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Shanna Diller Wins NPF Title With Rockford Thunder
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Former Illini Shanna Diller with the Cowles Cup after winning the NPF championship with the Rockford Thunder.
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Aug. 28, 2009
Former Fighting Illini Shanna Diller (2005-08) helped the Rockford Thunder earn the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Championship title last weekend, as the Thunder defeated the USSSA Pride 2-0 in the final game of the weekend on Sunday, Aug. 23. Pitcher Cat Osterman was named series MVP, striking out 26 batters and giving up just four hits last Sunday. Diller played 3rd base during the series and had one single in six at-bats.
During the semifinals against the Akron Racers, Diller had a homerun and two doubles. Throughout her season with the Thunder, Diller racked up a .238 batting average and led the team with 18 RBIs.
Fightingillini.com caught up with Diller as she returned to Champaign and the DIA this week to resume her current position as a Graduate Assistant working with Varsity "I".
How does it feel to be able to continue playing softball after college?
"It's an opportunity that only about a hundred girls get to do, playing in the pro leagues, so it's a huge accomplishment in itself. In a lot of female sports when you're done playing you kind of get to a point where you don't really know what to do, so it was an awesome opportunity for me to be able to continue playing. It's a lot different from college where the seasons are basically year-round, as now I only play for a three-month period. But it's definitely fun to go back and play the sport I love."
Give us a little background info on the NPF for those who aren't familiar
"Pro softball has been around for about 15 years, but this league has only been around for six years. It's still kind of developing, and each year it gets better and better in terms of fans, support and financially. There were six teams last year, and this year there were only five because one team had to drop out. They are hoping to get more teams next year. Each team has a roster of about 16 players. There are a lot of Olympians and national team players who play, and you have to be graduated from college to play. The league is all over the country, mainly in the Midwest and East Coast. There are teams out of Chicago, Akron, Philadelphia, and then there was a team out of Kissimmee, Florida this year, and then us out of Rockford. The women in the league are anywhere from the age of 22 to probably 30."
What was it like to win the NPF Championship?
"It was definitely a huge accomplishment. We lost our first game in the championship series so we knew we had to win double-header games that day. When we had the lead, we were still nervous because it was so close. It was definitely an awesome experience playing with girls who all truly love the game and want to keep playing. We don't make a lot of money but we're there because we love it and because we all have a common goal. To play at that level, playing next to Olympians and national team players and to realize that you are on a team with the best in the world is definitely an amazing feeling."
What are some of your best experiences playing for the NPF?
"It's a huge adjustment. Not only is the pitching top-notch, but every player in every position is the best in the country, so balls that would be hits in college are no longer hits. You know that you have to be at your best every game. As far as memories, being able to have a fun summer, traveling to all these different locations, the fan support you get, and the fact that in every game you are playing against top-notch players is cool too."
How did you end up playing for the Thunder?
"They actually called my coach (Terri Sullivan) a couple days after the draft in February of my senior year and asked if I wanted to be picked up. They couldn't call me because I was still playing in college. So I played with Rockford after my senior year and they asked me back, so I signed the contract this past January to play with them again this summer. For me, it's nice being so close to home so family and friends can come up and watch me play.
Are you still training year-round?
"I report to Rockford at the end of May and play through the end of August, so it's
basically like a summer job. I work out on my own all year as obviously we can't practice as a team. The nice thing about being on campus and in grad school is that I can go work out with Illinois if I need to, or take some extra grounders or work on my hitting. A lot of times I have to go in and do my own stuff to stay in shape."
How long do you plan on playing professionally?
"I want to play again next summer for sure, but after that I have to go on a year-by-year basis because I do need to get a real job and get out there! It's something that I can only do for so long, so I want to play for as long as I can."
Who is the best softball player you've played with?
"At Illinois, I'd have to say Jenna Hall because she has a lot of heart for the game and she's very smart when it comes to playing. This summer I got to play with pitcher Cat Osterman from Texas, and she plays for the U.S. Olympic team and the U.S. National Team. She definitely dominated the league, and it was a cool experience to play with her."
What about the best player you've faced in the NPF?
"It would have to be Crystl Bustos. She's been on the U.S. National Team for a long time and is basically the best hitter in the world. She played on the Akron Racers this summer and we played them in 13 games. She actually retired right after the game where we beat them. But she's definitely the best hitter I've played against."
For more information on the Rockford Thunder and the NPF, visit http://www.thunderprofastpitch.com.
