Over the last two weeks I enjoyed eight softball doubleheaders and a fantastic closing ceremony of Athletes Unlimited AUX softball. There was a lot of great softball, culminating in Olympian Rachel Garcia crowned as 2023 AUX champ.
Founded in 2020, AU runs four women’s sports leagues, including softball, lacrosse, volleyball and basketball. In the unique scoring system of AU, players earn points for individual stats and team performances. Teams are redrafted every week. Instead of a championship team, there is one individual champion based on these points. Players also earn bonuses based on performances, with part of that bonus going to a charity of their choice.
AUX is an abbreviated version of the 15-game regular AU softball season. In its second season, AUX moved to Rosemont, Illinois, from San Diego, California. Already holding the previous three AU softball seasons, Parkway Bank Sports Complex hosted AUX, much to the delight of area fans, including me.
Rachel Garcia, Aubrey Leach, Mia Davidson and Jessi Warren. Photo credit: Jade Hewitt Media – Athletes Unlimited.
My friend Tony and I had season tickets. Each game day we dined at nearby Maria’s or Murray Bros. Caddyshack before heading to the park. Once there, we went to our front-row seats by the dugout, engaging in occasional chats with players during warm-ups. After the games, there was a casual meet-and-greet with players. Each day was full of delicious food, great friends and elite softball.
With Sam Fischer, Sashel Palacios, Tony Feddeler and Nadia Taylor.
A former star pitcher and hitter at UCLA and a silver medal winner at the 2020 Olympics, Garcia earned the championship as a rare two-way player. Through an interview with Garcia during her Team USA time and other chats with her and her mom, I am impressed with her attitude and maturity. Special on and off the field, Garcia will be a great representative as champ.
Rachel Garcia
I already look forward to AU softball returning for its fourth season starting Friday, July 28. I’ll be back in the front row soaking in every bit of softball action I can get.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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