SEATTLE (AP) When Kim Ng was named commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League back in April, she knew full well there would be growing pains with getting a pro softball league off the ground for its inaugural season.
A month removed from its inception, though, each of the AUSLs four teams the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts have played games in cities like Wichita, Kansas, and Rosemont, Illinois. As much as players have found themselves on the receiving end of ample support at these contests, so, too, have those working them, Ng said.
Weve had staffers approached by people walking the concourse, people at the games who have given them hugs because they are just so ecstatic to see this league come to fruition, Ng told The Associated Press. I think everyone in softball has been waiting for a league like this for a long time, and I think theyre happy to see it getting the platform it deserves.
AUSL has accumulated over 335,000 followers on social media, as well as receiving more than 33 million views on its videos. The league has sold out nine of its 28 games so far.
The barnstorming format of the AUSL which, with Major League Baseballs continued financial support, will turn into a city-based operation beginning in 2026 has allowed the league to both meet fans where they are at and see which towns might be good long-term fits.
Seattle and Omaha, Nebraska, will host three games this weekend. The visit to Seattle will be a homecoming of sorts for Baylee Klingler of the Blaze. Klingler was an all-conference infielder for the University of Washington, and has played for a couple other pro softball leagues. She considers it quite the privilege to play in the AUSL.
The goal was always college and playing for Team USA, Klingler said of her childhood. And now that we have the opportunity to train for a major league environment, I think its so huge, and its only going to make softball better. I think its amazing.
Klingler didnt have any pro softball player role models she could look up to as a kid. To be one for the next generation of softball players is something she takes great pride in. She has already regularly felt plenty of love after a month of contests.
Every game has been packed, and the amount of little girls who are there cheering us on its cool to know at the very least they know that professional softballs a thing, Klingler said.
Of course, the upstart league hasnt been without its challenges. As Ng noted, ramping up the AUSL from a one-market to a 12-market operation has required clear communication from all involved to overcome some of the high-class problems involved with the new venture.
Ng said there’s going to be some oversights at times with a project of this size.
But, nothing that we couldnt overcome,” she said.
Ahead of the league expansion, the AUSL has marketed itself in host cities in myriad ways.
Little League tournaments have provided frequent stopping points, as have trips to local college and university softball events. The AUSLs ticket sales staff has also reached out to all of the local softball league teams. From Ngs perspective, this methodical approach has paid dividends.
As for where the AUSL goes from here, the hope is that expanding to a city-based operation turns out to be a wise decision. The league, after all, is still in its infancy.
But from Klinglers standpoint, the time is now for the AUSL. And who could blame her for such a sentiment, considering the countless fans who have already made her feel so appreciated.
Im super excited. I have high hopes that in four or five years, this is going to blow up into a different entity than it is now, Klingler said. So, the more people we get on board now, the better. But yeah, Im super stoked and excited to be a part of it.
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AP Softball: https://apnews.com/hub/softball