Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
I got a couple of people in the studio right
now to chat with me about softball. We love softball
here in Nebraska, in the Omaha area. A major softball
game that took place last night between the University of
Nebraska and Uiversity of Nebraska Omaha, and a couple of
professional softball players are with us here in the studio.
I have Bella Dayton and Ali Aguilar with us. Guys,
thanks so much for being on the radio with me today.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Of course, thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Thanks for having Bella was a late addition and she
was not sure she wanted to do this, So I'm
going to start with you, Bella. I know that you're
pretty new to the pro game. Taking me through kind
of your softball career to this point, and how do
you got to this point?
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Yeah? No, I grew up just around baseball in general,
so getting to be involved in softball has been just
a stepping stone throughout my life. Especially just playing other
sports and feeding off of that has helped me within
the game itself. I started my career college career at
(00:57):
the University of Arizona and ended it at the Universe
Versity of Texas. So being able to be in this
this propath and getting involved with people that I maybe
grew up watching or have played against in college. I
think it's it's the start for me to something great
and building those relationships even further.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I'm super excited for.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Yeah, this is, by the way, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League,
and uh there's a website, the AUSL dot com if
you want to try to grab some more information on this.
What position I mean, can I ask, like a college softball,
especially when you go to place like Texas and Arizona,
it's so competitive, what position did you play and kind
(01:38):
of what was that experience like trying to even work
your way onto the field.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, well I'm left handed, so there's there's only so
many options.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Fair enough, You're not going to be a catcher probably, yeah, No,
not going to play second base as a lefty. I
wouldn't imagine.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Even first base I couldn't do, but I do play outfield.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Definitely.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Trying to get on the field was something you have
you have to work hard for, and I loved being
able to to show what I had to offer. But
I was I was prepared to play anywhere they put
me because to be on that field every day is
a pleasure, and to be chosen is also a great feeling.
So whatever they wanted me to prepare for, I was
(02:19):
ready to do.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So I kind of went.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Across the outfield as I went through college, So started
and right played in center for a little bit and
then ended my career and love field majority of the time.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
So and now you're playing professional softball, which is pretty cool.
You're sitting next to Ali Aguilar, and Ali's got a
whole unique story on your own alley and this really cool.
I want to talk about, you know, playing for Team
USA and all that stuff too. But how do you
get started, because you know, you have to start somewhere
when you fall in love with the game, and kind
of how did you get to a spot where you're like,
(02:52):
you know, I'm not too bad at this, I don't think.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
So I started playing softball when I was seven years old,
and I always just I think I was just athletic,
like I love to be around sports, so it was
really any sport. But yeah, I started playing when I
was seven, didn't really know.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
It was a sport. So it's just cool to see
where it is today.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
But yeah, and then just worked my way up and
fell in love with it. I think eighth grade is
when I was like, I want to try to do
this and play in college and play professionally someday. And
that's where it kind of took a turn for me.
Before it was just just fun. Something that I got
to do in eighth grade is when I started taking
it a lot more serious and committing myself to college
(03:32):
and beyond that.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
So, how how did that experience go when you got
to college, Because you know, everybody kind of has a
different you're here, especially with players these days, you know,
you don't really stay in one place a lot of
the time. You know you're able to kind of see
what makes sense, and you play at high level institutions.
There's a lot of competitiveness and a lot of the
big power conferences. You see, Nebraska is really kind of
(03:56):
getting onto the scene with somebody like Jordi Ball, who
is just did an incredible talent as well. How do
you best describe kind of what your collegiate career was
like and how you were able to get to a
level where now you're playing for the national team as well.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Yeah, so I.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Always wanted to play for a school that would be
able to compete for a national championship, and they had
I was a freshman and they had just won the
national championship in two thousand and nine. So I'm sure
many fans are like, I want to go to Washington,
and the next year I committed. And it's kind of
a step of faith too, because I was a sophomore
and a lot of girls at my time committed that early,
(04:35):
and you really just have to take a chance on
what you and your family think is going to be.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
A good fit.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
And when I got there, I think it was everything
I needed to be able to take a level up
from just being a good high school player to being, yeah,
a good college player and getting seen by Tmusa and
things like that. And I would definitely like credit a
lot of my development and stuff like that to the
University of Washington, the program there, in the environment they created.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
For me to be able to succeed.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
But yeah, that's when I my junior year of college
at the University of Washington is when a spot opened
up for Team USA and I was able to make
their like B level team, their second team, and then
I think an injury happened and I worked my way
to the senior team.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So yeah, it was definitely.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I am really grateful for my time at Washington and
everything I learned there to be able to get to
that next level.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
You got to go to Tokyo.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Yeah, yeah, So how what was that like?
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Well, we had been to Japan, like prior since I
joined the team in twenty sixteen. Was my first time
in Japan, and so it was like we were very
familiar with Japan in general.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Looked a little different maybe in twenty twenty one.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
Well, it was very different for many reasons. Like one,
it was obviously the Olympics. It's like, wow, all like
this dream that you've had since you're like seven years
old and you started playing and watching the Tasha wattley
is and Caitlin Lowe's and Jenny Finch like whoa, Like
I'm here.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
It was kind of like that's crazy.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
But it was also crazy because it was COVID and
there was no one in the stands, so it was
like whoa, this is like this huge, huge, huge moment.
But then like the fans weren't there, but still like
the village, the hype around all of that was still
really cool, and to see a dream come true was
like what was worth it.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Ali Aguilar and Bella Dayton with us here with the
athletes and Limited Softball League. Can you guys stick around
for one more segment? And we got to talk about
this new league that's coming to town. Right it's not good?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yes, all right, course we're.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Going to do that and you need to stick around
with us as well right after this on THEWS Radio
eleven T and Kfab and Marie.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Still on news Radio eleven ten KFAB.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
So happy to have you with us, Bella Dayton and
Ali Aguilar joining us in the studio. From the Athletes
in Limited Softball League. It's fun getting to know you
guys and how you got to this point where you're professionals.
But now I want to talk about why why you're here.
You're here too remote the athletes in the Limited Softball League,
which you can find more information by the way THEAUSL
(07:06):
dot com. Okay, so let's go ahead and start Ali
with what is this league?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Because we've been recently introduced the last couple of years
to pro volleyball here in the Omaha market. Now you
guys are going to be bringing a couple of professional
teams to play this summer, and you know these are
the best of the best players available. So tell me
about how this league kind of got started and how
you got involved.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah, so, originally it started twenty twenty and it was
more of like a champion style league where you would
play and you would have captains and just more individual style.
But this is the first year, twenty twenty five, launching
an actual league that's going to we have four teams
and the first year is going to be more of
a tour style, so we're going to be going to
(07:50):
different cities across the United States and playing in different regions,
and yeah, just to get it exposed and get it
out there.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Now, Bella, how did one from college? You just like,
did you get drafted to this? Did somebody call you
and it's like, do you want to play? How do
you get involved in this league with a team specifically?
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yeah, No, it was a It was a draft that
happened in January, I believe it. Each team gets a
certain amount of picks, so you run through it kind
of just like a baseball draft.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
That you would see.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Did you have to kind of put your name into
the pool or did scouts just already we're kind of
like we're picking the best players and talking them into
playing with us.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
No, I received an email to put my name into
the draft, not knowing what actually would happen. So again,
just a fifty to fifty chance. But yeah, you watch it.
It's definitely nerve wracking, but an exciting experience to be
around friends and family or however. You you watch the
draft waiting to hopefully hear your name get called, and
(08:53):
once it does, it's just the most exciting feeling possible.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
So what seems are you playing for the Bandits? So
you're playing with the band It's Ali? Which team are
you playing for?
Speaker 2 (09:04):
The Talons?
Speaker 1 (09:05):
I am one of the impression that those two teams
are going to be the teams playing each other here
in Omaha in July? Is that right?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
You're correct?
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I love this, okay? So now the little rivalry going
on in are ok okay? So Ali, let's go ahead
and talk. First of all, softball Nebraska and in Omaha specifically.
You got a really nice taste of this yesterday. Tell
me about your experience over at closs And Field and
watching you and O take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Well, first of all, the stadium is beautiful, I guess
it's five years old. Yeah, it's pretty new, and I
was like, wow, this is an awesome facility.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
So I think, yeah, kudos to them.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
But also like as a professional athlete, getting to come
in and play in a facility like that with the
baseball and softball right there, like that was really awesome
to see. And then to bring in a team like
Nebraska see Jordi ballpitch and also get to know, you know,
the Omaha team a little bit, like they were competing
a little bit with them. So it was sold out.
(10:03):
People were standing in the crowd. Yeah, we were there
with the table setup, just talking to all the little softballers,
trying to get the big sided.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
But it's really cool. I talked to a few.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Of them and they're like, yeah, we're gonna come, We're
gonna come this summer. Like they're just excited. So it
was it was a cool environment for sure.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
You're belly, you're real fresh out of college. What is
your takeaway on the two teams that you got a
chance to check out, including Jordi Ball, who of course
it was a big deal when she transferred to Nebraska,
we didn't get to really see her at all last year.
She tore ACL in like second or third game of
the season. To see her now healthy. What was your
kind of takeaway from what you saw yesterday?
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Yeah, I wish I could have made it.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Oh, so you weren't actually there, I'm asking you the
wrong question.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Playing difficulties, But I was pretty very excited to show
up and see those teams compete, just on all the
transfers that came into to Nebraska and how competitive they
are this season.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
What did you think, Ali when you saw Jordy and
the Huskers and what do you think they can achieve
this year?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Yeah? I was super excited to see her.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Obviously, she's a great athlete and she Yeah, I was
injured and coming back off that, so I was just
excited to get to watch her in the team play.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
All right, So we're speaking with Belledayton and Ali Aguilar.
They are representing the athletes Unlimited Softball League. Let's talk
about how people can watch you guys. I know that
I mentioned the website. I'm sure that's got all the
information at THEAUSL dot com. You guys are going to
be here in July. You mentioned this as touring. It's
like a series. You guys a going to play multiple
(11:42):
games against each other. Is that kind of how this works.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Yes, we're going to be playing a three game series
the Talents Urus the Bandits at University of Omaha. So
we'll be playing yeah, three games. I believe it's July
eleventh through thirteenth, So you guys can put that on
your schedule.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Yeah. I love that.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
And that, of course is when college softball is wrapped
up at that point, you know, so you got to
get your softball fixed. How about some professional softball? You
mentioned how awesome that facility is over there now, Bella.
For anybody who's kind of wondering how professional softball works,
is there any kind of different rules or that people
need to know or is it still you know, the
(12:19):
same pitching distance, same you know kind of rules, you
got the same type of lineups, all that stuff. It's
just the highest of high levels, basically. I mean, that's
a that's pretty easy, good question. I was like, well,
I surprise, I surprised her.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
I thought she was at the game day.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
So she's already just like, oh this guy, he's asking
me all these terrible questions.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
I just figured I just kind of pile on. It's great.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Yeah, she's a softball player. I talked to the microphone
for a living. She plays in the outfield for a living.
Are you left handed? Left handed at the plate too?
Do you ever get asked to like are you slap her?
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Like?
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Do you have to slap?
Speaker 3 (12:57):
I do slap? I slap handed hit?
Speaker 1 (13:01):
What do you think about that you got to be?
Do you have to be like super fast? Or is
it really that big of a difference? You know this
strategy wise, how big of a difference is it for like,
you know, just being five feet closer to first base
in the batter's box.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
I think that definitely a lot of people have their
opinions on what it looks like. I think I've heard
it all, but I think it gives me a little
bit of leverage, just momentum wise and being quick. It
takes a lot of adapting and building and getting the
feel of your body and what's right when you're actually slapping.
(13:34):
But yeah, overall, I think it helps me.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
It's the strategy. I mean, you look in one pitch
and it's kind of difficult. I was trying to figure out,
like the great players that are slap hitters, they're just
nightmares for the other team. But at the same time,
just like doesn't that kind of make it more difficult
to actually hit the ball because you're on the move?
Is like the ball's coming. I saw a girl like
I think for Tennessee or something, they're like seventy eight
miles an hour the other day. Is it like, like,
(13:57):
how are you supposed to be running one direction in
that ball is coming the other direction? It'll look like
ninety five when like when you're in there right faster. Yeah,
that's okay. So I think, okay, but is it you
that decides or do you have to look in the
third base coaches box and then they're just like, hey,
you know, like we need to slap one down here.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I think it depends. It depends on who your coaches
are and what they trust you with plan wise, whether
it's reading the defense, they kind of give you the
the go ahead. There's so many different ways of slapping,
whether it's small ball power. Sure, there's different athletes that
use it in different ways. So yeah, I guess it's
just based off of what your coach wants in the moment. Definitely,
(14:37):
they have times where they want something specific, but other
than that, they tend to give free range.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
You guys are a lot of fun and I can't
wait to watch you guys play against each other when
the AUSL, the Athletes, a limited softball league comes to
town and plays at Connie Class and over there at
the University of Rascal, Omaha. Awesome place. Many of you
who are listening were probably at that game last night.
Nebraska Tech on Omaha. An awesome environment and you'll be
(15:03):
seeing Ali Aguilar play for the Talents. You'll see Bella
Dayton playing for the bandits. Guys, thanks so much for
coming in having some fun with us here on this Thursday,
and enjoy your time in Omaha. Thank you, thank you. Okay, Goal,
I was gonna say, you gotta have an equal time
on this radio show. No problem.
I got a couple of people in the studio right
now to chat with me about softball. We love softball
here in Nebraska, in the Omaha area. A major softball
game that took place last night between the University of
Nebraska and Uiversity of Nebraska Omaha, and a couple of
professional softball players are with us here in the studio.
I have Bella Dayton and Ali Aguilar with us. Guys,
thanks so much for being on the radio with me today.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Of course, thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Thanks for having Bella was a late addition and she
was not sure she wanted to do this, So I'm
going to start with you, Bella. I know that you're
pretty new to the pro game. Taking me through kind
of your softball career to this point, and how do
you got to this point?
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Yeah? No, I grew up just around baseball in general,
so getting to be involved in softball has been just
a stepping stone throughout my life. Especially just playing other
sports and feeding off of that has helped me within
the game itself. I started my career college career at
(00:57):
the University of Arizona and ended it at the Universe
Versity of Texas. So being able to be in this
this propath and getting involved with people that I maybe
grew up watching or have played against in college. I
think it's it's the start for me to something great
and building those relationships even further.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I'm super excited for.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Yeah, this is, by the way, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League,
and uh there's a website, the AUSL dot com if
you want to try to grab some more information on this.
What position I mean, can I ask, like a college softball,
especially when you go to place like Texas and Arizona,
it's so competitive, what position did you play and kind
(01:38):
of what was that experience like trying to even work
your way onto the field.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, well I'm left handed, so there's there's only so
many options.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Fair enough, You're not going to be a catcher probably, yeah, No,
not going to play second base as a lefty. I
wouldn't imagine.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
Even first base I couldn't do, but I do play outfield.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Definitely.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Trying to get on the field was something you have
you have to work hard for, and I loved being
able to to show what I had to offer. But
I was I was prepared to play anywhere they put
me because to be on that field every day is
a pleasure, and to be chosen is also a great feeling.
So whatever they wanted me to prepare for, I was
(02:19):
ready to do.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So I kind of went.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Across the outfield as I went through college, So started
and right played in center for a little bit and
then ended my career and love field majority of the time.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
So and now you're playing professional softball, which is pretty cool.
You're sitting next to Ali Aguilar, and Ali's got a
whole unique story on your own alley and this really cool.
I want to talk about, you know, playing for Team
USA and all that stuff too. But how do you
get started, because you know, you have to start somewhere
when you fall in love with the game, and kind
of how did you get to a spot where you're like,
(02:52):
you know, I'm not too bad at this, I don't think.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
So I started playing softball when I was seven years old,
and I always just I think I was just athletic,
like I love to be around sports, so it was
really any sport. But yeah, I started playing when I
was seven, didn't really know.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
It was a sport. So it's just cool to see
where it is today.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
But yeah, and then just worked my way up and
fell in love with it. I think eighth grade is
when I was like, I want to try to do
this and play in college and play professionally someday. And
that's where it kind of took a turn for me.
Before it was just just fun. Something that I got
to do in eighth grade is when I started taking
it a lot more serious and committing myself to college
(03:32):
and beyond that.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
So, how how did that experience go when you got
to college, Because you know, everybody kind of has a
different you're here, especially with players these days, you know,
you don't really stay in one place a lot of
the time. You know you're able to kind of see
what makes sense, and you play at high level institutions.
There's a lot of competitiveness and a lot of the
big power conferences. You see, Nebraska is really kind of
(03:56):
getting onto the scene with somebody like Jordi Ball, who
is just did an incredible talent as well. How do
you best describe kind of what your collegiate career was
like and how you were able to get to a
level where now you're playing for the national team as well.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Yeah, so I.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Always wanted to play for a school that would be
able to compete for a national championship, and they had
I was a freshman and they had just won the
national championship in two thousand and nine. So I'm sure
many fans are like, I want to go to Washington,
and the next year I committed. And it's kind of
a step of faith too, because I was a sophomore
and a lot of girls at my time committed that early,
(04:35):
and you really just have to take a chance on
what you and your family think is going to be.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
A good fit.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
And when I got there, I think it was everything
I needed to be able to take a level up
from just being a good high school player to being, yeah,
a good college player and getting seen by Tmusa and
things like that. And I would definitely like credit a
lot of my development and stuff like that to the
University of Washington, the program there, in the environment they created.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
For me to be able to succeed.
Speaker 4 (05:04):
But yeah, that's when I my junior year of college
at the University of Washington is when a spot opened
up for Team USA and I was able to make
their like B level team, their second team, and then
I think an injury happened and I worked my way
to the senior team.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
So yeah, it was definitely.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I am really grateful for my time at Washington and
everything I learned there to be able to get to
that next level.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
You got to go to Tokyo.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Yeah, yeah, So how what was that like?
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Well, we had been to Japan, like prior since I
joined the team in twenty sixteen. Was my first time
in Japan, and so it was like we were very
familiar with Japan in general.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Looked a little different maybe in twenty twenty one.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
Well, it was very different for many reasons. Like one,
it was obviously the Olympics. It's like, wow, all like
this dream that you've had since you're like seven years
old and you started playing and watching the Tasha wattley
is and Caitlin Lowe's and Jenny Finch like whoa, Like
I'm here.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
It was kind of like that's crazy.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
But it was also crazy because it was COVID and
there was no one in the stands, so it was
like whoa, this is like this huge, huge, huge moment.
But then like the fans weren't there, but still like
the village, the hype around all of that was still
really cool, and to see a dream come true was
like what was worth it.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Ali Aguilar and Bella Dayton with us here with the
athletes and Limited Softball League. Can you guys stick around
for one more segment? And we got to talk about
this new league that's coming to town. Right it's not good?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yes, all right, course we're.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Going to do that and you need to stick around
with us as well right after this on THEWS Radio
eleven T and Kfab and Marie.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Still on news Radio eleven ten KFAB.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
So happy to have you with us, Bella Dayton and
Ali Aguilar joining us in the studio. From the Athletes
in Limited Softball League. It's fun getting to know you
guys and how you got to this point where you're professionals.
But now I want to talk about why why you're here.
You're here too remote the athletes in the Limited Softball League,
which you can find more information by the way THEAUSL
(07:06):
dot com. Okay, so let's go ahead and start Ali
with what is this league?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Right?
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Because we've been recently introduced the last couple of years
to pro volleyball here in the Omaha market. Now you
guys are going to be bringing a couple of professional
teams to play this summer, and you know these are
the best of the best players available. So tell me
about how this league kind of got started and how
you got involved.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah, so, originally it started twenty twenty and it was
more of like a champion style league where you would
play and you would have captains and just more individual style.
But this is the first year, twenty twenty five, launching
an actual league that's going to we have four teams
and the first year is going to be more of
a tour style, so we're going to be going to
(07:50):
different cities across the United States and playing in different regions,
and yeah, just to get it exposed and get it
out there.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Now, Bella, how did one from college? You just like,
did you get drafted to this? Did somebody call you
and it's like, do you want to play? How do
you get involved in this league with a team specifically?
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Yeah, No, it was a It was a draft that
happened in January, I believe it. Each team gets a
certain amount of picks, so you run through it kind
of just like a baseball draft.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
That you would see.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Did you have to kind of put your name into
the pool or did scouts just already we're kind of
like we're picking the best players and talking them into
playing with us.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
No, I received an email to put my name into
the draft, not knowing what actually would happen. So again,
just a fifty to fifty chance. But yeah, you watch it.
It's definitely nerve wracking, but an exciting experience to be
around friends and family or however. You you watch the
draft waiting to hopefully hear your name get called, and
(08:53):
once it does, it's just the most exciting feeling possible.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
So what seems are you playing for the Bandits? So
you're playing with the band It's Ali? Which team are
you playing for?
Speaker 2 (09:04):
The Talons?
Speaker 1 (09:05):
I am one of the impression that those two teams
are going to be the teams playing each other here
in Omaha in July? Is that right?
Speaker 2 (09:11):
You're correct?
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I love this, okay? So now the little rivalry going
on in are ok okay? So Ali, let's go ahead
and talk. First of all, softball Nebraska and in Omaha specifically.
You got a really nice taste of this yesterday. Tell
me about your experience over at closs And Field and
watching you and O take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Well, first of all, the stadium is beautiful, I guess
it's five years old. Yeah, it's pretty new, and I
was like, wow, this is an awesome facility.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
So I think, yeah, kudos to them.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
But also like as a professional athlete, getting to come
in and play in a facility like that with the
baseball and softball right there, like that was really awesome
to see. And then to bring in a team like
Nebraska see Jordi ballpitch and also get to know, you know,
the Omaha team a little bit, like they were competing
a little bit with them. So it was sold out.
(10:03):
People were standing in the crowd. Yeah, we were there
with the table setup, just talking to all the little softballers,
trying to get the big sided.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
But it's really cool. I talked to a few.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
Of them and they're like, yeah, we're gonna come, We're
gonna come this summer. Like they're just excited. So it
was it was a cool environment for sure.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
You're belly, you're real fresh out of college. What is
your takeaway on the two teams that you got a
chance to check out, including Jordi Ball, who of course
it was a big deal when she transferred to Nebraska,
we didn't get to really see her at all last year.
She tore ACL in like second or third game of
the season. To see her now healthy. What was your
kind of takeaway from what you saw yesterday?
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Yeah, I wish I could have made it.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Oh, so you weren't actually there, I'm asking you the
wrong question.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Playing difficulties, But I was pretty very excited to show
up and see those teams compete, just on all the
transfers that came into to Nebraska and how competitive they
are this season.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
What did you think, Ali when you saw Jordy and
the Huskers and what do you think they can achieve
this year?
Speaker 2 (11:07):
Yeah? I was super excited to see her.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Obviously, she's a great athlete and she Yeah, I was
injured and coming back off that, so I was just
excited to get to watch her in the team play.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
All right, So we're speaking with Belledayton and Ali Aguilar.
They are representing the athletes Unlimited Softball League. Let's talk
about how people can watch you guys. I know that
I mentioned the website. I'm sure that's got all the
information at THEAUSL dot com. You guys are going to
be here in July. You mentioned this as touring. It's
like a series. You guys a going to play multiple
(11:42):
games against each other. Is that kind of how this works.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Yes, we're going to be playing a three game series
the Talents Urus the Bandits at University of Omaha. So
we'll be playing yeah, three games. I believe it's July
eleventh through thirteenth, So you guys can put that on
your schedule.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Yeah. I love that.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
And that, of course is when college softball is wrapped
up at that point, you know, so you got to
get your softball fixed. How about some professional softball? You
mentioned how awesome that facility is over there now, Bella.
For anybody who's kind of wondering how professional softball works,
is there any kind of different rules or that people
need to know or is it still you know, the
(12:19):
same pitching distance, same you know kind of rules, you
got the same type of lineups, all that stuff. It's
just the highest of high levels, basically. I mean, that's
a that's pretty easy, good question. I was like, well,
I surprise, I surprised her.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
I thought she was at the game day.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
So she's already just like, oh this guy, he's asking
me all these terrible questions.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
I just figured I just kind of pile on. It's great.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Yeah, she's a softball player. I talked to the microphone
for a living. She plays in the outfield for a living.
Are you left handed? Left handed at the plate too?
Do you ever get asked to like are you slap her?
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Like?
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Do you have to slap?
Speaker 3 (12:57):
I do slap? I slap handed hit?
Speaker 1 (13:01):
What do you think about that you got to be?
Do you have to be like super fast? Or is
it really that big of a difference? You know this
strategy wise, how big of a difference is it for like,
you know, just being five feet closer to first base
in the batter's box.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
I think that definitely a lot of people have their
opinions on what it looks like. I think I've heard
it all, but I think it gives me a little
bit of leverage, just momentum wise and being quick. It
takes a lot of adapting and building and getting the
feel of your body and what's right when you're actually slapping.
(13:34):
But yeah, overall, I think it helps me.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
It's the strategy. I mean, you look in one pitch
and it's kind of difficult. I was trying to figure out,
like the great players that are slap hitters, they're just
nightmares for the other team. But at the same time,
just like doesn't that kind of make it more difficult
to actually hit the ball because you're on the move?
Is like the ball's coming. I saw a girl like
I think for Tennessee or something, they're like seventy eight
miles an hour the other day. Is it like, like,
(13:57):
how are you supposed to be running one direction in
that ball is coming the other direction? It'll look like
ninety five when like when you're in there right faster. Yeah,
that's okay. So I think, okay, but is it you
that decides or do you have to look in the
third base coaches box and then they're just like, hey,
you know, like we need to slap one down here.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I think it depends. It depends on who your coaches
are and what they trust you with plan wise, whether
it's reading the defense, they kind of give you the
the go ahead. There's so many different ways of slapping,
whether it's small ball power. Sure, there's different athletes that
use it in different ways. So yeah, I guess it's
just based off of what your coach wants in the moment. Definitely,
(14:37):
they have times where they want something specific, but other
than that, they tend to give free range.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
You guys are a lot of fun and I can't
wait to watch you guys play against each other when
the AUSL, the Athletes, a limited softball league comes to
town and plays at Connie Class and over there at
the University of Rascal, Omaha. Awesome place. Many of you
who are listening were probably at that game last night.
Nebraska Tech on Omaha. An awesome environment and you'll be
(15:03):
seeing Ali Aguilar play for the Talents. You'll see Bella
Dayton playing for the bandits. Guys, thanks so much for
coming in having some fun with us here on this Thursday,
and enjoy your time in Omaha. Thank you, thank you. Okay, Goal,
I was gonna say, you gotta have an equal time
on this radio show. No problem.
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