Another pro team bites the dust. The Pennsylvania Rebellion have folded their NPF franchise after three seasons in the league. The team's players were notified in an email by NPF commissioner Cheri Kempf on Sunday, January 15, that their contracts with the Washington, Pennsylvania-based Rebellion are void and they are now free to sign with any of the league's five remaining teams.

The Rebellion had a combined record of 42-104 from 2014-16. They competed in the 2014 Championship Series but failed to qualify for postseason play in the past two years.

A current NPF player told FloSoftball, "There were rumors going around and thoughts that this was going to occur. But when the trades went down the day before we thought the team was coming back."

No explanation or statement has been given by the Pennsylvania Rebellion's owner or general manager as to why the franchise is shutting down.

"We appreciate the participation of the Rebellion over the past three seasons of NPF action," Kempf said in an NPF release on Monday. "Women's professional sports remains a pioneering endeavor that includes challenges, and we understand the Rebellion ownership's decision to not pursue a franchise purchase at this time."

"On that same note, the league is grateful for the owners and teams that continue to forge the path of securing this sport at the professional level. We are making positive gains and are confident of the difference this will make in the future careers of young softball players throughout the world."

Since 2004, 14 pro teams have tried and failed to sustain a pro fastpitch team.

"The league has been around for a little over 10 years," the player said. "I understand that this comes with growing pains and it's a growing process with any league looking at the WNBA and Women's soccer. They all go through it."

With such a high failure rate, why do players stay in the league?

The player said, "It's hard to say no to a sport that you've been playing for 20 years of your life. It's hard to give it up. And when you get paid to do it…Why not?"

The dream of a professional softball career is alive and well. Many players believe the sacrifice is necessary for a brighter future for women in sports.

"I didn't know that there was a professional league until my later part of college," the player said. "The fact that these little girls that are coming clinics and camps already know that there's a professional league. We're doing something right."

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