Tony Reagins, Major League Baseball’s evp of baseball and softball development, said MLB saw potential in Athletes Unlimited almost two years ago, but wanted to get to know its leadership and get a sense of whether or not it was built for longevity—which had been an issue for professional softball leagues in the past.
“We got to know Athletes Unlimited and their leadership over the last couple of years, and had great conversations in terms of long term vision—the creativity behind the league, in terms of highlighting the players, getting the players involved, both on and off the field, in a significant and meaningful way—and it started to make sense that this organization was going to be around and that would be a great and viable partner for Major League Baseball,” Reagins said.
In 2024, Reagins and the rest of MLB would be greeted at Athletes Unlimited by a host of familiar faces. AU brought in former Miami Marlins GM Kim Ng as an advisor and surrounded her with a team of advisors that included ESPN announcer, Olympic gold medalist, and former New York Mets executive Jessica Mendoza; Olympic gold medalist and former AU pitcher Cat Osterman; Olympic gold medalist and national champion Natasha Watley; and Olympic gold medalist and national champion Jennie Finch—whose name gave AU’s softball stadium in Rosemont its home address on Jennie Finch Way.
This year, Ng—who served as MLB’s svp of baseball operations from 2011-2020—was named the AUSL’s first commissioner. Just ahead of the AUSL’s Opening Day on June 7 and amid the NCAA Women’s College Softball World Series from May 29 to June 5 or June 6, baseball has the opportunity to give professional softball an assist, just as the sport as a whole is gaining momentum.
“This partnership allows girls to aspire to be the next Jennie Finch and to be the next Natasha Watley, and that’s what’s exciting for us,” said MLB CMO Uzma Rawn Dowler.
The riseball pitch
As both Major League Baseball and the AUSL are aware, softball’s heroes aren’t just ambassadors or advisors: They’re the players young athletes are watching now.