The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is back and better than ever for its second season, and this time, it's all about hometown pride. After a debut year that saw teams tour from city to city, the league is shifting to a traditional model with fixed locations—a move that has players like Kinzie Hansen-McKinzie buzzing with excitement.
"That's going to be so fun because then you can establish fans that can keep coming back," said the 24-year-old Oklahoma City catcher, who's eager to build a loyal following in her home market. And with six teams now in the mix, there's plenty of action to rally behind.
Returning squads include the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Utah Talons, and Texas Volts, while two expansion teams—the Oklahoma City Spark and Portland Cascade—join the lineup. The venues are a mix of minor league baseball parks and softball-specific fields, all chosen to maximize fan engagement and community connection.
"We wanted all of our markets to be softball strong, as well as hospitable to women's sports," said AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng, the former Miami Marlins general manager. "I would expect somewhere in the next three-to-five years we'll be in, say, a couple of bigger metro areas."
With Major League Baseball investing in Athletes Unlimited last year—which also runs pro basketball and volleyball leagues—the momentum is undeniable. CEO Jon Patricof sees a fast track to greatness: "We really see the Olympics and then the years right after that as being the time we're shooting for to reach major league status."
Each team will field a 16-player roster, with a league-wide reserve pool ready to step in for injuries. Training kicks off May 27 in Vero Beach, Florida, followed by 25 regular-season games per team from June 9 to July 20. The top three squads advance to the playoffs: the second and third seeds face off in a knockout game on July 23 in College Station, Texas, with the winner taking on the top seed in a best-of-three championship series starting July 25 at Davis Diamond.
Fans won't miss a moment, with 51 games airing on ESPN platforms and 20 more on other networks. Whether you're cheering from the stands or sporting your team's gear, this season promises to be a home run for softball lovers everywhere.