The inaugural Athletes Unlimited softball season is coming to an end, with the last six games of the 2020 campaign. The innovative pro league, which awards points to players based on the individual performances and team results, will crown the individual champion after the season’s final day on Monday, 28 September.
With a total of 24 games played in the season, two-time Olympic medallist Cat Osterman currently leads the individual standings with 1,990 points. The veteran left-hander, who has pitched 55 innings in nine appearances, totalling 84 strikeouts and a 1.02 ERA, is the top candidate to win the inaugural Athletes Unlimited title.
She’s followed by Jessica Warren (1,580 points), Erika Piancastelli (1,510), Aleshia Ocasio (1,508) and Victoria Hayward (1,480). Four of these players come from different countries and territories and have played in WBSC international events: Osterman (USA), Piancastelli (ITA), Ocasio (PUR) and Hayward (CAN).
In all, seven of the top-10 players in the Athletes Unlimited standings have played in WBSC international events -- Sahvanna Jaquish, Haylie McCleney and Janie Reed (all of them playing for USA Softball) complete the list.
Following each weekend, the top four players in the points table participate in a draft, to form the four teams to compete the next weekend, with rosters changing.
Earlier this month in a boost to the new softball league and the sport in general, Athletes Unlimited partnered with The Topps Company to produce the first-ever women’s softball trading card set commemorating the league’s inaugural season.
The entire Athletes Unlimited softball season is being played at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois. All games are being aired by CBS Sports Network and ESPN.
Photo: Athletes Unlimited Twitter
