RIPON, Wis. - It's not often that Ripon College gets the opportunity to brush elbows with several professional athletes at one time, but that's just what will happen this weekend at the 2007 National Softball Pro Fastpitch Championship Series in Kimberly, Wis. Ripon head softball coach Kelly Witte will take part in a clinic as an instructor on Thursday, August 23. Witte will be joined by Ripon assistant coach Dennis Lauer and the reigning Midwest Conference North Division Pitcher of the Year, Jen Mueller.

The clinic will also include the coaching staffs from UW-Madison, and UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh and will consist of two sessions. The morning session will be for younger girls, while the older girls will take part in the afternoon session. Witte and her staff will instruct the outfielders during the morning session. Players from the US Olympic softball team, as well as other stand out athletes from the National Pro Fastpitch league will be in attendance during the afternoon and will be available for questions and interviews throughout the day.

"This is an exciting opportunity for me to be surrounded by the talent that will be competing in the Fast Pitch Championships. This will also be tremendous exposure for Ripon College due to the wide fan base that will be attending the event," said Witte.

The NPF Championship will be decided in the tournament beginning Friday and running through Sunday. The tournament consists of four teams, Washington Glory, Akron Racers, New England Riptide, and Rockford Thunder. The tournament is a double-elimination format.