Payton Gottshall On Pro Softball Life, Mexico League, AUSL ESPN Deal & Tennessee Softball Culture

Former Tennessee Lady Vol Payton Gottshall pulls back the curtain on what professional softball actually looks like: bouncing between leagues and countries (Mexico, Netherlands, Taiwan), 60-hour travel days, and why Mexico’s fan culture is unmatched. We also dive into the AUSL x ESPN/ABC deal and what city-based teams mean for players and fans in 2026. Plus: how the transfer from Bowling Green to Tennessee changed her career, team culture, 1,000 Ks, and the mental switch that unlocked her best pitching. What we cover: -How pro softball works when the U.S. season is short -Playing in Mexico, the Netherlands, and Taiwan (and surviving 60 hours of travel) -Why Mexico’s stadium crowds feel different -AUSL is moving to city-based teams + ESPN multi-year deal (Championship on ABC) -Transferring to Tennessee: culture, “the program,” and hitting 1,000 strikeouts -Advice to the next generation: trust your identity About OLF: Out of Left Field is “softball, unfiltered.” Weekly interviews with the athletes, coaches, and creators growing the game. Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@OutOfLeftFieldOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Follow Payton Gottshall on IG: @P.Gott Follow Abby Alonzo on IG: @AbbigailAlonzo #AUSL #PaytonGottshall #Softball