The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Osterman and Boutelle drafted by National Pro Fastpitch teams
02.16.2006 | Softball
DENVER -- Texas' Cat Osterman and Tina Boutelle were among the 30 senior softball players drafted on Wednesday by National Pro Fastpitch teams during the annual college draft.
Osterman was drafted with the number one overall selection when the Connecticut Brakettes, who will play their inaugural season in the professional league in 2006, chose her. Before the Brakettes joined the NPF this winter, they were annual contenders for the Amateur Softball Association's Women's Major national championship. Osterman was a three-year roster member (2001, 2002 and 2005) of the Brakettes when they competed on the amateur circuit.
Boutelle was taken in the fourth round by the local NPF entry, the Texas Thunder. The Thunder play out of Houston at Big League Dreams, and feature a pair of former Longhorn All-Americans in Christa Williams and Lindsey Gardner.
Alabama pitcher Stephanie VanBrackle was the second pick in the draft by the Philadelphia Force, followed by UCLA third baseman Andrea Duran (Cnnecticut Brakettes), Oklahoma outfielder Kristin Vesely (New England Riptide), Arizona pitcher Alicia Hollowell (Arizona Heat), Michigan pitcher Jennie Ritter (Akron Racers), UCLA catcher Emily Zaplatosch (Texas Thunder), UCLA second baseman Caitlin Benyi (Akron Racers) and Tennessee third baseman Kristi Durant (New England Riptide).
Texas was one of six schools to have two or more players drafted by NPF teams. Tamara Poppe was the last Longhorns to be drafted by an NPF team the New York Juggernaut (now Philadelphia Force) drafted the utility player in 2004.
Per NCAA regulations, Osterman and Boutelle may not sign with their respective teams until the conclusion of the Longhorns season.
Earlier this season, both Boutelle and Osterman were both selected to participate in the Pro Fastpitch X-Treme Tour, which will play selected tournaments on weekends this summer.
The NPF was created in 1997 and has operated under the games Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL).
