How AUSL's Sam Landry has become a role model, and style icon, for young fans

Sam Landry, the first overall pick in the inaugural AUSL Draft last year, was caught in a bit of a whirlwind when she joined the Volts.

She had just three days off between nearly leading Oklahoma to an NCAA championship and joining the pros. Her performance was, in her own words, "not her absolute best." She was tired, she was trying to get her bearings.

But still, she loved every second of it. How could she not?

It was the first year of a groundbreaking women's professional softball league. The competition was the best in the world, the fans flocked to the various locations around the Midwest and South -- many of them little girls who finally saw a pro league with stars like Landry, who they could aspire to be like someday. The ace pitcher fully embraced all the support, but heard one comment, over and over again, that really tugged at her emotions.

"It was nothing short of amazing," Landry said in a recent call. "I never pictured myself in the shoes of somebody that little girls were looking up to. I never got used to it; I'll never get used to it. One of the most moving comments that was made was the fact that there were so many little girls who had to wear glasses, but refused to wear them, because they didn't want to wear them on the field. It was mainly moms telling me the story and they would say, 'Thank you. She didn't want to start wearing them until she saw you wearing them.' Just hearing that that's my position in this life at this moment, it'll always be a tearjerker for me."

And now, heading into the AUSL's second season with plenty of rest, Landry is excited to get back out on the field to experience those emotions all over again.

After an incredibly successful first season, the league will expand to six teams in 2026. The Bandits, Volts, Blaze and reigning champion Talons will remain, with two other teams -- the Spark and Cascade -- rounding out the total to six. The Spark will play in Oklahoma City, while the host cities for the other five teams will be announced in the coming months. The four GMs for the original four teams will remain the same in 2026, but only one head coach -- Howard Dobson -- will return to try and lead the Talons to a repeat title. GM Kirk Walker, the winningest coach in Oregon State softball history and an assistant on Dobson's Talons staff in 2025, will be the new GM for the Spark. Seminoles legend Amber Flores will manage the squad from the dugout. More info on the coaching changes and schedule can be found here.

How will the new teams get their players? Good question.

Over the last couple weeks, the Bandits, Volts, Blaze and Talons have selected five players each from their team that they're protecting and keeping for 2026. The full list of protected players can be found here -- among them were league MVP Erin Coffel and Pitcher of the Year Georgina Corrick. Other stars like Landry, Maya Brady and Bri Ellis were not.

On Monday on ESPNU, there will be an expansion draft where the Spark and Cascade will take turns picking unprotected players from the four teams. Immediately following that, there will be an allocation draft where all six teams can pick players who are not currently in the AUSL. The eligible player pool includes players from professional leagues around the world, other professional teams, and the AUSL 2025 Reserve Pool. Then, of course, there are the college player candidates who'll be handed the coveted Golden Ticket next spring. Each team will be able to pick two seniors to join their ranks.

Hello, NiJaree Canady?

Landry, unprotected by her Volts, could still get re-drafted by them. But also, maybe more interestingly, she could now go back to the city where she became a softball superstar.

"Honestly, I have nothing against going back to Oklahoma," Landry said. "I love being out there, I love having the resources that are out there. If I happen to go to the Spark, I wouldn't be mad about it. Anywhere I go would be great. Staying with the Volts would be great. I'm gonna leave it in God's hands and see what he has in store for me."

Either way, she'll be bringing her deadly changeup, her huge social media presence and those unmistakable spectacles to some mound, somewhere in the AUSL in 2026. A sophomore season that should be even bigger, and more star-powered, than the first.

"I do get new lenses every 6-8 months, so it may be a new pair," Landry laughed. "But it'll be the same style. It'll be the clear glasses."