The Colorado Altitude were a women's professional softball team based in Littleton, Colorado. They were part of the founding roster of National Pro Fastpitch teams in 2004.
History
During the NPF's 2003 All-Star tour, the league announced the addition of a team in the Denver, Colorado area. The owners were Danny Stroud and Claud York. The team was named the Colorado Altitude and expected to play at All City Stadium in Denver. Long-time UCLA softball coach and WPF Orlando Wahoos coach Sharron Backus was to be the coach of the Altitude.
The Altitude were assigned to the NPF's West Division, along with the San Antonio Armadillos, Arizona Heat, and California Sunbirds. The East Division included NY/NJ Juggernaut, New England Riptide, Akron Racers and Texas Thunder.
In March 2004, NPF released its inaugural schedule for the year and did not include the Armadillos and the Altitude. The Altitude announced that it was their decision not to join the league in 2004, citing various concerns and leaving open the possibility of considering playing in NPF in 2005. However, the only 2005 expansion team was the Chicago Bandits, and NPF has yet to add a full-time member in Colorado.
Players The Altitude participated in NPF's inaugural Elite Draft and Senior Draft. The following players were drafted by Colorado:
Player Position College Draft Position NPF ExperienceLindsey Gardner2BTexasElite Draft: Round 1, Pick 5Texas/Rockford Thunder (2004–08)Randi Berg2BFresno StateElite Draft: Round 2, Pick 13 - ReleasedGeorgia Pride (1999), Florida Wahoos (2000)Nikki BoweyOFMercerElite Draft: Round 3 Pick 21Never played in NPFRachel GenschCFBradleyElite Draft: Round 4, Pick 29 - ReleasedNever played in NPFPhelan Wright3BArizona StateSenior Draft: Round 1, Pick 4Arizona Heat (2005)Nicole BarberOFGeorgiaSenior Draft: Round 2, Pick 12Washington Glory (2007–08)Nicole TrimboliOFNebraskaSenior Draft: Round 3, Pick 20Akron Racers (2004–05), Chicago Bandits (2006–09), USSSA Pride (2010–11), Akron Racers (2011-12)Kristin FarberPArizona StateSenior Draft: Round 4, Pick 28Never played in NPFRicki WalkerUTColorado StateSenior Draft Round 5, Pick 36Never played in NPFMeghann Reiss1BWisconsinSenior Draft: Round 6, Pick 44 - ReleasedNever played in NPF
References
External links
The Softball Channel