Olympic gold medalists Natasha Watley and Lisa Fernandez will serve as head coaches for the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Pro Game at the Little League Softball World Series (LLSWS), presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, in Greenville, North Carolina. The event is scheduled for August 5 at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
The annual AUSL Pro Game provides LLSWS participants with opportunities to interact directly with professional softball athletes through activities such as high-five tunnels, dance-offs, and time spent together in player areas. Patrick Wilson, Little League President and CEO, said, “Role models play such an important role in the growth and development of young female athletes, and there are no better role models for our players than the athletes of the AUSL. Since this event first began in 2023, we have seen firsthand the impact that this experience provides to not just our World Series participants, but also to the AUSL athletes themselves.”
This year’s game will feature two teams of AUSL players divided by East and West Region competing for the AUSL Pro Game Championship Banner. Final rosters will be announced later this summer following the conclusion of the regular season.
Kim Ng, AUSL Commissioner, said, “One of the most important ways we continue to grow softball is by creating real connections between young players and the athletes they look up to. The experience these girls have at the Little League Softball World Series goes far beyond watching a game, as they will have the opportunity to interact directly with some of the best players in the world and see a future for themselves in the sport.”
Watley is a four-time All-American who became both an NCAA champion and two-time Olympic medalist; she was also noted as being a motivational speaker dedicated to growing participation among girls through her foundation work. She said, “What makes this partnership between the AUSL and Little League so special is that these girls don’t just get to watch professional softball — they get to spend real time around AUSL athletes, ask questions, and see firsthand what a future in the sport can look like.” Fernandez serves as Associate Head Coach at UCLA while managing Utah Talons; she brings three Olympic gold medals’ worth of experience along with continued involvement coaching younger divisions. “One of things I’m most excited about is bringing energy and competitiveness … while reinforcing fundamentals,” Fernandez said.
Both events are presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. In recent years The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation has provided grants supporting local programs during this event series. The partnership between Little League and AUSL dates back to 2020 with shared goals including increased accessibility and diversity within softball.
