NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SET FOR CONNECTICUT; CT BRAKETTES, DELUCA FIELD WILL HOST 4-TEAM EVENT AUGUST 26-27

August 23, 2006 - The 2006 National Pro Fastpitch championship series will be staged in Connecticut, as announced on August 3 by NPF president Patrick Linden. Hosted by the Connecticut Brakettes, the four-team event will be played at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field, located in Stratford, CT, and home of the Brakettes since 1988.

The top four finishers from the 2006 regular season will advance to the championship series. Last year, the Akron Racers defeated regular-season champion Chicago Bandits 5-4 in the title game played in Lisle, IL.

"We are pleased that our bid to host the NPF championships was accepted," said Connecticut Brakettes chairman David O. Carpenter. "This promises to be an exciting time for everyone in the Brakettes softball organization, our loyal fans and the Town of Stratford, which has been our home for 60 years and is well-versed in hosting championships."

Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field has been host of the Amateur Softball Association’s Women’s Major Fastpitch championship tournament in 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, and 2005. It also has been the site of the ASA 23-and-Under championships in 2001 and will again serve as the home for the 2007 event. DeLuca Field and the Brakettes hosted the 2000 and 2004 USA Olympic Teams. The appearances of the Olympic Team drew crowds of 3,500 for each event.

Prior to playing at DeLuca Field in 1988, the Brakettes called Raybestos Memorial Field, located in the center of town, their home from 1947-1987. Raybestos Memorial Field was the site of the 11 National ASA women’s championships from 1958-1976. It also hosted the Third Women’s World Championship in 1974, a 15-nation event that was won by the Brakettes, who represented the United States in the days before Team USA. In that tournament, the Brakettes defeated Japan 3-0 in front of 15,000 fans for the first of their three World Championships.

The tournament format will include two semi-finals on Saturday, August 26 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively. The championship will be played Sunday, August 27 at 6 p.m. The participants and pairings will be announced later. Each game is a separate admission with a special tournament package offered for all three games.

Advanced ticket sales for the championship are under way and will continue through Friday, August 25 at 5 p.m. Fans who want to secure advance tickets must purchase the three-game package, which are available at special rates. Stadium box seats are $15 for the three-game series, which represents a 50% savings from purchasing individual game tickets ($10 each). Reserved seats with back rests, located directly behind the box seats in the home plate area, are available for $12 for the three-game series. These are normally $8 each. Bleacher seats, usually $6 each, and located on first and third base, are also available for three-game packages for $9, another 50% savings.

Individual game day tickets are $10 for box seats, $8 for reserved with back rests and $6 for bleacher seats for each session. The box seats and reserved will be individually numbered, while bleacher seats are on a first-come basis. General admission seats will also be available for $5 each.

Fans may order tickets by contacting the Connecticut Brakettes at (203) 378-7262, via email at brakettes05@hotmail.com, or by mail order. The Connecticut Brakettes’ office is located at 185 Lordship Road, Stratford, CT 06615. Ticket information is also available at www.ctbrakettes.com.

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