[7][8] In 1980, three teams, the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears, the Milwaukee Schlitz and the Cleveland Stepien's Competitors broke away to form the North American Softball League (NASL) under the leadership of Ted Stepien, who owned 6 of the 8 teams in the league (only Fort Wayne and Milwaukee had non-Stepien ownership), while the APSPL continued with just 6 teams.
[12][13][14] Salts part-owner AJ Kalil had paid a $25,000 entry fee for the league but ended up resigning as team President in June, turning over the role to part-owner Peter Silvanic, father of catcher-pitcher-part owner Tom Silvanic.
[16] The Kentucky Bourbons would win the 1981 UPSL World Series 5-3 over the New England Pilgrims.
[18] Joe Costello, a former San Francisco Giants farm-hand who had made it as high as the Triple-A Phoenix Giants, was a late addition to the club and brought pro softball experience having played previously for the Rochester Zeniths.
[19][20] Fellow former minor league baseball player Ed Ricks, who had made it as high as Triple-A with the Syracuse Chiefs,[21][22] also played for the Salts, while outfielder Mike Ondrako and catcher Gary Duncan helped to lead over-matched Syracuse.