The coronavirus pandemic pushed the Summer Games back a year. “A lot of what we’re trying to do is bring in on-screen graphics, miking up of players,” Patricof said. It was in Oct. 2019 when Hayward was first introduced to Athletes Unlimited, the brainchild of New York businessmen Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros. The game will look the same at least between the lines. The league name says it all: Athletes Unlimited. After the last game of every week, the top four point scorers will be named team captains. It’s great camaraderie. 10 (S) + 10 (S) + 40 (HR) – 10 (CS) = 50 points. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Each inning is worth +10 points and overall games are worth +50 points. Points will be awarded as follows: MVP 1: +60 points Subscribe to OregonLive. The Canadian is among 56 players, including 20 Olympians, who will take the field in Rosemont, Ill., for six weeks of games all at the same park. Instead, it will now be used to build a following before the players show up in Japan for the rescheduled 2021 Games and then again a few weeks later back in Illinois for season two. "The dynamic will completely change but it's a great training opportunity for us and an opportunity to play softball with everything going on, and then be able to have momentum going into next year," Hayward said. Instead, the athletes are the “owners.” The professional sports organization could be the biggest industry disruptor since the advent of player free agency. Set to debut its softball season on Saturday, the professional sports organization could be the biggest industry disruptor since the advent of player free agency. They've been getting help from a star-laden advisory board that includes Kevin Durant, Abby Wambach and Jessica Mendoza. That ideal is something Hayward says isn't lost on the participants. Players get to share in the profits, in addition to at least $10,000 guaranteed, plus bonus money. “Although it’s not ideal, I’m really looking forward to playing against some of these people I’ve been competing with all my life.”. Hayward became the youngest person to ever join the Canadian national softball team when she made her debut at 16 in 2009. In year one, players share equally in that money. All athletes train and play together in one location. Athletes Unlimited gives players a big say in decisions the league makes, whether it's the uniform colors or TV deals. It's already launched four original series by players, including a podcast hosted by American star AJ Andrews. Add some “good” to your morning and evening. Players will be tested frequently for the virus. “It’s really about the best players in the world, getting together being able to showcase their abilities, work with people they don’t necessarily always work with,” said the 28-year-old Hayward, an outfielder who played collegiately at Washington. There are no team owners; there aren’t even any teams. At the same time, we thought that if you’re going to launch a league of any sort, whether it’s a men’s or women’s sport, you really have to innovate and think differently about where fandom is heading. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem.