Included in this Web Page:

• IWPSA (1976-80)
• WPF (1997-98)
• WPSL (1999-2002)
• NPF (2003- present)

The International Women's Professional Softball Association (IWPSA) was founded in 1976 by former LPGA Tour member Janie Blaylock, softball legend Joan Joyce and tennis icon Billie Jean King. The original league featured 10 teams from cities across the nation, including the Connecticut Falcons, Buffalo Bisons, Chicago Ravens, Michigan Travelers and Pennsylvania Liberties in the Eastern Division. The Western Division was made up from the San Diego Sandpipers, San Jose Sunbirds, Santa Ana Lionettes, Southern California Gems and the Phoenix/Arizona Bird. The Bird started out as the Phoenix Bird then changed their name to the Arizona Bird midway through the season. The St. Louis Hummers joined the league in 1977 along with the Bakersfield Aggies. The other two team expansion teams were the Edmonton Snowbirds and the New York Golden Apples. In the IWPSA's first season, each team played a 120 game schedule that featured 60 double headers. Player contracts ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 per year,. The fledgling association survived four seasons before lack of funds, high travel costs and inadequate facilities ultimately led to its demise. The following decade proved to be extremely prosperous for the sport of fastpitch softball in the United States despite the absence of a professional league. I'd like to personally thank Robert Swisko, who did much of the research o fins this information. He sent the stuff to me and ask me to use it as I see fit. People like Robert make it easy to compile information like this.

IWPSA Playoffs/Championships

IWPSA MVP Award

Note: * Donna Terry also led the league in Home Runs in 1978

IWPSA Annual Standings

Joan Joyce

Joan Joyce's pitching record was 101-15 in her 4 years as a Pro player.

Joan Joyce's Amateur Softball Career
National Softball Hall for Fame in 1983.
Raybestos Brakettes Records Held (as of 1995);
Most consecutive all star team selections (18)
MVP in the National Tournament (8) (tied with one other player)
Most victories in a season (42) (in 1974)
Most no-hit, no-run games in Nationals (2) (in 1958, 1961, 1970, 1973)
Most shut-outs (38) (in 1974)
Longest games (29) innings (in 1968 (1-0) over Perkasie)
Most doubles in a career
Most doubles in a season (22) (in 1968)
Most triples in a career (37)
Highest batting average on team -1960,1962, 1967-69, 1973

All-American Selections
1958 - Utility (2nd team)
1959 - First Base
1960 - Utility
1961 - Pitcher (MVP)
1962 - Pitcher
1963 - Pitcher (MVP)
1964 - First Base
1965 - Pitcher (MVP)
1966 - Pitcher
1967 - Pitcher
1968 - Pitcher (MVP)
1969 - Pitcher
1970 - Pitcher
1971 - Pitcher (Co-MVP), National Batting Champion (.467)
1972 - Pitcher
1973 - Pitcher (MVP)
1974 - Pitcher (MVP)
1975 - Pitcher (MVP)

The Official Raybestos Brakettes Web Site:

Raybestos Brakettes