Photo Credit: Getty Images
Professional softball pitcher Odicci Alexander-Bennett has revealed she is expecting her first child while actively competing in the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Softball League season. Known for leading the Bandits to victory in the 2023 championship, Alexander shared the news in her second trimester, choosing the moment, she says, that "felt right" to make it public.
The 27-year-old first hinted at her pregnancy in a July 31 TikTok video filmed in her team's locker room, playfully displaying her baby bump with the caption, "Baby Bennett is baking, and I can't wait to see you." The announcement came just two days after the Bandits completed their league season on July 28.
Remarkably, Alexander has continued competing at a high level, now participating in the Athletes Unlimited All Star Cup, a four-series competition involving 60 elite players, set to conclude at the end of August. Balancing training, travel, and pregnancy, she has been vocal about challenging misconceptions surrounding athletic performance during pregnancy.
"Pregnancy doesn't erase your strength or skill," she told PopSugar in an August 12 interview. "It can actually reveal how powerful and adaptable your body is." She emphasized the importance of maintaining personal boundaries, explaining that she wanted to "protect my peace" amid public attention, ensuring a safe and focused environment for both her career and her child.
Alexander's journey adds to the broader conversation about female athletes competing during pregnancy. While many sports historically sidelined pregnant players, increasing numbers of professionals are redefining expectations, supported by advances in sports medicine and evolving public attitudes.
Her commitment to the sport, coupled with her determination to embrace motherhood on her own terms, has resonated with fans. Supporters have praised her for demonstrating that athletic excellence and pregnancy need not be mutually exclusive.
As she moves forward, Alexander remains focused on finishing the season strong while preparing for the arrival of her first child.
