Oklahoma softball player Jocelyn Alo will play for the new Women's Professional Fastpitch league.

Victoria Hayward will be back on the field this weekend as a softball player — and as an owner.

Japan won its second straight Olympic softball gold medal, beating the United States 2-0 in an emotional repeat of their 2008 victory in Beijing that again left the Americans in tears.

Cat Osterman dominated as the United States began its quest to regain the Olympic softball gold medal.

Skippy the yellow kangaroo with green paws was affixed to the first base dugout railing watching the Australia Spirit become the first team to work out at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium.

U.S. coach Ken Eriksen predicts tight competition in softball as the sport returns to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, pitcher Cat Osterman smiles as she answers a question during a news conference to announce the USA Softball 2020 Women's Olympic Team in Oklahoma City. Osterman is the first Athletes Unlimited softball champion. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)Team USA pitcher Cat Osterman is the first Athletes Unlimited softball champion. “As soon as we got delayed, all of us were like, ’OK, we have to figure out a way to be a part of Athletes Unlimited,” Osterman said. In college at Texas, she was a three-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

Hayward is one of the 56 elite players signed to suit up when Athletes Unlimited launches the first of its professional women's sports leagues in late August. Athletes Unlimited gives players a big say in decisions the league makes, whether it's the uniform colors or TV deals. Theyre amazing athletes," said Jon Patricof, co-founder and CEO of Athletes Unlimited. A lot of what were trying to do is bring in onscreen graphics, miking up of players, Patricof said. A big point of emphasis for Athletes Unlimited is building the players brand.