Amanda Scarborough was an ace in the circle at Texas A&M and now she’s an ace in the booth for ESPN. The softball analyst is a mainstay across ESPN’s softball properties, including college, pro and Little League. She takes us through her summer of calling all three major events and how she has seen each grow in her time calling the game.
You’ve had the opportunity to call the Women’s College World Series, AUSL and Little League Softball World Series this summer. What was that journey like for you?
This summer has honestly felt like a celebration of softball at every single level. Going from the WCWS in Oklahoma City — the pinnacle of the college game — to the AUSL, where I get to call the pros who are shaping what a career in softball can look like and then out to the Little League Softball World Series with the next generation coming up behind them — it’s a reminder of just how much runway this sport has, across ALL levels. Each stop has its own energy: the pressure and polish of the WCWS, the athleticism and swagger of the pros in AUSL and then the pure joy and nerves of watching 11- and 12-year-olds live out a dream at LLSWS. Getting to be a through-line across all three levels in one summer has been a gift I don’t take for granted and I keep pinching myself that I get to do this!
How have you seen each league grow since you started calling softball?
The WCWS keeps proving it’s appointment viewing, not a niche event — the crowds, buzz and TV numbers keep climbing every year with star power on the field like we’ve never seen before. AUSL is where the growth really jumps off the page: With two expansion teams and new home markets this year, the talent level in the league is unparalleled and having true home stadiums has given fans a real sense of identity and connection to their teams. The investment and feeling of sustainability is something pro softball hasn’t had before. And LLWS — the talent keeps rising too, but what stood out most this summer was hearing more kids than ever say their dream job is playing pro softball in the AUSL and seeing so many AUSL players named as their favorite athlete or the person they’d most want to meet. It really capped the summer off — you could see, in real time, the impact the AUSL is having on the next generation of this sport.
What has been your favorite memory from your summer of softball?
Without a doubt, it was calling the first professional softball game ever aired on broadcast television (ABC), at my alma mater, Texas A&M. I stood in that booth calling the game alongside Beth Mowins, who called my games in College Station at Texas A&M two decades ago as a player. Going from being the one she was calling plays on, to being in the booth beside her calling a pro game in that same town (but a new and improved stadium), was a full-circle moment I don’t think I’ll ever get over. Even after 15-plus years of calling games, it reminded me there are still “first time” moments out there that leave you completely in awe. This was definitely one of them. Standing in that booth, at that field, with her — I got chills.