The League - 1978

FOUR TEAMS OPEN WOMEN'S PRO SOFTBALL PLAY

By John Munich

With an optimistic look to expansion next year, the women's professional softball association will operate their 1978 season with four financially strong franchises. The defending champions, Connecticut Falcons, Buffalo Bisons (Breskis), San Jose Sunbirds and St. Louis Hummers.

Bakersfield, an original league member who moved to California last year from Phoenix, lost a multitude of its home playing dates at Bakersfield Memorial Stadium to the Triple AAA Bakersfield Outlaws of the Pacific Coast Baseball League and would have been forced to play most of its home games in the afternoon. Due to economic reasons, the team management announced that the team would drop out of the WPSA for the 1978 campaign and re-enter the league in 1979. The Santa Ana, California franchise will be moved to White Plains, N. Y. in 1979.

"As bad as it may appear on the outside, we feel we have two things going for us", said Gayle Harraword, league administrator. "First of all, the four remaining teams will be much stronger for the 1978 season with each obtaining top-notch players through the dispersal draft, and secondly, we have the potential of the ideal 10-team format in 1979 with the applications we have received for franchises. In addition to re-entry of Bakersfield and White Plains next season, Denver, Colorado, Edmonton, Canada, Springfield, Ohio and East Lansing, Michigan have applied for franchises."

BUFFALO BISONS

Henry Breski. who suffered heavy financial losses in his two years as owner of the Buffalo Breskis, said he would not participate in a league with only four teams. As a result the Buffalo franchise was awarded to Tim Maloney former Breski general manager. Maloney and former Breskis' coaches Ron Cassel, Dave Florko along with seven others formed the Buffalo Bison Softball Club. The team will sport a new name (Bisons) and new colors (red, white and navy blue).

Mary Ann Cardillo, Helen Nikiel, Val Strachan and Dawn Forster are the only players remaining from the Breskis 1976 roster. This year's team has been bolstered with the addition of hard throwing Charlotte Graham who last year pitched for the Santa Ana Lionettes and in 1976 the San Jose Sunbirds. With the Sunbirds, Charlotte posted a 23-11 record. They also have added shortstop Fran Sarullo from Connecticut and this mighty mite should be a favorite with the Bison fans. Also returning this season are Cathy Irvine, Connie Peterson, Barb Ross, Pat Willis, Pat Klammer, Pat Stockman and Carole Myers.

CONNECTICUT FALCONS

The defending two-time World Series Champions return most of its starters from last season. The incomparable Joan Joyce leads the squad along with standouts Joyce Compton, Willie Roze and Irene Shea. Sandy Fischer had an off year in 1977 but is being counted on to bolster the pitching staff along with Donna Terry and Kathy Neal. Watch for newcomers Jackie Ledbetter, Margaret Rebenar and Linda McMorran who were picked up in the dispersal draft; Jackie and Linda from the Santa Ana Lionettes and Margaret from the Bakersfield Aggies.

SAN JOSE SUNBIRDS

Right at the beginning of the season, ten players walked out on strike after not being able to reach a salary agreement with management. When the financial situation worsened, management cut salaries completely and the ten players walked out in protest. As a result, the Sunbirds return only four players from last year’s team; Rhonda Ebersole, Karen Ambler, Mary Flint and Sue Lindh. Rhonda and Karen are counted on to do the pitching and Mary and Sue are being counted on to supply the hitting.

ST. LOUIS HUMMERS