Texas Charge

{{Short description|Women's professional softball team}} {{Infobox softball team | name = Texas Charge | logo = 235px | league = National Pro Fastpitch (former) | division = | location = San Marcos, Texas | stadium = Bobcat Softball Stadium | founded = {{Start date and age|2015|1|8}} | folded = 2017 | nickname = | league_champs = 0 | series = NPF Championship Series | series_champs = | series2 = | series2_champs = | former_names = | former_leagues = | former_ballparks = | colors = | BackColor = | TextColor = | mascot = | owner = Joel Bartsch | management = | general_manager = Scott Smith | coach = Roman Foore | season = | record = | playoffs = | media = | website = | h_title = Home | h_pattern_cap = | h_cap = | h_pattern_la = | h_leftarm = | h_pattern_b = | h_body = | h_pattern_ra = | h_rightarm = | h_pattern_pants = | h_pants = | h_socks = | a_title = Away | a_pattern_cap = | a_cap = | a_pattern_la = | a_leftarm = | a_pattern_b = | a_body = | a_pattern_ra = | a_rightarm = | a_pattern_pants = | a_pants = | a_socks = }}

<ref>{{Cite book |last=G. |first=WELLS, H. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1289483361 |title=WAR OF THE WORLDS. |date=2022 |publisher=WILLIAM COLLINS |isbn=978-0-00-854213-9 |oclc=1289483361}}</ref> The '''Texas Charge''' were a women's professional softball team based in San Marcos, Texas. The team began play as the Dallas Charge as a member of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) with a game on June 3, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/?article_id=2288|title=NPF Announces New Team in Texas for the 2015 Season|publisher=National Pro Fastpitch|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207063217/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/npfnews/?article_id=2288|archivedate=2015-02-07}}</ref><ref name="dmn150602">{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Riddle |newspaper=The Dallas Morning News |publisher=A. H. Belo |location=Dallas, TX |title=Dallas Charge pro fastpitch softball players love the sport, but can't afford to quit their day jobs |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/more-sports/headlines/20150602-dallas-charge-pro-fastpitch-softball-players-love-the-sport-but-can-t-afford-to-quit-their-day-jobs-1.ece |date=June 2, 2015 |accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> They were initially headquartered in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas area, with most home games at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch.

==Seasons== '''Inaugural season'''

When the Dallas team was publicly announced, NPF also revealed its general manager would be Kevin Shelton, who had experience heading the Texas Glory youth program.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Greg Riddle|title=Pro softball league adds Dallas-area team for 2015 season; Kevin Shelton will be general manager|url=http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/01/pro-softball-league-adds-dallas-area-team-for-2015-season-kevin-shelton-will-be-general-manager.html/|website=Dallas Morning News|accessdate=17 May 2015|date=8 January 2015}}</ref> The Charge hired former Olympian Jennifer McFalls to be their first head coach.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Greg Riddle|title=Dallas Charge softball team names Olympic gold medalist Jennifer McFalls, a former Hockaday and Midlothian coach, as team's first head coach|url=http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/01/dallas-charge-softball-team-names-olympic-gold-medalist-jennifer-mcfalls-a-former-hockaday-and-midlothian-coach-as-teams-first-head-coach.html/|website=Dallas Morning News|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=20 January 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126080205/http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/01/dallas-charge-softball-team-names-olympic-gold-medalist-jennifer-mcfalls-a-former-hockaday-and-midlothian-coach-as-teams-first-head-coach.html/|archivedate=26 January 2015}}</ref> Later, Chez Sievers was added as an assistant coach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Longhorn Sievers named to coaching staff of NPF's Dallas Charge|url=http://texassports.com/news/2015/3/5/sb_0305154823.aspx|website=TexasSports.com|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=5 March 2015}}</ref>

Jolene Henderson signed with the Charge in January 2015, becoming their first player.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jolene Henderson Becomes First Player Ever to Sign with NPF Dallas Charge|url=http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209866396|website=CalBears.com|accessdate=13 May 2015|date=27 January 2015}}</ref> Other transactions included signing former Texas Longhorns shortstop Taylor Thom,<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Softball standout Thom signs with NPF's Dallas Charge|url=http://www.texassports.com/news/2015/2/26/SB_0226154002.aspx|website=TexasSports.com|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=26 February 2015}}</ref> and the Charge trading their fourth round pick in the 2016 NPF Draft to the Chicago Bandits for catcher Kaylyn Castillo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Charge trade for veteran catcher Kaylyn Castillo|url=http://hotsportsnet.com/2015/02/04/dallas-charge-trade-for-veteran-catcher-kaylyn-castillo/|website=Heart of Texas Sports Network|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=4 February 2015}}</ref> Later, infielder Natalie Villarreal became the first player from the Dallas area to join the Charge.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Greg Riddle|title=Former Frisco, Texas A&M standout Natalie Villarreal is first Dallas-area player to sign with Dallas Charge pro softball team|url=http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/02/former-frisco-texas-am-standout-natalie-villarreal-is-first-dallas-area-player-to-sign-with-dallas-charge-pro-softball-team.html/|website=Dallas Morning News|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=10 February 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051858/http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/02/former-frisco-texas-am-standout-natalie-villarreal-is-first-dallas-area-player-to-sign-with-dallas-charge-pro-softball-team.html/|archivedate=1 June 2015}}</ref> Then, the Charge signed pitcher Morgan Melloh, who had played the previous three years in the Japan Softball League after spending 2011 and 2012 in the NPF.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Charge Add Veteran Arm with Megan Melloh|url=http://hotsportsnet.com/2015/02/12/dallas-charge-add-veteran-arm-with-megan-melloh/|website=Heart of Texas Sports Network|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=12 February 2015}}</ref> The club then added five-year veteran Angeline Quiocho.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) veteran Angeline Quiocho Signs with Dallas Charge|url=http://dallascharge.com/quiocho-press-release/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=17 February 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051614/http://dallascharge.com/quiocho-press-release/|archivedate=1 June 2015}}</ref> Texas Tech's all-time home run leader, outfielder Mikey Kenney,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kenney Signs Professional Contract With Dallas Charge|url=http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/030415aab.html|website=TexasTech.com|accessdate=14 May 2015|date=4 March 2015|archive-date=20 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520232148/http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/030415aab.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and pitcher Bailey Watts<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Cougar Bailey Watts Signs with Dallas Charge|url=http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/031315aab.html|website=Houston Cougars|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=13 March 2015|archive-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601072205/http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/031315aab.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> were next to join. Texas native and catcher Molly Fichtner,<ref>{{cite web|author1=University of Alabama Athletics|title=Volunteer Assistant Molly Fichtner Signs With NPF's Dallas Charge|url=http://www.rolltide.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/030315aaa.html|website=RollTide.com|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=3 March 2015}}</ref> and pitcher Sarah Purvis<ref>{{cite web|author1=John Kosater|title=Purvis ready for shot at pro softball|url=http://www.macon.com/2015/05/10/3739434/purvis-ready-for-shot-at-pro-softball.html|website=The Telegraph|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=10 May 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> of Georgia Southern were the next additions to the Charge.

Dallas' next signings were international ones. Australian National Team pitcher Vanessa Stokes signed with the Charge. She is the first indigenous softball player ever to pitch for Australia, and the first Australian to sign with the NPF.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Charge Sign Australian National Team Pitcher|url=http://dallascharge.com/vanessa-stokes-press-release/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=4 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522203349/http://dallascharge.com/vanessa-stokes-press-release/|archivedate=22 May 2015}}</ref> Next, the Charge set their sights on Japan. Olympic gold medalist outfielder Eri Yamada, and the Japan League's 2013 and 2014 Catcher of the Year Kazuki Watanabe joined the Charge. Both played with the Chicago Bandits in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japanese Veterans Sign with Dallas Charge|url=http://dallascharge.com/japanese-veterans-sign-with-dallas-charge/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=5 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522203338/http://dallascharge.com/japanese-veterans-sign-with-dallas-charge/|archivedate=22 May 2015}}</ref>

On the domestic front, Dallas next added Texas native and Texas A&M Aggie infielder/catcher Nicole Morgan. Morgan played for the Pennsylvania Rebellion in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Charge Sign Texas Native Nicole Morgan|url=http://dallascharge.com/dallas-charge-sign-texas-native-nicole-morgan/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=12 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522203424/http://dallascharge.com/dallas-charge-sign-texas-native-nicole-morgan/|archivedate=22 May 2015}}</ref> After attending a try out in May 2015, outfielder Brianna Cherry was offered a deal with the team. Cherry was with the Akron Racers in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brianna Cherry Signs with the Dallas Charge|url=http://dallascharge.com/brianna-cherry-signs-with-the-dallas-charge/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=15 May 2015|date=13 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522203414/http://dallascharge.com/brianna-cherry-signs-with-the-dallas-charge/|archivedate=22 May 2015}}</ref> Kathy Shelton, formerly of Baylor and general manager Kevin Shelton's daughter, was next to sign.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Greg Riddle|title=Former McKinney North, Baylor star Kathy Shelton signs with Dallas Charge pro softball team|url=http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/former-mckinney-north-baylor-star-kathy-shelton-signs-with-dallas-charge-pro-softball-team.html/|website=Dallas Morning News|accessdate=17 May 2015|date=15 May 2015}}</ref>

At the 2015 NPF Draft, the Charge drafted several players. In the first round, they selected 3B/C Danielle Henderson (California). She is Jolene's sister. The club then selected utility player Kaitlyn Richardson (Minnesota). In the second round, their only pick was INF/OF Kylee Lahners (Washington). The third round selection was infielder Ashley Burkhardt (Purdue). Dallas was allowed a market pick to select a player from Dallas or who went to a Dallas school. This selection was shortstop Renada Davis (NC State). Round four yielded two picks: SS/2B Kahley Novak (UCF) and RHP/1B Lauren Haeger (Florida). Selected in the fifth round was OF Janie Takeda (Oregon). The sixth and final round had three Dallas picks: RHP/UT Ally Carda (UCLA), OF Kaitlyn Thumann (Baylor), and pitcher Farish Beard (South Alabama).<ref name="2 April 2015">{{cite web|title=Oklahoma's Chamberlain No. 1 Pick in 2015 NPF Draft Presented by Bownet|url=https://nfca.org/index.php/front-page-news/6335-oklahomas-chamberlain-no-1-pick-in-2015-npf-draft-presented-by-bownet|website=National Fastpitch Coaches Association|accessdate=15 May 2015}}</ref> Before opening day, the Charge signed draftees Ashley Burkhardt,<ref>{{cite web|title=Charge Sign Draftee Ashley Burkhardt|url=http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-draftee-ashley-burkhardt/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=29 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051554/http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-draftee-ashley-burkhardt/|archivedate=1 June 2015}}</ref> Kahley Novak,<ref>{{cite web|title=Charge Sign Kahley Novak|url=http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-kahley-novak/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=30 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051552/http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-kahley-novak/|archivedate=1 June 2015}}</ref> Kaitlyn Richardson,<ref>{{cite web|title=Richardson Signs With NPF's Charge|url=http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/052715aaa.html|website=GopherSports.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=27 May 2015|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626141436/http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/052715aaa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Danielle Henderson,<ref>{{cite web|title=Charge Sign Draftee Danielle Henderson|url=http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-draftee-danielle-henderson/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=31 May 2015|date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601051549/http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-draftee-danielle-henderson/|archivedate=1 June 2015}}</ref> and Renada Davis. Other free agents who signed with the Charge included Renee Erwin of West Texas A&M,<ref>{{cite web|title=Charge Sign Texas Native Renee Erwin|url=http://dallascharge.com/charge-sign-texas-native-renee-erwin/|website=DallasCharge.com|accessdate=5 June 2015|date=2 June 2015}}</ref> Nadia Taylor of Texas and Akron Racers,<ref>{{cite web|title=Former UT standout Taylor signs with NPF's Dallas Charge|url=http://texassports.com/news/2015/6/2/SB_0602150559.aspx|website=TexasSports.com|accessdate=5 June 2015|date=2 June 2015}}</ref> and Victoria Valos of George Washington.<ref>{{cite web|title=GW Softball Graduate Victoria Valos Signs with Pro Team|url=http://www.gwsports.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/060315aaa.html|website=GWsports.com|accessdate=5 June 2015|date=3 June 2015|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906051139/http://www.gwsports.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/060315aaa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Charge finished their inaugural season in fourth place at 17-31.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charge Drop Season Finale to Bandits|url=http://www.dallascharge.com/stories_detail.aspx?ID=125|publisher=Dallas Charge|accessdate=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427083428/http://www.dallascharge.com/stories_detail.aspx?ID=125|archive-date=27 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Charge then lost in the 2015 NPF Championship semifinals to the USSSA Pride.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charge Inaugural Season Ends With Loss to Pride in semi-finals|url=http://www.dallascharge.com/stories_detail.aspx?ID=123|publisher=Dallas Charge|accessdate=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427075059/http://www.dallascharge.com/stories_detail.aspx?ID=123|archive-date=27 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''2016 season'''

For the 2016 season, Jennifer Rocha was named head coach succeeding Jennifer McFalls.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jennifer Rocha to Lead the Charge in 2016|url=http://www.dallascharge.com/stories_detail.aspx?ID=115|publisher=Dallas Charge|accessdate=19 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427044706/http://www.dallascharge.com/stories_detail.aspx?ID=115|archive-date=27 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> They ultimately finished in fifth place and missed the playoffs.

'''2017 season'''

The Charge moved to San Marcos for the 2017 season and hired three-time Olympian Crystl Bustos to be their head coach.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Kayla Lombardo|title=Olympian Crystl Bustos named Texas Charge head coach|url=http://www.excellesports.com/news/crystl-bustos-texas-charge-npf/|website=Excelle Sports|accessdate=20 October 2016|date=6 October 2016|archive-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020173518/http://www.excellesports.com/news/crystl-bustos-texas-charge-npf/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In July, with a 10-11 record, the Charge replaced Crystl Bustos with Roman Foore as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bustos Fired, Foore Assumes Helm of Charge|url=https://just-in-justinsworld.blogspot.com/2017/07/bustos-fired-foore-assumes-helm-of.html?m=0|website=Justin's World of Softball|accessdate=15 August 2017|date=8 July 2017}}</ref> For the second year in a row, they finished in fifth place and missed the playoffs.

In a January 2018 release describing the termination of the Scrap Yard Dawgs' franchise, NPF also indicated that the Charge had been "dismantled after <nowiki>[owner Joel]</nowiki> Bartsch failed to execute an exclusive purchasing option."<ref>{{cite web|title=National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Terminates Houston-Based Scrap Yard Dawgs|url=http://www.profastpitch.com/news/news/?article_id=2983|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201080256/http://www.profastpitch.com/news/news/?article_id=2983|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 1, 2018|website=ProFastpitch.com|accessdate=1 February 2018|date=31 January 2018}}</ref> This was the first official statement by the league about the status of the Charge after the league listed all Charge players as free agents and Justin's World of Softball reported the dissolution of the team in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=NPF'S TEXAS CHARGE DISSOLVED; WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN 2018 SEASON|url=https://justinsworldsb.com/npfs-texas-charge-dissolved-will-not-participate-in-2018-season/|website=Justin's World of Softball|accessdate=1 February 2018|date=14 October 2017}}</ref>

==General managers== * Kevin Shelton (2015-2016) * Scott Smith (2016, 2017)

==All-time head coaches== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2" | # ! rowspan="2" | Name ! rowspan="2" | Term ! colspan="4" | Regular season ! colspan="4" | Playoffs |- ! GC ! W ! L ! W% ! GC ! W ! L ! W% |- |align=center| 1 || Jennifer McFalls ||align=center| 2015 ||align=center| 48 ||align=center| 17 ||align=center| 31 ||align=center| .354 ||align=center| 2 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 2 ||align=center| .000 |- |align=center| 2 || Jennifer Rocha ||align=center| 2016 ||align=center| 50 ||align=center| 20 ||align=center| 30 ||align=center| .440 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| |- |align=center| 3 || Crystl Bustos||align=center| 2017||align=center| 21||align=center| 10||align=center| 11||align=center| .476 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| |- |align=center| 4 || Roman Foore||align=center| 2017||align=center| 29||align=center| 12||align=center| 17||align=center|.308 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| 0 ||align=center| |}

== Season-by-season == {{Start NFL SBS}} |- |align=center|2015 || 17 || 31 || 0 || 4th place National Pro Fastpitch || Lost in NPF Semifinals |- |align=center|2016 || 20 || 30 || 0 || 5th place National Pro Fastpitch || Did not qualify |- |align=center|2017 || 22 || 28 || 0 || 5th place National Pro Fastpitch || Did not qualify |- !Totals || 59|| 89 || 0 |colspan="2"| {{S-end}}

==Final roster before dissolution== {{NPF roster | TeamName=Texas Charge | Pitchers= {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;&nbsp;|Kelsee Selman-Rowe}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;3|Ally Carda}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|12|Dallas Escobedo}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|13|Delanie Gourley}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|16|Jill Compton}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|17|Lauren Haeger}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|18|Nicole Ries}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|27|Emily Vincent}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|44|Brittany Mack-Oates}} (2018)

| Catchers= {{MLBplayer|10|Haley Outon}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|15|Mandy Ogle}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|23|Kristyn Sandberg}} (2018)

| Utility= {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;1|Brittany Gomez}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;7|Koral Costa}} (2019) {{MLBplayer|11|Kylee Lahners}} (2017) | Infielders= {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;5|Renada Davis}} (2017) {{MLBplayer|14|Mysha Sataraka}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|33|Missy Taukeiaho}} (2019) {{MLBplayer|42|Ruby Rivera}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|35|Alisa Goler}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|77|Kelsey Stewart}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|88|Nadia Taylor}} (2018) | Outfielders= {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;8|Haylie McCleney}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|&nbsp;9|Taylor Gadbois}} (2018) {{MLBplayer|20|Brejae Washington}} (2019) {{MLBplayer|26|Bailey Landry}} (2017)

| Draftees= {{MLBplayer||Alyssa Gillespie}} (2017) {{MLBplayer||Haley Chambers-Book}} (2018)

| Head coach= {{MLBplayer||Roman Foore}} | Assistant coaches= {{MLBplayer||Jessica Rogers}} | BC1=#57aa28 | BC2=#00197a | FC1=#FFFFFF | FC2=#FFFFFF | website = http://texascharge.net/team/roster/ | Date=July 31, 2017 }}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.dallascharge.com|Texas Charge official website}} * {{Official website|http://www.profastpitch.com|National Pro Fastpitch official website}}

{{National Pro Fastpitch}}

Category:Softball in Texas Category:National Pro Fastpitch teams Category:Sports in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex Category:2015 establishments in Texas Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 2015 Category:Sports clubs and teams disestablished in 2017 Category:Defunct softball teams in the United States Category:Defunct National Pro Fastpitch teams Category:Defunct sports clubs and teams in Texas Category:2017 disestablishments in Texas Category:San Marcos, Texas Category:Collin County, Texas Category:Women's sports in Texas