Black History Month is an observance dedicated to honoring the culture, achievements, and contributions of Black people throughout history.
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League was founded on principles of innovation, inclusion, and excellence and is committed to promoting awareness and celebrating Black excellence. This February, the AUSL is highlighting influential Black players in softball.
Natasha Watley is one of the most influential softball players of all time. She is a decorated All-American, Olympian, and highly celebrated athlete in the game. Watley played for UCLA, where she won the 2003 Honda Award and the NCAA National Championship with her team that same year. She holds the Bruins’ career records for at-bats, hits, runs scored, stolen bases, and triples, earning her a spot in the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. She was a long-time member of Team USA, competing on the world stage. She is a four-time World Cup Champion, two-time Pan American Gold Medalst and two-time Olympian. She won Gold with Team USA in 2004 and Silver in 2008.
She is now a philanthropist, entreprenuer and broadcaster. She serves as an advisor for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
Question: What do you hope that current professional softball players have learned from you?
Watley: I hope they’ve learned that your impact can extend far beyond the field. Excellence in your craft matters, but so does how you show up. Using your platform to open doors for others is one of the most meaningful legacies you can leave.
Q: What is the biggest change you have seen in our sport over the past decade?
Watley: The biggest change I’ve seen is the growth in diversity across the game. From youth softball all the way to the professional level, there is more representation than ever before. Young girls are seeing themselves reflected on the field, and that visibility matters. It’s powerful and honestly, it’s beautiful to watch.
Question: When you made the 2004 Olympic team, you were one of the few African-American athletes on the roster. Did you have Black athletes in or outside of softball you looked up to?
Watley: I didn’t have many role models within softball who looked like me at the time. Outside of the sport, though, Magic Johnson was my hero. I admired not only his greatness as an athlete but also his leadership, confidence, and the way he used his platform beyond the game.
Question: How has the collaboration between the Athlete Causes Program and the Natasha Watley Foundation helped your mission in impacting the lives of young athletes?
Watley: The representation and visibility have been huge. For the girls coming through the Natasha Watley Foundation, seeing their favorite professional athletes actively playing a role in creating opportunities for them is incredibly powerful. It reinforces that they are seen, valued, and supported by those they look up to most.
The AUSL up the 2026 season on June 9. Tickets are on sale now.
