NiJaree Canady, Karlyn Pickens highlight Athletes Unlimited Softball League season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 11:16 AM
Last updated Jun 9, 2026
The 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) is set to begin on Tuesday, featuring several standout players from the college ranks, including NiJaree Canady and Karlyn Pickens. After a competitive college season, top picks like Canady and Texas catcher Reese Atwood are expected to impact their respective teams, which include the Carolina Blaze and Chicago Bandits. The new season will see four original teams and two expansion teams maintaining permanent bases in their cities. Training camps have concluded, and teams are preparing for the opening games with the inclusion of a reserve pool to cover any player absences.
- •2026 AUSL season starts on Tuesday, June 9.
- •Top college players, including Karlyn Pickens, transition to the AUSL.
- •New teams include Portland Cascade and Oklahoma City Spark.
- •Each team will have permanent bases this season.
- •A reserve player pool will cover potential team vacancies.
- 11:16 AMYahoo Sports — NiJaree Canady, Karlyn Pickens lead influx of new talent: Previewing the 2026 AUSL season
"Fear not, softball fans. While the college season has wrapped up with Texas standing above the rest, there’s no need to wait until next February to see some thrilling action on the diamond. In fact, many stars of this prolific senior class — such as Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood, Texas Tech star NiJaree Canady and No. 1 pick Karlyn Pickens, to name just a few — will transition to the next chapter of their careers by participating in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). “Pitchers just
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