The 2011 NPF Season: Watch professional softball online this summer

We’re finding ourselves spending a lot more time around the computer screen this summer, thanks to National Pro Fastpitch’s online broadcasts.

The NPF is providing streaming video and live stats for all of its games this season. You can take a look at their broadcast schedule here. (Note: All times are local.)

You can also download the league schedule in PDF form here:

For those unfamiliar with the NPF, it’s a four-team softball league that features some of the legends of American softball. Players like Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, Natasha Watley, Jessica Mendoza, Lauren Lappin and Caitlin Lowe are all on NPF rosters.

It’s a league built around a fan-friendly atmosphere, and one of its major goals is to get youngsters interested in softball. It’s not uncommon to see players stick around, sign autographs and chat with fans after games.

There are franchises in Akron, Chicago, Nashville and Kissimmee, Fla. The league also plays games in other areas of the country and has a series planned for Canada this season.

If you’re nearby and would like to check out a game in person, you can purchase tickets here.

Related: Here’s more on the history of the league, which has been around since 1976.

Softball tips: Cat Osterman’s keys to a good wrist snap

While a lot of folks concentrate on pitch speed, Cat Osterman likes to focus on movement.

In this short video, the Team USA pitcher shares her pitching philosophies, including her tips to getting a good wrist snap and getting the best possible movement on your pitches.

Related: Step up your game with our selection of softball pitching aids.

Softball tips: Cat Osterman explains finger placement

It’s important to get a good grip. Really important.

In this video produced for Stack TV, former Texas pitcher Cat Osterman explains the importance of finger placement and using the seams to not only drive your ball, but improve accuracy and spin too.

Related: Check out Wilson’s A2000 Cat Osterman Softball Glove.

Big matchups on tap for 2010 National Pro Fastpitch schedule

National Pro Fastpitch announced its 2010 game schedule late last week, which you can view here.

Four teams will compete in the NPF this season: The 2009 champion Chicago Bandits, the Florida Pride, the Akron Racers and the newly-formed Tennessee Diamonds. Each team will play a 50-game season, beginning June 9.

The regular season concludes on August 22, and the league championship series is slated for August 26-29 in Sulphur, La.

The schedule has plenty of big matchups in the making. After all, each roster is essentially an all-star team of college softball players.

The Akron Racers have Angela Tincher, Crystl Bustos and Sam Banister on the squad. The Florida USSSA Pride include Monica Abbott and Caitlyn Lowe. The Chicago Bandits’ roster features household names like Jennie Finch and Vicky Galindo, and softball superstar Cat Osterman leads the Tennessee Diamonds.

Basically, watching NPF is like watching some of the biggest names in softball duke it out.

MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, plans to broadcast several games online this season. They are expected to announce a broadcast schedule in the coming weeks. We’ll post the news when they release it.

Click here to see the complete NPF season schedule.

Related: Browse our selection of Jennie Finch softball equipment.