I am a big fan and supporter of the NPF. I have loved the game since I umpired fastpitch travel ball and helped to teach girls and young women the game. And I would do pretty much anything to help the NPF or any of their teams. But there is one thing that bugs me.

This cooperative partnership formed between the NPF and USSSA...what are the details? All we know for sure is that U-Trip got a team, the NPF champs. As a fan, that's all I can find about this cooperative partnership. And that means I have a lot of questions.

If it is a "cooperative partnership", what is USSSA getting besides a team?

The team was handed over free of charge?

Or did it cost what it would have costed me?

What exactly does the NPF get from USSSA? And vice-versa?

I am not a conspiracy guy. I'm not. But if I were, I might keep track of every close call in the Pride's games. I might really examine their strike zones. All of that. However, I don't think the NPF has those intentions. I do not believe that anyone is getting special treatment. But I can see how someone could make that leap.

Now, if I'm wrong and the whole "partnership" is laid out somewhere, I would love to see it. Please send me a link. Until then I have to wonder. What are these two sides getting out of it? In this relationship, partnership is a very scary word. especially with an organization like USSSA. They have a LOT of money. More than their partner, the NPF. Right? So what are we talking about here?

One last thing. I have heard some defend it by saying "well, MLB owns th eBrewers, what's the big deal?" Well, the big deal is that the MLB has all the money and they OWN the Brewers. It is not a partnership.

In this partnership, the USSSA is the one with the money. And as an outside observer and fan, well...it makes my eye twitch, just a little.