The league , formerly known as the Women 's Pro Softball League , has been in existence since 1997 and has teams in Akron , Ohio ; Chicago ; Houston ; Lowell , Mass . ; Tucson , and Hempstead , N.Y. Mr. Baird said the league featured many of the best players to come out of college , including Jennie Finch , the 2004 Olympic gold medalist pitcher who signed with the Chicago Bandits .