Austinites will soon be able to cheer for a new pro sports team. 🥎
Yesterday, it was announced that the Texas Smoke , a Women’s Professional Fastpitch team, is currently being formed.
Here’s everything we know:
The crew
The team is founded by former Cincinnati Reds player and MLB Hall of Famer Brandon Phillips and entrepreneur Jade Cargill.
- Head coach: Tori Tyson , currently head coach of Howard University Softball
- Players include:
- UT softball star Janae Jefferson
- ASU player Morgan Howe
- Puerto Rico National Team medalist Alyssa Rivera
- See the full roster .
- General manager: Eric Mays
The season
The Texas Smoke is the fourth franchise in Women’s Professional Fastpitch. The teams’ values are oriented around supporting women’s sports and building community. (Fun fact: the name “Texas Smoke” comes from a legendary defense of Austin in the 1840s.)
The season opens on Thursday, June 15.