The Athletes Unlimited Softball league is about to usher in a new era in professional softball. Debuting Saturday, August 29, AU Softball is revolutionary in many ways without affecting the beauty of the game on the field.

AU is all about the players. With no team owners or coaches, the players are the decision-makers and stakeholders in the league. The players essentially run the league. Players are excited about the long-term ownership possibilities and benefits. These first-year AU players will not be forgotten as the league grows.

Janie Reed

Haylie Wagner

The AU softball league features 56 players comprising four teams playing 30 games. A unique twist is a scoring system similar to fantasy sports. Individual players earn points based on both team wins and individual performance, with the top four players named as captains and drafting the next week’s teams. The leader board will constantly change and the teams will change weekly. The player with the most points in the end will be crowned the individual champion.

Aleshia Ocasio

Caleigh Clifton

The 56 players will include 20 Olympians and other world-class softball players. Players include two NCAA Players of the Year, two Rawlings Gold Glove winners, nine NCAA National Champions, one Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player and players from six National teams.

Nadia Taylor

Emily Crane

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, no fans will be in attendance this season, but AU is bringing the games to fans via ESPN and the CBS Sports Network. Veteran broadcaster Eric Collins will share the booth with former pro player Danielle Lawrie.  Additionally, WAVE.tv will air game highlights, behind-the-scenes videos and other content.

Gwen Svekis

Fan interaction is a huge part of AU Softball and will include the opportunity to predict every play for the chance to win prizes. There will also be virtual autograph sessions. More fan interactive experiences can be had through a paid membership in the Unlimited Club, offering exclusive content, limited-edition merchandise, special offers and other opportunities, including voting on league decisions and game MVPs.

Hannah Flippen

AU will be involved in the community in other ways, too.  These many social initiatives include a partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA, a “Rally the Vote” voter engagement program and an Athletes Causes program that will benefit charities of the players’ choosing equal to 50 percent of their season bonus. The Athletes Causes program includes 26 player-selected community organizations.

Abby Ramirez

Amanda Chidester

Growing the game and interacting with the community is big part of the plan. As role models and leaders, players will engage the next generation of athletes and fans. I’m already seeing AU player jerseys popping up in the area.

While I’d rather be watching games at the ballpark, I’m so excited to have softball back. Several players are either current or former Chicago Bandits, my hometown team in National Pro Fastpitch, while most others have also played in the NPF. I have seen these elite athletes up close for years, and I look forward to seeing them play in this unique format.

Kelly Barnhill

Danielle O’Toole and Coley Ries

— John Wroblewski, online writer