The Woodlands, TX – January 15, 2016 – The Scrap Yard Dawgs have signed USA Women's National Team standouts Jackie Traina (Alabama), Amanda Chidester (Michigan), and Sarah Nevins (South Florida) for the 2016 NPF season which runs from early June through late August.

The Dawgs are also proud to announce that Traina, Chidester, and Nevins will play with Team USA throughout the 2016 international summer season which runs from mid-June through the third week in July. "This is a very exciting announcement on so many levels. It’s not only good for the NPF, it’s great for the game of fastpitch” says GM Kevin Shelton. “This approach puts the country’s best players back on the same field again, which helps everyone get better.”


Jackie Traina, a Naples, Florida native, became a household name in the softball world during her 2012 NCAA National Championship where she was also named the WCWS Most Valuable Player. Along with her National Championship, she earned four NFCA All-American honors and was also a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year. She has also excelled as a member of Team USA. Her National Team accolades include Silver Medals at both the 2012 & 2014 ISF World Championships and Gold Medals at both the 2012 & 2014 World Cup of Softball. “I am excited to be a part of the Scrap Yard Dawgs and look forward to a great year of NPF softball” says Traina.

I’m also glad to have the opportunity to play in the NPF while continuing to represent my country in international competition.

Amanda Chidester is from Allen Park, Michigan. She had a fantastic career at The University of Michigan where she was the 2012 Michigan’s Big Ten Medal of Honor Winner, a Two-Time Big Ten Player of the Year, and a Two-Time NFCA All-American. During her time with Team USA she has earned two Silver Medals at the ISF World Championships (2012, 2014), a Silver Medal at the 2013 World Cup of Softball, and two Gold Medals at the World Cup of Softball in 2012 and 2014. ”I am really looking forward to coming back to the NPF,” says Chidester. “This is the best competition in the country and I always enjoy the challenge of playing at the highest level.”


A native of Pineallas Park, Florida, Sara Nevins is one of the most accomplished pitchers to play at the University of South Florida. “I think that this is such a great opportunity, to be able to play professionally in the USA and to represent Team USA is going to be incredible,” says Nevins. “I am thankful to both the Scrap Yard Dawgs and The USA Softball Women’s National Team for this wonderful opportunity.” Nevins was the 2013 Big East Pitcher of the Year as well as the 2013 Big East Tournament MVP. She also holds two NFCA All-American honors. Her list of National Team accolades includes a Silver Medal at the 2014 ISF World Championships, a Silver Medal at the 2013 World Cup of Softball, and a Gold Medal at the 2014 World Cup of Softball. During championship play with Team USA she has a 10-0 record with 81 strikeouts in 64 innings of play.


“For the Scrap Yard Dawgs, this obviously makes them more competitive right away” says Shelton. “But much more importantly, it demonstrates their commitment to growing the game for everyone who wants to play.”