Special Edition:

Launched in 2020, AU softball was the debut sport in the now four-sport Athletes Unlimited network (which also includes lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball). The player-centric AU format features athletes competing fantasy-style to accrue individual points. That’s right, the winner is an individual player, not a team.

• Rather than the traditional, city-based, team-focused format, all the action takes place in one spot for a five-week softball season that showcases 60 athletes.

• Team rosters change from week-to-week with top-performing players becoming captains who draft new teammates each week. Major kickball energy.

Plus, on the heels of a successful two-week AUX softball season in June, this AU softball season will fill the Olympic-sized void as fans impatiently wait for the sport to return to the Games at LA 2028.

• It’ll also be the first AU softball season since the June announcement of AUSL, a traditional four-team, 30-game season set to launch in 2025. Truly cannot wait.

The season consists of 30 mostly weekend games, running from tonight through August 25th. Each week features six games, with players re-drafted week-to-week as chosen by the four (rotating) team captains.

• How are the captains chosen? The top four points earners from the previous week receive the honor, giving them the opportunity to select the most competitive team and, in turn, bag even more points.

Speaking of, players can earn points in three ways: win points (for both individual inning and game wins), Game MVPs (as voted by the players), and individual stats like home runs and stolen bases.

• At the end of the five weeks, the player with the most cumulative points is crowned champion. Every moment counts, literally.

Odicci Alexander, pitcher: The reigning AU softball champ, Alexander’s ready to defend her crown after unexpectedly finishing last in June’s AUX softball season. Don’t let that lackluster performance fool you, though — Alexander set a single-season points record in 2023, posting a dominant 2.15 ERA along the way. Lights out.

Skylar Wallace, infielder: Fresh off a historic college career, this Florida Gator is chompin’ at the bit for her pro debut. The 2023 NFCA Division 1 Player of the Year, Wallace is the all-time leader in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage for the famed Florida program — expect more eye-popping numbers as she transitions to AU.

Valerie Cagle, pitcher: Cagle was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 AU draft class, and for good reason. A two-way star, the Clemson Tiger was the 2023 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and D1Softball Player of the Year after getting it done in the circle and at the plate. Get you a player who can do it all.

Sydney Romero, infielder: One half of softball’s beloved Romero sisters, Sydney continues to slay the sport as both a pro player and an assistant coach with the Oregon Ducks. Now entering her fourth AU season, watch for the two-time NCAA champ to keep climbing the leaderboard standings following last year’s sixth-place finish.

It all begins from Rosemont, Illinois, this afternoon with a can’t-miss ESPN2 doubleheader pitting Team Svekis against Team Denham at 7 p.m. ET followed by Team Alexander vs. Team Romero at 9:30 p.m. ET.

• ESPN networks will be your go-to for the majority of the season, leading up to the August 25th Week 5 finale that will air on ESPNU. Play — and we cannot stress this enough — ball.