“We didn’t go into it thinking we would break any records. We just wanted to have a baby.”
Pro softball player Odicci Alexander took the meaning of Athletes Unlimited to a whole new level.
The pro pitcher, who plays for the Bandits of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), helped lead her team to the Championship series in its inaugural season, which ended on July 28, per the MLB.
Three days later, she revealed on TikTok that she was pregnant throughout the seven-week season.
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In an interview with PopSugar, published Aug. 12, Alexander opened up about her secret pregnancy, her decision to play while pregnant and what she learned about herself as she faced a mountain of adversity.
“I concealed my pregnancy for most of the season because I wanted to protect my peace and the space I needed to continue competing at a high level,” she told the outlet.
According to E! News, Alexander shares her soon-to-be baby with husband Hakeem Bennett.
“There can always be a lot of outside noise and pressure that comes with visibility, but I knew what my body was capable of,” she added.
Alexander, who finished the inaugural season 4-2 with 20 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched, per the AUSL, confirmed that she has since entered her second trimester.
“The moment felt right to share. Now, it’s about embracing the blessing, showing the strength behind the journey, and hopefully inspiring others to trust their own timing,” she told PopSugar.
@odiccialexander_ Baby Bennett is baking and I can’t wait to meet you 🥹🥹 #baby #pregnant #athlete #fyp #softball ♬ Im outta here LITTLE RASCALS - Mistress_Mortis
Alexander first announced her pregnancy in a July 31 TikTok that showed her concealing her baby bump while putting on her Bandits’ uniform.
“Baby Bennett is baking and I can’t wait to meet you,” she wrote in the caption.
On Aug. 1, Alexander posted a highlight video that was captioned, “Big mama does it just a lil different.”
Alexander shares what she learned while playing pro softball pregnant
This might be Alexander’s first pregnancy, but playing pro softball is nothing new to her.
The pitcher, who played five years of ball for James Madison University between 2017 and 2021, made her pro softball debut in June 2021 for the USSSA Pride, per the Associated Press.
In 2023, she won the Athletes Unlimited Softball championship as the top individual points leader with 1,994 points, per ESPN.
@odiccialexander_ It’s only right to use this sound lol #baby #pregnant #athlete #fyp #softball #bigmama ♬ Wait Til I Have This Baby - Doll Face Toni
While speaking to PopSugar, Alexander opened up about the misconceptions many people have about playing sports while pregnant.
"One big misconception is that pregnancy automatically means you can't compete at a high level, that you're fragile or limited," she told the outlet.
"Pregnancy doesn't erase your strength or skill, it can actually reveal just how powerful and adaptable your body really is,” she added.
She went on to clarify that athleticism isn’t limited to how fast or strong you are.
@odiccialexander_ Open 😂 #baby #athlete #pregnant #fyp #softball #norbit
♬ Norbit - Lil Tym
“It’s about adaptability, resilience, and the ability to compete no matter the circumstances,” she said. “This season wasn’t just about wins and losses, it was proof that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined.”
As for the advice she has for other soon-to-be parents, Alexander says to share their excitement at their own pace.
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"Your pregnancy is your story, and you don't owe it to anyone to share before you're ready, or at all,” she told PopSugar. “There's no 'right' timeline, there's only your timeline."
