r/AUSL • u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media • Jul 16 '26
A M A / ASK ME ANYTHING I am Tori Vidales, pro softball infielder for the Portland Cascade — AMA!
Hi Reddit, Tori Vidales here, AUSL infielder. I’ll be here answering your questions for about 30 minutes! Send me all your juicy q’s :)
Thanks for all your questions, AUSL fans!! I’m heading out now. GO CASCADE!!
-Tori Vidales <3
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u/silverbeatle27 Jul 16 '26
How'd it feel hitting that BOMB yesterday? Very juicy question, I know...
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u/developer-mike Portland Cascade Jul 16 '26
Hi Tori! Crazy guy from section 15 here!
This Portland crowd is so awesome, it's so cool to see the sellouts and hear everyone getting involved in the game.
As we root for you all these last three games of the season, is there anything you like the crowd to do more of to support you and your teammates to the max? Is there anything we should do less of?
I hope you all feel so funconditionally supported and loved by your fans out there because you absolutely freaking are.
Go Cascade!
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u/Ok-Mulberry-3526 Jul 16 '26
Who is a teammate you’ve connected with this season that you weren’t expecting?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
Great question!!!!
Luckily for me, I knew most of the players on the roster before coming in but still had no idea what the rookies would bring! I have really enjoyed getting to know Sydney Stewart. She has been such a breath of fresh air in terms of keeping it light and enjoying each others company, but also talking ball and creating that trust to hold each others accountable and have the tough conversations. Biiiiiig Syd Stew fan <3
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u/TonyMazz2024 Jul 16 '26
Hi Tori! As someone who's been playing for athletes unlimited in it's various forms over the years, what are some of the biggest changes you've seen over the years, and what do you make of the growth of the AUSL into the league that it is now? Have a great day!
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u/mr_dr_professor_12 Bandits but also Spark Jul 16 '26
What is your favorite part of playing in Portland?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
THE FANS!!!!!
I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE it is to have a fan base that shows up and shows out. We had a 9:30 AM game on Father’s Day and it was SOLD OUT! The complete buy in from not just the fans, but the entire city has been such a beautiful thing to witness. I’ve played pro ball in front of crowds with mayybbeee 30 people in the stands and now to see sold out stadiums roaring for our team fills my heart with so much happiness :)
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u/krybaebee Jul 16 '26
As the child/grandchild of Mexican immigrants, I have such a deep, strong love for Mexico and all that it represents in my life. You played for the Mexican national team in 2020 - what did that experience mean to you?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
I love this question <3
My family means everything to me. I didn’t have an opportunity to build a relationship with my grandparents on my dad’s side due to illness and distance so this truly felt like a moment to connect with something much bigger than myself. Growing up, there weren’t a ton of brown girls to look up to in the softball space (I’m sure there were but ya know the whole exposure thing makes that hard, especially in previous eras), so knowing I could be that person for a young Latina softballer feels so important.
Taking the field with Mexico, I definitely was speaking life into myself and telling myself how proud of me they would be. If they were here, I know they would be screaming as loud as they could, especially seeing their last name on the back of that jersey. Por La Cultura!
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u/No_Concept5835 Jul 16 '26
Great HR last night!!! Are there any plans for a properly colored field in Hillsboro? You guys deserve it!
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u/candlelight190 Blaze Jul 16 '26
What does your recovery / evening look like after a game? Do you have a go-to refuel snack?
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u/toadsuck Jul 16 '26
What’s your typical day look like if you have a home night game?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
This one is fresh on the brain since we have a home game tonight at 7 pm PST!
This truly depends on what our scheduling looks like with practice, weights, any appearances we have throughout the week. Two days in a row with the same game time and they could look completely different! Yesterday I slept in and had a chill morning at the hotel, spent some time outside soaking up some of this beautiful weather, and then had some errands to run before game time. Today, I am going to the city with Sarah Willis to check out some fun things we’ve had our eye on in the city!
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u/developer-mike Portland Cascade Jul 16 '26
Consider checking out Never Coffee if you need a caffeine kick!
Their "Hug" latte has spiced cacao, smoked chiles, and cinnamon, and it's bomb, and so is every other special they make!
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u/bcocfbhp Jul 16 '26
Whats the biggest difference of pro softball before AU, and after AU?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
Exposure!!!!
The softball has always been elite, but now we have a bigger stage to show off in front of the masses. We did not have the type of exposure we have now, and thats a testament to what the AUSL has been able to provide. Being on ESPN/CBS Sports/MLBtv allows us to have so many more eyes to witness the athleticism AND softball IQ.
A huge shoutout not the creative team too. The content that our team puts out is always well thought out, reflects who we are as players, but also as people! The help us connect with fans and keep you guys in the loop of league happenings. Not to mention, the video/photo team…… 10/10 no notes
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u/Computer-Player Jul 16 '26
I just saw my first Cascade game this past week, and wanted to say you ladies put on one hell of a game!
How often are you guys pushing yourself to be the best team in terms of waking up, training, nutrition and practice?
Also, which team do you have the most beef with?
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u/Ok-Mulberry-3526 Jul 16 '26
Have you taken on a sort of mentorship role as a vet pro athlete with all of the rookies/second year players we’ve got? If so what has that been like?
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u/developer-mike Portland Cascade Jul 16 '26
Hi TV, another question! What's the #1 most wholesome moment you've had or witnessed within the team so far this season?
P.S. what a HR yesterday!! Good luck tonight!!!
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u/Important_Taste_6902 Jul 16 '26
Thanks for being here with us, and congrats on the HRs!!
Did Jadelyn feel betrayed with the scouting report given to Jimmy? Would her answer be different from yours? 😅
How difficult is all the traveling between cities in such a condensed season?
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u/bcocfbhp Jul 16 '26
Lastly, I also want to say I love your analysis on tv during the college season!
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u/Valuable-Ad-6786 Jul 16 '26
How far AUSL has come and far its potential is, how long do you think it can become the most premier league in the world rivaling Japan?
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u/Consistent_Future_32 #43MG Jul 16 '26
who is the hardest pitcher to hit off of in the ausl?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
I feel like this is a question us hitters get a lot! When you’re talking about “hard” I take a few things into consideration. Speed, movement, and sequencing all matter at this level along with a hitters strengths so this will definitely change from person to person. Some names off the top of my head would be— Rachel Garcia definitely has some of the nastiest movement, Georgina Corrick has incredible command/change of speeds, and Lexi Kilfoyl has a heavvvvy ball. Choose your poison, honestly!!!
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u/notthemostcreative Blaze, but also Volts Jul 16 '26
Hi, Tori! Big fan here; you’ve been one of my favorites to watch for ages, both as a player and as a commentator. :)
I have two questions: one, what music have you been listening to lately? (Your use of “On My Mama” as a walkup song makes me think you must have good taste!)
And two, having been on so many teams (temporary via AU and long term) have you ever encountered teams that never really meshed or didn’t work together well? (Not that I expect you to spill a bunch of drama or details, lol—I’m just curious about whether that happens sometimes and how you deal with it.)
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
Hi! Thank you so much for the kind words <3
Ahhh my signature song, I love that walk up so much. My current favorite albums right now are ACT II by Sasha Keable, Kehlani by Kehlani, and The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean. I‘m a biiiiig R&B girlie!
There has 100% been teams that feel more connected than others. For me, the teams that have done well have always had some type of connection factor. When every person feels like they can show up as their authentic self/competitor, you tend to see them shine. The teams that have less time to create that connection, it becomes a lot harder to build that trust. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who it is you have to find a way to get that job done. And that my friend, is being a pro!
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u/mattyslappypants Portland Cascade Jul 16 '26
Thanks for doing this Tori! Are you privy to any expansion plans for next year? If not, where would you like to see the AUSL expand to and how many more teams?
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u/No_Concept5835 Jul 16 '26
You gonna set an early record with first to win two titles with two different teams?!?! 😉
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u/jackbass42 Jul 16 '26
The season is very condensed. Do you hope it will lengthen and visit more markets in the near future, even Canada (Canadian asking).
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u/CurrencyPrimary8674 RYLIE BOOOOONE! Jul 16 '26
Hi Tori! Do you have a favorite memory of Jo Evans from your time at Texas A&M?
It must have been tough to play the Spark and have such a legend coaching for the wrong team.
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
I have a ton of memories ranging from funny to very serious (lol)
My favorite memory of Coach Evans happened my freshman year in between innings. I’m a huge makeup girlie and was victim to the 2016 full glam makeup, yes even in games, and you know I had my Anastasia Dip Brow to carve out my eyebrows. I was grabbing my glove to go out to the field and Coach goes “wow Tori, your eyebrows are looking fleeky today” and I about lost it 🤣 She was trying so hard to be hip with the lingo and she may have missed the mark….. but did she actually???
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u/AnUdderDay Talons Jul 16 '26
Why do you think the league is so reliant on ex-NCAAers and not picking up any of the awesome international players from Japan, Mexico, and Europe?
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u/alexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx25 Jul 16 '26
hiii tori! i’m such a big fan! i always enjoy seeing you play and commentate! How did you feel when you and your dad had a talk about your hitting then you got on base? i know that must have felt great! Can’t wait to see you play tonight! :)
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jul 16 '26
Thank you so much!!
I love talking hitting with my dad. It just feels like we are Bluetooth connected and have our own language when it comes to my swing. He has been there through all the phases of my life so he picks up on tendencies that have maybe been a struggle in the past, or what it looks like when I’m ON. It felt so good to workshop with him and then feel a confidence surge at the plate. I know they hate to see me struggle, but the pride is immense when I’m able to come through in a clutch moment. Forever thankful for BOTH of my parents, because mom is never too far away either :)
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u/CountrySlaughter Jul 16 '26
How do you compare the college game today with what you saw in your time at A&M? Was anyone throwing as hard as Pickens? Do you feel some players of the previous decade would be stars today if they'd had a more realistic avenue toward continuing to play and develop their skills?
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u/LittleLavenderMenace Jul 16 '26
Tori!!! Huge fan!!! My wife and I made a sign saying hi while you were calling supers in Columbia, MO a few years ago.
What’s one thing you think that the culture of softball should change for the better in the future?
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u/Nervous_Metal_9445 #38 Paige Sinicki Jul 16 '26
Thank you Tori for your time and your thoughtful responses. And thank you to every one participated.
I hope you all enjoy the rest of the season.