Uniting Softball Voices Across America: SA Launches Podcast Network
We are thrilled to announce our groundbreaking podcast network, a platform designed to amplify diverse voices and foster meaningful conversations across all levels of softball. In a world where unity and community are more crucial than ever, we recognize the power of a united team. Gray Robertson will serve as Podcast Director guiding the team on a national level. Robertson is entering in his eighth year broadcasting Alabama softball on the Crimson Tide Sports Network as an analyst and sixth season calling softball on SECNetwork+ as play-by-play announcer. Alongside his radio partner Tom Canterbury, Robertson has also hosted the Out of the Box podcast since 2019, discussing softball stories with some of the biggest media voices and coaching names in the sport.
“It’s an incredible thrill to join this amazing venture. Not only have I loved covering softball on radio and TV over the years, but one of my great joys has been podcasting about this growing sport,” Robertson said. “To get to do so in an even bigger way, and crucially alongside my friend Tara Henry, my long-time podcast partner Tom Canterbury, and our absolutely fantastic collection of voices from around the nation makes this announcement somehow even more exciting. This team is filled with unique perspectives and differing experiences, and I believe the network we’ve formed will give fans a chance to gain an even deeper appreciation and love for the conferences that they support.”
With this network, we aim to create a space where voices from various regions throughout Softball America can join together and cover the sport we all love. Here are the weekly shows that are launching during the 2024 collegiate season:
Good Morning, Softball America
Premiere Date: Wednesday, February 7th; Weekly Airings Every Wednesday Morning
Hosts: Gray Robertson and Tara Henry
Hosted by Robertson and Henry, Good Morning, Softball America will serve as a national podcast looking at all the major storylines around the country. This show will travel coast-to-coast, league-to-league through the softball world and will feature detailed analysis, thorough discussion, and insightful interviews.
It Just Means More Softball
Premiere Date: Tuesday, February 13th; Weekly Airings Every Monday Starting February 19th
Hosts: Gray Robertson and Tom Canterbury
Hosted by broadcasters Gray Robertson and Tom Canterbury from Out of the Box, this podcast features detailed conversation and analysis about all things SEC softball as well as interviews with the biggest names around the conference.
Get to Know Tom Canterbury: Canterbury enters in his 10th season as the play-by-play voice of Alabama softball on the Crimson Tide Sports Network. During the season, he co-hosts the “Out of the Box” podcast alongside radio partner Gray Robertson. In 2023, Canterbury and Robertson were awarded the Golden Mic for Best Team Radio.
Ten Teams, Two Rings
Premiere Date: Tuesday, February 13th; Weekly Airings Every Tuesday
Host: Nicole Mendes
Hosted by Oklahoma softball legend Nicole Mendes, Ten Teams, Two Rings is the official Big 12 podcast for Softball America. Each week, Mendes will examine the biggest stories around the league and interview the most important figures in the conference.
Get to Know Nicole Mendes: Mendes is a two-time National Champion at Oklahoma and a 2020 Olympian. Since college, she has played softball with Athletes Unlimited and has served as a softball analyst for a variety of networks, including ESPN.
Softball Speakeasy
Premiere Date: Wednesday, February 14th; Weekly Airings Every Wednesday
Hosts: Raine Wilson and Kelly Torres
Hosted by Duke alum Raine Wilson and current Blue Devil Kelly Torres, Softball Speakeasy provides a unique look at the ACC through the eyes of a softball analyst and a current player.
Featuring week-to-week insight into Duke and the rest of the conference, wild stories about realities of being a college athlete, and amazing guests, “Softball Speakeasy” will go places few podcasts can reach.
Get to Know Raine Wilson: Wilson, a Duke softball graduate, was a four-time team captain and 2018 First Team All-ACC selection. Since her playing days, she’s worked as a softball analyst, including during NCAA Tournament Regionals with ESPN, and was awarded the 2023 Golden Mic Breakout Star of the Year.
Get to Know Kelly Torres: Torres is a South Florida native and a senior catcher on the Duke softball team who majors in Psychology with a double minor in Neuroscience and Journalism.
Sydney’s Spin
Premiere Date: Thursday, February 15th; Weekly Airings Every Thursday
Host: Sydney Supple
Hosted by Northwestern alum and Softball America contributor Sydney Supple, Sydney’s Spin takes an in-depth look at the most critical storylines around the Big Ten.
Get to Know Sydney Supple: Supple is a former student-athlete at Northwestern University, where she won three Big Ten titles and participated in the 2022 Women’s College World Series. Currently, she’s participating in the Newhouse School of Public Communications Master’s program at Syracuse University. Supple has called games on ESPN+, Big Ten+, and the ACC Network as a play-by-play, color analyst and sideline reporter for multiple sports, and she hosts her own softball podcast called “From The Players.”
The Final Swing
Premiere Date: Friday, February 16th; Weekly Airings Every Friday
Host: Aaliyah Jordan
Hosted by two-time All-American and UCLA alum Aaliyah Jordan, The Final Swing is the official Pac-12 podcast for Softball America. This show will document the final season for the Conference of Champions and look at the most important stories surrounding the league each week.
Get to Know Aaliyah Jordan: Jordan is a two-time All-American and National Champion who played at UCLA from 2017-2023. The former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and Batting Champion earned her Bachelors in Psychology and earned a Masters in Education – Transformative Coaching and Leadership.
Each show will air weekly throughout the 2024 season, with more podcast events planned for the future. With interest growing at a rapid rate around the country, providing multiple platforms for softball stories to be told was the natural next step for Softball America.
“I am thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast network! It is with a big smile and a full heart that we bring you a diverse lineup of captivating shows, each crafted with passion and purpose,” Tara Henry said. “With Gray Robertson’s extensive work in the softball world it was a no-brainer to hire him as our Podcast Director to help us grow and cover the sport on a true national level. The addition of current softball analysts, seasoned podcasters, former All-Americans like Aaliyah Jordan, and a special group of up and coming talent will make 2024 the best year yet.”
If you’d like to join the network, please send inquiries to hello@softballamerica.com.
