Patty Gasso to make broadcast debut for Athletes Unlimited Softball League
There's not much Patty Gasso hasn't done in the softball world, but she's found something new to try.
The U.S. national coach who has led the University of Oklahoma to eight national titles will be on a broadcast team for the first time. She will assist Amanda Scarborough, Chuckie Kempf and Savanna Collins when the Talons play the Volts in an Athletes Unlimited Softball League game Friday in Norman, Oklahoma.
Gasso, who has coached at Oklahoma since 1995, is taking advantage of the fact that the AUSL is using a traveling format in its first year and is visiting Oklahoma's home field for a series. She's excited about the opportunity to help with a game that will broadcast on MLB.com and several regional affiliates and feels she'd regret not giving it a shot.
'It's something that I would wonder if I would be good at or if it's something I might try to do in the future,' she said. 'So that intrigues me a little bit. But I just like to talk softball. And normally, I'm in the middle of it, so I'm not really able to talk about it.'
Gasso said she sees the action differently now that she'll guide Team USA into the 2028 Summer Olympics.
'Now, there's a different kind of interest,' she said. 'Now I'm watching and going, 'Okay, I see what we could do to help this certain athlete. I see something they're doing maybe in their swing that we know we could help.''
Gasso will be watching three of her former Oklahoma players. Sydney Romero plays for the Talons and Tiare Jennings and Sam Landry play for the Volts. Landry, the No. 1 pick in the AUSL draft, led the Sooners to the Women's College World Series semifinals earlier this month.
Gasso said she's been watching the league closely and studies each game. She likes the fact that Athletes Unlimited added a season with a traditional format to its season with an individual scoring format, giving her a better idea of how the best players compete in a team format at the pro level.
'They care,' she said. 'They care about winning. And that allows you to watch a good product, because they're all fighting for it. They're fighting for something. And I never felt that until really AUSL came into the equation and had great structure.'
Part of that structure comes from USA Softball's support. Craig Cress, USA Softball's CEO, said Gasso adds to that.
'What her and her staff have done in Oklahoma and what they bring and what I've already seen us be able to do with some of the stuff that we've done with national team athletes already — we're just really lucky that she has that same great desire to be a part of our program as she does to be an Oklahoma Sooner,' Cress said.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Patty Gasso to make broadcast debut for Athletes Unlimited Softball League
There's not much Patty Gasso hasn't done in the softball world, but she's found something new to try. The U.S. national coach who has led the University of Oklahoma to eight national titles will be on a broadcast team for the first time. She will assist Amanda Scarborough, Chuckie Kempf and Savanna Collins when the Talons play the Volts in an Athletes Unlimited Softball League game Friday in Norman, Oklahoma. Gasso, who has coached at Oklahoma since 1995, is taking advantage of the fact that the AUSL is using a traveling format in its first year and is visiting Oklahoma's home field for a series. She's excited about the opportunity to help with a game that will broadcast on and several regional affiliates and feels she'd regret not giving it a shot. 'It's something that I would wonder if I would be good at or if it's something I might try to do in the future,' she said. 'So that intrigues me a little bit. But I just like to talk softball. And normally, I'm in the middle of it, so I'm not really able to talk about it.' Gasso said she sees the action differently now that she'll guide Team USA into the 2028 Summer Olympics. 'Now, there's a different kind of interest,' she said. 'Now I'm watching and going, 'Okay, I see what we could do to help this certain athlete. I see something they're doing maybe in their swing that we know we could help.'' Gasso will be watching three of her former Oklahoma players. Sydney Romero plays for the Talons and Tiare Jennings and Sam Landry play for the Volts. Landry, the No. 1 pick in the AUSL draft, led the Sooners to the Women's College World Series semifinals earlier this month. Gasso said she's been watching the league closely and studies each game. She likes the fact that Athletes Unlimited added a season with a traditional format to its season with an individual scoring format, giving her a better idea of how the best players compete in a team format at the pro level. 'They care,' she said. 'They care about winning. And that allows you to watch a good product, because they're all fighting for it. They're fighting for something. And I never felt that until really AUSL came into the equation and had great structure.' Part of that structure comes from USA Softball's support. Craig Cress, USA Softball's CEO, said Gasso adds to that. 'What her and her staff have done in Oklahoma and what they bring and what I've already seen us be able to do with some of the stuff that we've done with national team athletes already — we're just really lucky that she has that same great desire to be a part of our program as she does to be an Oklahoma Sooner,' Cress said. ___ AP sports:
Toronto Sun
7 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Former Olympic teammate rips Simone Biles, claims gymnast bullied her for years
'Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone,' MyKayla Skinner claims. United States' Simone Biles, right, poses for pictures with teammate MyKayla Skinner, after an artistic gymnastics practice session at the 2020 Summer Olympics. AP Photo After her online beef with Riley Gaines went viral earlier this month, Simone Biles now has been rocked by accusations made by a former teammate. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In a statement to One America News, former U.S. gymnast MyKayla Skinner backed Gaines in her feud with Biles before claiming the Olympic legend had bullied her for years behind the scenes. Skinner, who won silver in the vault event at the Tokyo Games in 2021, previously had been involved in an online conflict with Biles in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Games. Skinner claimed that she and her family received death threats over comments made about the U.S. women's gymnastics teams prior to the Paris Games. Now, after years of staying silent 'out of respect,' she indicated she'd reached her tipping point. 'Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone,' Skinner said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The pressure to stay silent was immense. I kept quiet out of respect — for the sport, for my teammates, and for the ideal of unity among athletes. 'But witnessing this kind of public shaming, especially from someone in a position of influence, makes that silence no longer acceptable.' OAN received an official statement on behalf of @mykaylaskinner: "As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I've always believed that true competition should elevate us—not diminish others. That's why it's deeply troubling to see @Simone_Biles publicly label a fellow… — One America News (@OANN) June 13, 2025 Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Biles had ripped into Gaines on social media over her stance on transgender athletes in women's sports, unfolding after the conservative political activist shared a post about a Minnesota high school softball team winning a state championship with a transgender pitcher on its roster and noted that the comments were turned off, writing, 'To be expected when your star player is a boy.' In response, Biles wrote that Gaines was 'truly sick,' and referenced the former swimmer's infamous fifth-place tie with transgender athlete Lia Thomas at a championship event. @Riley_Gaines_ You're truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender… — Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'All of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender category IN ALL sports!!' Biles continued. Biles later wrote 'bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.' She later apologized for her comments. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Skinner was firmly in Gaines' corner over the online battle. 'As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I've always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others,' she said in her statement. 'That's why it's deeply troubling to see @Simone_Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a 'sore loser' — simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women's sports. 'I commend and appreciate @Riley_Gaines_ for having the courage to speak up. Women like her are not only standing for fairness, but for the future of female athletics itself. She deserves support — not ridicule.' Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Skinner's own feud with Biles reached a point where she had to plead with the 11-time Olympic medallist to call off her rabid fans, revealing that she and her family had received death threats over her comments about the 2024 U.S. women's gymnastics teams. 'I sincerely hoped that this topic wouldn't have to be revisited, but unfortunately things have really gotten out of hand lately,' an emotional Skinner said in a video posted to Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'So, to Simone, I am asking you directly and publicly to please put a stop to this,' Skinner continued. Prior to the Games, Skinner made comments during an interview on YouTube about the talent and depth of the team heading to Paris. 'Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn't like what it used to be. Just notice like, I mean, obviously a lot of girls don't work as hard. The girls just don't have the work ethic,' Skinner said in the since-deleted video, which went viral on X. After Biles and Co. won gold in the team event, she seemingly threw some shade at Skinner's comments, posting a pic of the squad celebrating with the caption: 'Lack of talent, lazy, Olympic champions.' Toronto Maple Leafs Music Toronto & GTA World Canada
Toronto Sun
11-06-2025
- Toronto Sun
Anti-doping watchdog urges U.S. authorities to shut down planned drug-fueled event in Las Vegas
Published Jun 11, 2025 • 2 minute read FILE - The President of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Witold Banka speaks during the opening of the WADA Symposium for Anti-Doping Organizations at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 18, 2025. Photo by Laurent Gillieron / AP The global watchdog of doping in sports said Wednesday it will urge public authorities to shut down the drug-fueled Enhanced Games planned in Las Vegas next year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative,' World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka said on the sidelines of a meeting of Olympic sports bodies. Organizers of the games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses to beat world record times by athletes who will be encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. 'This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs,' Banka told leaders of Summer Olympics sports at the annual meeting of their umbrella group, known as ASOIF. 'For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport of course it must be stopped,' the WADA leader said. Banka, a former sports minister in Poland, suggested the Enhanced Games could be legally exposed in the state of Nevada or federally. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This is something that has to be explored from the legal perspective,' he told The Associated Press. 'I cannot imagine, for instance, doctors giving the drugs to the athletes. It is completely against the values of their work.' 'The main thing is this event is going to be located in the U.S. so I think there is a strong role to be played by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,' said Banka, whose Montreal-based organization has long had a troubled relationship with the American agency. USADA's chief executive, Travis Tygart, has described the Enhanced Games as a 'dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.' Investors in the project — which aims to sell personalized supplements and substances plans to subscribers — include one group backed by Donald Trump Jr. The doping-backed project was 'very embarrassing' for the U.S., Banka suggested, given its proximity to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'I think the main responsibility is on USADA's shoulders, who need to take the lead because it is in their country,' he said. Swimming's governing body World Aquatics said last week it will ban athletes, coaches and officials who take part in the Enhanced Games. Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. NHL Celebrity Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls News
