Chamberlain and Pendley turn pro

[sybarite]

In their first game against the Dallas Stars tonight, the Pride won 10-2, thanks largely to Shelby.

Lauren had a good opening night with a single in her first at bat, a walk in her second and fourth. In her third at bat, she got under a 3-0 pitch and popped it foul to third. She finished one for two with a run scored and two walks. She was the DP hitting sixth.

Then, there was Shelby. Shelby was the leadoff hitter and played second base. She singled in the first, but didn't get past second. She doubled in the third and scored the first run of the season on a sacrifice fly. She followed a leadoff walk with another double to left center driving in a run. Shelby walked in the sixth. Then, she finished off a rather good night with a two--run single in the seventh. In her first game, she was four for four with a walk, two runs scored, three runs batted in, and two doubles, one to right center and one to left center. Between the two OU players they were five of six, three walks, scored three, drove in three. They were directly responsible for six of the ten runs.

 

[iasooner1]

I hope the OU gals got good contracts!

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Yep, did a little sleuthing and the base for rookies is around 20,000 yr. However there's a wide gap between that and the salary cap that's 150,000.

I'm just guessing here but I'm thinking our two alums mentioned are in the 40 to 50K range based on their stellar college credentials.

What say you Syb or Plaino?

 

[Plainosooner]

The article I saw on salary was a year old. Most players are making $5000 to $6000 for the season, which lasts three months, plus a month of training camp. I'm guessing about 20 players per team with a $150,000 salary cap, there isn't a lot to go around.

This is one of those start up leagues that is going to rely on tv money. My understanding is that a couple of the teams can be seen online, and that the post season will be televised. But otherwise, good luck.

When I was a kid, my favorite player was Elroy Face, a relief pitcher for the Pirates. In 1959, he went 18-1 and a year later was a major factor when Pittsburgh upset the Yankees to win the 60 World Series in seven games. In the off season, he was a carpenter, because his salary wasn't enough to pay the bills.

So these women can't live on what they'll make playing softball. The USSSA team that the two Sooners are playing for, is kind of like the San Francisco Bay Area Bombers, that was sort of the national home team fro Roller Derby 60 years ago, though that was more like pro wrestling than a real sport. But they did have tv.

I suspect Chamberlain and Pendley will make about ten grand a year, at this point, which isn't horrible for three or four months of work. But they better have great off season jobs, which when you're only available eight months, might be challenging to come by.

Their games are played in three or four game series, only once a week, they they play games half the week. Might be like the summer jobs Bomar and Quinn had a decade ago, except they wouldn't lose eligibility. Their games will be less attended than at OU and fewer on tv.

I'd think if the league were truly going to make it, they'd need to do what the NBA did for their first 15 to 20 years, placing players on teams by geography. It didn't help competitive balance, but if Chamberlain was playing in Dallas, closer to her college years, or in Cali, where she grew up, more people might be interested in watching her play. Florida is the last place where she'd have any drawing power.

I'd expect this to last about as long as the USFL.

 

[mcbrider]

Looks like that low wide stance worked out well for Chamberlain and Pendley against the Dallas pitcher. Must not have had much of rise ball.

 

[sybarite]

Apparently, the pro players average about $5000 for the three month season, although the site that I read indicated that some team's salaries may total $150,000. I don't think any team has thirty players. So, some incomes must be higher. Most players have housing provided by the team. Any royalties or endorsements belong to the players. Some players do have percentages of ticket sales, etc., in their contracts.

All in all, they would probably make a lot more as a coach.

 

[Soonersincefitty]

Yeah, thanks.
Is it also true that the gals could make 50 to 60K a year on a corporate team in Japan?
Also, I read that they lost some street cred when the Olympics dropped softball back in 2008 as I recall.

 

[seniorsooner]

Since my Cincinnati Reds suck, the Las Angelas Griffens are through for the season and the Philadelphia Sooners haven't started yet; the USSSA Pride is my favorite pro team. Kalaunie Ricketts and Kat Ostermann are two of their pitchers.