Illinois, Prescott, Arizona, and San Jose, California. In the IWPSA's first season, each team played a 120-game schedule that featured 60 doubleheaders. The fledgling association survived four seasons before lack of funds, high travel costs, and inadequate facilities ultimately led to its demise. Teams Arizona/Phoenix Bird (1976) Buffalo Breskis (1976–79) Chicago Bandits (1976) Connecticut Falcons (1976–79) Michigan Travelers (1976) Pennsylvania Liberties (1976) Santa Ana Lionettes (1976–77) San Diego Sandpipers (1976) San Jose Sunbirds (1976–78); San Jose Rainbows (1979) Southern California Gems (1976) Bakersfield Aggies (1977) St. Louis Hummers (1977–79) Edmonton Snowbirds (1979) New York Adventurers (1979) Championships 1976 Champion: Connecticut Falcons Runner-up: San Jose Sunbirds 1977 Champion: Connecticut Falcons Runner-up: Santa Anna Lionettes 1978 Champion: Connecticut Falcons Runner-up: St. Louis Hummers 1979 Champion: Connecticut Falcons Runner-up: St. Louis Hummers Following the IWPSA In 1982, the National Collegiate Athletic Association began to sanction the Women's College World Series, a move that led to increased participation and exposure for the sport. Internationally, the USA Softball Women's national team won back-to-back gold medals at the 1986 ISF Women's World Championship and the 1987 Pan American Games. The college game also benefited from rule changes enacted in 1987 that increased the game's offensive output and ultimately its popularity. Women's Professional Softball League Former Utah State University softball player Jane Cowles and her collegiate coach, John Horan, developed a plan for a women's professional fastpitch softball league. In February 1989, Cowles introduced a blueprint for the league to her parents Sage and John Cowles, Jr., owners of the Cowles Media Company, who agreed to provide financial backing for the endeavor. Field research and market studies began later that fall and continued to take place into 1993. In January 1994, plans for a barnstorming tour were announced, and 18 months later two teams, the Blaze and the Storm, composed of former collegiate all-stars played exhibition games in cities throughout the Midwest. Eight years of research and planning finally culminated in May 1997, with the Cowles family and title sponsor AT&T Wireless Services launching Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF). The League began with six teams: Orlando Wahoos, Tampa Bay Firestix, Georgia Pride (later the Akron-based Ohio Pride), Carolina Diamonds, Durham Dragons, and Virginia Roadsters. WPF Championships After completing two seasons as WPF, officials changed the name to the Women's Professional Softball League in 1998. The Orlando Wahoos moved to Akron, Ohio and become the Akron Racers, the only