AU Pro Softball Returns to Chicago for its Fifth Championship Season Beginning July 26

Defending champion Odicci Alexander and 2021 champion Aleshia Ocasio will lead a world-class roster of softball stars set to compete in the fifth championship season of Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball, which will take place July 26 through Aug. 25. The five-week season features 60 of the best softball players in the world including Olympians, National Champions and All-Americans. All games will be played at The Stadium at Parkway Bank Sports Complex, in Rosemont, Illinois, the first professional sports venue dedicated solely to women’s professional sports in the United States. 

The sport of softball was founded in Chicago in 1887 and to commemorate AU Pro Softball’s five-year commitment to Chicago through 2028, AU is releasing a new campaign, titled “Softball is Home.” The campaign will launch on May 16 with Alexander, Alyssa Denham, Amanda Lorenz, and Tori Vidales appearing alongside ESPN on-air talent and Chicago native Sarah Spain in Chicago’s Daley Plaza. Fans will see a new TV spot as well as outdoor and digital advertising throughout the Chicago area over the coming months leading into the season.

Season tickets and single-day tickets are available now. Fifteen AU Pro Softball championship games will be available live exclusively on ESPN platforms. The full schedule for the 2024 AU Pro Softball championship season, along with the remainder of the 60-player roster and further distribution details will be announced at a later date. 

AU Pro Softball will look to add to the roster by drafting 15 of the top NCAA players in the 2024 Softball College Draft airing Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 pm ET on the @AUProSports YouTube channel. Those drafted will be invited to join contracted returnees and free agents in the 2024 AU Pro Softball Championship Season. 

After claiming the 2023 Championship Season title, Alexander will attempt to become the first-ever Athletes Unlimited softball player to win back-to-back individual titles. During her run to the 2023 title, she set single-season records in total win points (1,390) and inning win points (790). The former three-time NFCA All-America pitcher helped guide James Madison to its first-ever Women’s College World Series (WCWS) appearance, in 2021.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to defend my title with Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball and play alongside the best players in the world,” said Alexander. “AU has been a catalyst for the tremendous growth of softball, both on and off the field, and its recent five-year commitment to play in the Chicago area will ensure that professional softball will continue to thrive.”

Ocasio is one of the founding players of Athletes Unlimited and has been a consistent threat in the circle, tallying 97 strikeouts across four seasons. While at the University of Florida, she earned NFCA All-America honors in 2015 and 2016 and led the Gators to the 2015 National Championship. She is a three-time Pan American Games medalist representing Puerto Rico.

Denham became the first player in Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball history to earn medalist recognition in back-to-back seasons, after placing second in the 2022 and 2023 Championship Seasons, respectively. While at Arizona, she amassed a record of 52-18 across 93 appearances; highlighted by NFCA Third-Team All-America honors in 2021.

Danielle Gibson has skyrocketed up the leaderboard over the past two Championship Seasons. After placing 18th in her inaugural season, she earned the third-place medal during the 2023 Championship Season, totaling 1,822 leaderboard points. While at Arkansas, Gibson became the second-ever player in NCAA Division-I history to hit for the home-run cycle during a 2019 game against SIU-Edwardsville. 

“We are thrilled to extend our commitment to Chicago for the next five years, and look forward to an intense competition featuring the world’s best athletes this summer,” said Cheri Kempf, Senior Vice President and Director of Softball for Athletes Unlimited. “Fans coming to Rosemont and tuning in on ESPN platforms will be treated to the very highest level of competition this amazing sport has to offer.” 

The 2024 AU Pro Softball Championship Season roster features numerous Athletes Unlimited veterans, including outfielders Aliyah Andrews, Amanda Lorenz, Haylie McCleney and Morgan Zerkle, infielders Sis Bates, Andrea Filler, Hannah Flippen, Sydney McKinney, Sierra Romero and Sydney Romero, pitchers Rachel Garcia, Kathryn Sandercock and Taylor McQuillin and catchers Mia Davidson, Taylor Edwards and Gwen Svekis. 

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to remove Baylee Klingler from the list of players competing in the 2024 AU Pro Softball Championship season. Klingler will only compete at the AUX in Wichita, Kansas.