What to know about the OKC Spark's inaugural softball season
Professional softball is here in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City Spark, one of four teams in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch league, begins its inaugural season Thursday night at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond. With a roster featuring several fan favorites from OU and Oklahoma State, the Spark is hosting the Alabama-based Smash It Sports Vipers in a three-game series this week.
Here’s what to know for opening day:
Ticket information
Tickets are available at okcspark.com, and they’re going quickly.
The Thursday and Friday games are already sold out, but Saturday tickets are listed as available. Tickets are also listed for the Spark’s home series against the USSSA Pride, which starts next week.
After playing the first six games of the season at UCO, the Spark will move to USA Hall of Fame Stadium, home of the Women’s College World Series. Hall of Fame Stadium tickets are available starting at $15 for single games and $180 for the full season.
More: Carlson: Appreciate what this OU softball team accomplished because it's 'totally bananas'
How to watch
If you can’t catch the Spark in person, you can tune in to the live broadcasts.
Streaming subscriptions are available for $49.99 at wprofastpitch.com. This Dugout Pass offers access to live broadcasts of every WPF matchup this season, and viewers can rewatch games. With a Dugout Pass, wprofastpitch.com/tv is accessible from anywhere, according to the WPF website.
Local ties
From organization leaders to star players, the Spark is rich with Oklahoma ties.
For starters, OU great Lauren Chamberlain is the commissioner of the entire league. Spark general manager/owner Tina Floyd hails from Tuttle, and OU alumna Amber Flores is coaching the team.
Then there’s the roster, which is like a reunion of Sooner superstars.
Jocelyn Alo, college softball’s home-run record-holder, has signed with the Spark. Keilani Ricketts and Lynnsie Elam have also joined the team. And Alex Storako and Haley Lee, fresh off a Women’s College World Series title with OU, are staying in Oklahoma to play for the Spark, too.
These Sooners are joining forces with two Oklahoma State alumnae: Chelsea Alexander and Rylee Bayless.
Chenise Delce, Sydney Sherrill and Emily Watson also add local flair to the Spark. Carl Albert graduate Delce starred at Arkansas, while Southmoore High School graduate Sherrill had a notable career at Florida State. Watson, who went to Deer Creek High School, was a standout University of Tulsa pitcher.
More: Is the 2023 OU softball team the best in NCAA history? Patty Gasso's Sooners have strong case
What is the WPF?
Created in 2021, the Women’s Professional Fastpitch league is entering its official debut season after one exhibition season. USA Softball, United States Specialty Sports Association and Smash It Sports partnered to establish the league.
The four teams are:
• Oklahoma City Spark
• Smash It Sports Vipers in Oxford, Alabama
• Texas Smoke in Austin, Texas
• USSSA Pride in Viera, Florida
The teams will compete against one another throughout the season, which will culminate with an August championship series.
The WPF is distinct from Athletes Unlimited professional softball, which uses an unconventional points-based system and involves players rotating among teams throughout the season. WPF players are chosen by team general managers, and athletes can enter a player pool for draft consideration.
—Hallie Hart, Staff writer
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What to know about the OKC Spark's inaugural softball season
