AKRON, OH – The University of Toledo's head softball coach Kristen Butler was recently named one of Akron Racers' Top 30 players in franchise history. Butler checks in at No. 15 among the team's 30 IMPACT honorees.
 
"There is no hesitation on my part to include Kristen in this amazing collection of IPMACT players," remarked GM Joey Arrietta. "Her superior defensive skills coupled with her enormous offensive output made her as complete a player as you can get at this level."
 
The former catcher began her Racers career in 2006, coming out of the University of Florida as an undrafted free agent and immediately made her impact felt both offensively and defensively for Akron. Her offensive numbers speak for themselves, but Butler's aggressive ability to gun down runners trying to steal is where she made her name in a league dominated by the best athletes in the world.
 
During her rookie campaign, Butler batted .229 on 27 hits, including five home runs, she also scored 11 runs and drove in 12 RBI, while committing just two errors.
 
Butler elevated her game in her second season, being named All-NPF for the first time in her career in 2007. Butler led or tied the Racers in four offensive categories: slugging percentage (.550), RBI (29), home runs (9) and doubles (5). Her five doubles finished tied for third in the NPF. She finished tied for fourth place in RBI and home runs.
 
In 2008, Butler's defensive prowess was finally recognized as she became the first, and to this date the only, catcher to win the NPF Defensive Player of the Year award. Offensively, Butler led the Racers in hitting with a .317 average, including 39 hits, 10 home runs, 34 RBI and 15 runs scored. Butler played one more season in Akron in 2009, before playing the next two seasons internationally. Subsequently, Butler, played for three seasons, 2012-2014 with the Chicago Bandits.
 
Butler had a .249 batting average on 107 hits, including 16 doubles, 27 home runs, 44 runs and 86 RBI in her four-year career in a Racers uniform. Butler currently ranks second in most home runs and RBI in franchise history.
 
Butler and the other 29 IMPACT honorees will be recognized this summer, culminating in a weekend-long celebration July 15-17 when the Racers welcome the Dallas Charge to Firestone Stadium for a three-game series. The Racers will welcome back many of their former players to celebrate the history of the franchise, culminating in the pre-game presentation of the 30 IMPACT honorees on July 16th. Each honoree will receive a special commemorative jersey bearing their name and number.