CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — In a devastating blow to the softball community, the National Pro Fastpitch league announced its suspending operations effective immediately.
“The cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, necessitated by the combination of the COVID pandemic and preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, has effectively shut off all sources of league revenue and necessitated the termination of league staff and other essential services. At this point, resumption of activity is impossible to predict,” read a statement from the NPF.
That meant the Chicago Bandits are shutting down as well and letting go of all their staff.
The Rosemont team’s General Manager Toni Calmeyn told the Journal & Topics she was heartbroken, but not surprised by the shutdown, saying the league had been struggling since the start of the pandemic.
The Bandits were one of the top teams in the NPF, reaching the championship series 10 times since their debut in 2005.
Their last game will officially go down as an 8-2 loss in game three of the NPF Championship Series in August of 2019.
Calmeyn also told the Journal & Topics the Parkway Bank Sports Complex will be put to good use hosting the upcoming softball seasons for Athletes Unlimited, a professional women’s sports league.
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