Maryville secures professional softball franchise

Get ready, softball fans. There's a professional fastpitch team coming near you with a familiar face at its forefront.

The National Pro Fastpitch League announced Tuesday that a new team, the Tennessee Diamonds, has been franchised and will begin play this summer in Blount County.

Sarah Fekete, former star outfielder at Maryville High School and the University of Tennessee, is the general manager of the Diamonds.

Fekete, who completed her UT career in 2006, played three seasons with the NPF's Philadelphia Force.

"As a female, there aren't a lot of opportunities to play team sports after college," Fekete said Tuesday. "Tennis players and golfers can make a living, but there's not a lot of opportunities for females in team sports to make a living. This is an opportunity for females to make a living playing softball. To bring pro softball to my hometown is like icing on the cake."

The Diamonds' franchise agreement was finalized Dec. 29, 2009, by the NPF. In the franchise agreement, the Diamonds obtained rights to the roster of the defunct Rockford (Ill.) Thunder, which includes star pitcher Cat Osterman, former Texas and U.S. Olympic player (2004 and 2008).

"I talked to her (Tuesday) morning," Fekete said. "I feel very comfortable saying we will have an opportunity to watch Cat Osterman play in Blount County."

If that happens, fans could see Osterman face former UT pitcher Monica Abbott, who plays for the NPF's USSSA Florida Pride of Orlando, Fla.

Abbott and Osterman are among several players in the NPF who are on the U.S. National team, including pitcher Jennie Finch, who plays for the Chicago Bandits.

"Actually, because softball won't be a part of the Olympics until I think 2016, all the players playing now (in college) are going to have to play somewhere, and it's going to be in this pro league," Fekete said. "The very best softball players will be playing in our back yard. It will raise the level of play in Tennessee and bring national exposure."

Fekete said the Diamonds will probably play at one of the high school fields in Blount County this summer and eventually at the Cal Ripken baseball and softball complex.

Construction on the Ripken complex has not started, and the site has not been chosen.

There is a substantial list of semi-pro basketball and football teams that have failed in Knoxville and the surrounding areas, but Fekete has confidence the Diamonds can thrive in Blount County.

"From my experience, softball has grown tremendously from my freshman year at UT to my senior year, and seeing what the fan base is like, I see no problem getting people to games," Fekete said. "It's staggering to see the number of youths playing softball and baseball. I don't think there will be any open seats."

Fekete said the Diamonds will search for "a premier coach who will set our program apart" from other teams.

Fekete and the Diamonds have the support of UT co-head softball coaches, Ralph and Karen Weekly.

"Ralph and I are excited to welcome a NPF franchise to Knoxville," Karen Weekly said in a press release. "It's important that our outstanding college softball players have the opportunity to continue their careers at the professional level. Our Lady Vol program has enjoyed tremendous fan support, and I'm sure those fans will be thrilled to get behind professional softball as well."

Dave Link is a freelance contributor.