By: Lily Harry
During the excitement of MLB All-Star Week in Atlanta, a transformative celebration will unfold off the field. On Monday, July 14, 2025, Major League Baseball and Athletes Unlimited Softball League will join forces with Women Raise the Game to host the inaugural Women Raise the Game x MLB x AUSL Honors Lunch. The exclusive event, set at Punch Bowl Social at The Battery Atlanta, will celebrate the visionary women who are advancing baseball and softball at every level.
This event comes on the heels of MLB’s first-ever strategic investment in a professional women’s softball league, marking a notable milestone for the sport. The collaboration with AUSL represents a significant step forward in supporting women’s sports, from infrastructure to visibility to career development. It is an important move toward fostering a sustainable future for the women’s game.
A central highlight of the afternoon will be a fireside conversation featuring MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr., AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng, and Olympic silver medalist Jennie Finch, who serves as both MLB Youth Softball Ambassador and AUSL Advisor. The discussion will be led by Emmy Award-winning MLB Network analyst and former All-Star Harold Reynolds.
Photo Courtesy: Forrest Smith for Women Raise The Game
Opening the event, Women Raise the Game Founder and CEO Tish Galindo will deliver remarks that set the tone for an afternoon of recognition and reflection.
The Honors Lunch will also recognize five outstanding women whose work is shaping the present and future of the game. Among the honorees are Kim Ng, the newly appointed Commissioner of AUSL; DeRetta Rhodes, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Culture Officer for the Atlanta Braves; Natasha Watley, an Olympic medalist and advisor to AUSL and MLB; Jennie Finch, whose influence in youth development and advocacy continues to grow; and Sarah Padove, Senior Manager of Baseball & Softball Development at MLB.
“Today in Atlanta, we celebrate five women whose leadership is contributing significantly to the next chapter of sport. Each of them is building infrastructure, driving growth, and redefining what’s possible in the game. I launched Women Raise the Game to help move the industry forward and honoring leaders like these is part of that mission. Recognition is a marker of growth, and growth is the work.” – Tish Galindo, Founder & CEO, Women Raise the Game
Photo Courtesy: Forrest Smith for Women Raise The Game
“This event is about legacy and leadership,” said Galindo. “We’re recognizing the women whose vision and expertise are creating lasting impact in baseball, softball, and beyond. Their influence is helping to expand what’s possible in the game and is driving forward the important cultural and economic changes we need in professional sports.”
From red carpet arrivals to the final champagne toast, the afternoon promises to deliver both celebration and substance. The Honors Lunch represents more than just recognition; it is a message that investment in women’s sports is timely and necessary. It also reaffirms the importance of institutional support in shaping the success of athletes, leagues, and the communities they serve.
At the heart of this initiative is The 360 Agency, the AI-driven creative marketing firm behind Women Raise the Game. With a mission to help brands grow through cultural insight and innovation, The 360 Agency continues to play an important role in elevating women in sports by creating platforms that drive impact, opportunity, and sustained influence.
For more, visit the360agency.com and womenraisethegame.com.
