![](https://images.hive.blog/DQmTDbgsDjmHycEFLkwFZ3wHjSYoaYUQh7U9gQYnfgdGwB4/20251017_181119.webp) ---------------------------- Even though the fourth of July is still over twenty days away, we had plenty of fireworks last night as the AUSL started regular season play. I didn't get to watch the early game where The Blaze took on Carolina, but I did watch the beginning of the 7 PM game when Oklahoma opened a can of pain on Texas. The first run of the game at the hands of Oklahoma via a walk in due to the bases being loaded. Then with the next batter the first hit of the game was a massive grand slam home run that set the tone for the rest of the game. Oklahoma took down Texas 13 to 5, meanwhile in that earlier game Carolina took down their opponent 4 to 1. Finally, in the late game, Chicago was shut down by Utah 5 to 2. While the other games weren't quite as exciting as that middle one, there was still a lot of great softball played. The teams face off again today at 6 PM, 8 PM, and 10 PM respectively. Then more games on June 11th, 13th, 14th, etc. Athletes Unlimited is a pretty innovative organization that is trying to level the playing field between women's sports and men's sports. Currently Athletes Unlimited only has leagues for softball, basketball, and volleyball, but I wouldn't be surprised if that expands in the future. One of the key features of the AU leagues is that players didn't play for a specific team. Instead, there was a new draft each week and players would shuffle around based on the results of that draft. It made for some pretty interesting match ups each week. It also created a more cohesive bond between the players since your bitter rival one week might be your teammate the next. However, with the 2026 softball season they have moved away from the rolling draft format and players will be based on a specific team throughout the season now. In the past it was all based on individual stats and the top players would draft their teammates for the following week. While it might seem counter intuitive to the whole "there is no I in team" mentality, AU is dedicated to celebrating the individual athletes with a player based leader board versus a team based one. One of the key tenants of AU is that they are focused on the health and well being of the athletes, physically, mentally, and financially. Where other organizations are focused solely on how much profit they can make, AU seems to be more about returning those fund to the players. I think it's actually pretty cool that they are coming out with leagues like this to give players the opportunity to play at the next level after their university career is over. ---------- ### [My Sports Account - @bozz.sports](https://www.peakd.com/@bozz.sports) ---------- #### Come hang out in [The Pub](https://peakd.com/c/hive-178138/created) [Find us on Discord](https://discord.gg/cCEMJXAEXk) Or Check out my [Grilling and Smoking Community on HIVE](https://peakd.com/c/hive-138631/created) ------------- ![TEAMUSAhive_footer_bozz.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bozz/fXpCTKUZ-TEAMUSA-hive_footer_bozz.jpg) ---------------- *All pictures/screenshots taken by myself or @mrsbozz unless otherwise sourced*