shutouts. Pitching 116.2 innings (fifth in NPF), Thorson only allowed 20 earned runs for a league second-best 1.22 earned run average.
Carie Dever-Boaz was awarded the Diamond Sports 2007 Manager of the Year award. With only a few weeks to prepare her team before the start of the season Dever-Boaz led the new Washington Glory franchise to a regular season championship with a record of 34-10. Under Dever-Boaz 's leadership, the Glory also set the regular season home run record and the record for the most wins in a season by a pitcher. In addition, her team contributed five to the All-NPF team and had the Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year for the NPF.
The Majestic Cup was awarded to Paul Wilson, owner of the Washington Glory, for an outstanding season and a first place finish during the regular season. Under the leadership of Dever-Boaz, the Glory led the league the entire season and finished the season with a .773 winning percentage.
National Pro Fastpitch commissioner Cheri Kempf also recognized the league-wide effort by NPF players, staff, owners and sponsors for another great season and for their contribution to the development and growth of National Pro Fastpitch and to NPF fans for their continued support.
National Pro Fastpitch, the NFCA's promotional partner, is headquartered in Denver, Colo. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL).
