The occasional curveball in one game puts you in the perfect position for the next pitch in another. But for Kim Ng, a revered baseball intellect who is familiar with the high-stakes game of Major League Baseball’s front offices, a sudden change occurred. Walking away from the unenviable stress of running an MLB team wasn’t the final chapter. Instead, it heralded the beginning of a fresh test on a different type of diamond, one deeply rooted in her own past. This move signals a potentially game-changing play for professional women’s softball.

The initial public indication of Ng’s surprising next chapter came from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He tweeted the news: “Athletes Unlimited Softball League is naming Kim Ng commissioner, entrusting the league’s expansion this summer and beyond in the trailblazing baseball executive who was formerly the Miami Marlins GM.” The tweet shook the entire world of sports. Clearly, Ng wasn’t just leaving baseball; she was bringing her formidable talents to elevate professional softball.

Her exit from the Miami Marlins raised eyebrows throughout the baseball industry. Her departure felt sudden, especially after she became the first female and first East Asian American General Manager in Major League Baseball history. Ng declined her contract option after it was revealed that there were plans to hire a President of Baseball Operations above her.

She candidly stated they weren’t “completely aligned” on the structure, adding that she felt it would be “best to step away.” The decision seemed to mirror former chief executive Derek Jeter’s earlier departure from Miami, suggesting a difference in vision among the Marlins’ ownership and framing her exit less as a simple firing and more as a principled stand.

Despite its ending, Ng’s time with the Fish was not just ornamental; it got results. She deftly guided the club to its first playoff berth in a full season after two decades, in 2023. With that, she became the first female GM to guide an MLB team to the postseason. Important moves, such as trading for batting champion Luis Arraez and extending ace Sandy Alcantara, reflected her keen judgment. Hiring manager Skip Schumaker, who guided the team to that winning 2023 season, also underlined her positive presence while in South Florida.

A potential grand slam for women’s softball: Kim Ng’s defining role at AUSL

Ng has the perfect credentials for this league-building job. It began at the University of Chicago, where she was an MVP infielder on the softball team. Then, for the next three decades, she worked her way up in Major League Baseball, with key roles with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, where she earned three World Series rings, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. She also took the position of Senior VP of Baseball Operations at MLB, where she also worked with USA Softball. This mix of front-office smarts and real passion for the sport of softball provides a strong foundation for her new endeavor.

As Senior Advisor, Ng carries tremendous responsibilities essential for the launch and long-term sustainability of AUSL. She also leads strategic development, guiding the transition from a 2025 touring model to city-based teams in 2026. Adding talent will be vital, involving the selection of GMs and coaches; respected names like Lisa Fernandez are already joining. Ng also leads media relations, which has included negotiating a critical ESPN broadcast deal. AUSL didn’t have a distinct commissioner figure before, so it’s not just that Ng is managing; she’s architecting the operation of the league itself, a massive but necessary task.

Enthusiasm surrounds Ng’s appointment, reflecting confidence in her ability to meet these challenges head-on. Athletes Unlimited’s chief executive, Jon Patricof, praised her “unparalleled” achievements and the mix of “strategy and operational experience” she brings.“Softball is poised for tremendous growth, and I believe the AUSL is well-positioned for success,” Ng said in a statement. She emphasized the personal significance, stating that it is “such a thrill” to be supporting women athletes on this stage at this point in her career.

Kim Ng’s move to Athletes Unlimited Softball isn’t just a personal career shift. It’s a defining moment for women’s professional softball.