Abbott’s contract draws attention
Pitcher Monica Abbott, a member of the Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs of National Pro Fastpitch, recently signed the largest contract in league history. Abbott’s contract for the 2016 season totals $1 million.
Emma Johnson works as an accountant for Ernst & Young in Columbus, Ohio, and is able to play in the NPF through an arrangement with the company.
The biggest news in the offseason for National Pro Fastpitch had nothing to do with the draft or the expansion of one more team, the Houston Scrap Yard Dawgs.
It had something to do with what the Dawgs’ ownership did: sign star pitcher Monica Abbott to a $1 million contract, the largest in league history.
Just like that, the Scrap Yard Dawgs went from newbie to favorite to win the NPF Championship series.
“It only takes one person to do something (significant),” said Haylie Wagner, a left-handed pitcher for the Rebellion in her second season with the NPF. “What she did will open up doors not just for softball but all women’s sports. I’m super excited to see where it goes from here and see how women sports expands. It’s definitely a big number, just like when baseball had it’s first million-dollar player (Nolan Ryan in 1979). It was probably a shock then but this is so great for women’s sports.”
Abbott, a 30-year-old left-handed pitcher who most recently played for the Chicago Bandits, can hit speeds into the low 70s with her fastball, unreachable by most NPF pitchers or even national team members, and has great control. She can make the difference in a 50-game season between finishing last in a sixth-team league or being the top seed in the championship series that will be played in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Aug. 19-23.
Her contract over the three-month season is unique. Abbott reportedly will make a regular salary of $20,000 per season to fit into the league’s salary cap of $150,000 per team. Abbott can make the remainder of her money – estimated at $150,000 per season – by reaching easy bonus incentives triggered by attendance figures of certain games – home and away – that reach 100 fans. Here’s the best part: she doesn’t have to be pitching in those games, just be in the dugout.
“In my mind, it represents an opportunity for the younger players in our game,” Abbott told ABC news. “The pro league, it’s continued to grow year in and year out. And even with my Bandits teammates, we were constantly talking about creating a future for the next generation. For me, that’s what I see in this deal.”
Rebellion general manager Steve Zavacky said he feels this is a move to bring NPF closer to other professional leagues.
“From a team and management standpoint, we’re trying to show that this league is right up there with the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball and the WNBA,” said Zavacky. “It’s a big step for the league. Hopefully, the league will grow to support that contract and other contracts like that. From a player’s standpoint, it might open their eyes to where they say, ‘OK, there might be other opportunities out there.'”
Abbott went 13-1 with a 0.31 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 149 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings last season in leading the Chicago Bandits to the NPF title. Now, the Scrap Yard Dawgs, who are owned by a conglomerate of Texas families who also own the NPF’s Dallas Charge, have the best pitcher in NPF and best chance to win.
Abbott shared the title of top pitcher with Cat Osterman of the USSSA Pride, but Osterman retired following last season, leaving Abbott the undisputed No. 1.
The Rebellion could see Abbott for the home opener June 5 at Consol Energy Park. The Rebellion open the season Tuesday against Akron in York.
“I think it’s a proud moment for National Pro Fastpitch,” league commissioner Cheri Kempf told ABC news. “But I think it goes further than that. I think it’s a proud moment for women in professional sports in this country. I feel glad that it’s happening in the league. I’m glad that we’re going to lead the way, in some respects.”
Most NPF players will never see a contract of Abbott’s value, mainly because the marketing of the teams and league and the attendance figures are not to the level of other pro leagues. But some believe it might lead to other benefits.
“My first reaction was, ‘Wow, that’s a lot of money,'” said Emma Johnson, a right-handed pitcher for the Rebellion. “I think it’s great because it gave us attention across the nation. The women’s national soccer team is making a campaign for equal pay and that’s another step forward.”
Johnson is an accountant for Ernst & Young in Columbus, Ohio, and can play for the Rebellion through the flexibility allowed by her employer, a rarity in the sport. She hopes one day to see NPF salaries rise to a point players can make this a year-round job.
“If (salaries) were $35,000 or $40,000 year-round, I think we all would do it,” said Johnson. “I have a second job and I would drop that in a heartbeat if I could afford to do this all year. My clients (at Ernst & Young) are in the winter, and I don’t have any in the summer so they let me off. I was really lucky. It’s unusual.”
Many players supplement their income by coaching in college. The two slow months in that profession are June and July, when the bulk of NPF games are played.
“(Abbott’s) contract definitely will open doors to make more money off it and not have to have a second job,” said Emily Weiman, a right-hander for the Rebellion who is a coach as East Carolina. “It works out really well for those who do play and coach in college. That job works out for us, but for Emma, it’s hard. If we could have only one job, that would be amazing.”