When discussing professional sports leagues, undoubtedly the National Football League or the National Basketball Association are among the first mentioned.
But there exists another, lesser-known league — National Pro Fastpitch.
The NPF, formerly known as the Women’s Pro Softball League, is a professional softball league. When its regular season opens on May 31, a flurry of LSU Tiger alumnae will be in the dugouts.
As the LSU softball team sat in Mugshots Bar and Grill on April 14 in Starkville, Mississippi, seniors Kellsi Kloss, Sandra Simmons and Bianka Bell learned their softball careers would continue as the trio were three of 40 softball players selected in the NPF’s annual collegiate draft.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled and happy for Bianka, Kellsi and Sandra, as they have exemplified what it means to be LSU Tigers that play the game the right way,” said LSU coach Beth Torina. “It has been an honor to coach them, and I look forward to watching their careers continue to grow not only as professional athletes, but also amazing young women.”
Kloss was the first LSU player off the board. The Chicago Bandits took her with the No. 17 overall pick.
Simmons’ time came just six selections later at No. 23, when the Akron Racers snatched the infielder.
The Pennsylvania Rebellion selected Bell at No. 36.
Kloss and Simmons will likely join their respective teams when the collegiate softball season concludes. But Bell, at least for this summer, said she will continue playing with USA softball.
Bell and Kloss have grown from rookie sensations into leaders for the team, and they are two of the best hitters in LSU history. Bell is the program leader in home runs with 53, while Kloss sits at third with 36 homers.
Kloss was a first-team All-SEC in 2015 and smashed 13 home runs as a junior.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with this organization, while also being so honored that they believed in me and that I deserved the shot to be a professional athlete,” Kloss said. “It’s humbling to know that I’m going to be surrounded by so many of the athletes that I and so many others have looked up to … I cannot wait to join the team later this summer.”
Simmons has grown into a focal point in the Tigers’ defense. In 2015, she was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team after recording a .975 fielding percentage and notching 333 putouts throughout the year.
She has started all of the 230 games in which she has appeared and has developed as a solid hitter at the plate. Simmons is currently tied for second on the team, maintaining a .339 batting average.
“I would not have had this opportunity without the help of the many teammates and coaches who have spent so much time with us and pushing us to be the very best we can be,” Simmons said. “Through faith and hard work, this moment has been a dream come true and I am so thrilled to have been selected and I cannot wait to play with some of the best softball players in the world.”
Since Kloss and Simmons were drafted by different teams, this season will end an eight-year stretch the duo has played alongside each other. Prior to their arrival at LSU, they were on the same travel softball team together.
They said they have grown close over the years, which makes the separation bittersweet, Kloss said. But she is happy for Simmons and that they will both play at the next level.
“The NPF is an amazing opportunity for so many young women to be role models for so many who play our game,” Torina said. “These women deserve the opportunity to play a professional sport.”