Mia Davidson-Smith enjoyed one of the most successful college softball careers in history at Mississippi State, setting a Southeastern Conference all-time record with 92 home runs and earning NFCA First-Team All-American honors in her final season in 2022.
Now, Davidson-Smith plays professionally both in the Japan Diamond Softball League and in the United States with Athletes Unlimited, a player-led league without owners or permanent teams. She is also a member of the U.S. national team, most recently earning a silver medal earlier this month at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup in Italy.
The Dispatch caught up with Davidson-Smith to discuss her professional career and her thoughts on how professional softball can keep growing.
Editor’s note: This conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity and brevity.
The Commercial Dispatch: What were the biggest adjustments you had to make moving from college to professional softball?
Mia Davidson-Smith: It’s the motivation to do it, because in college you had a schedule. You had everything given to you, and you had coaches to help push you. As I turned professional, a lot of stuff I do on my own. I have to push myself to do everything, go to practice, work out and stuff. That’s one of the hardest things. Luckily I’ve found some friends to help keep me accountable during the offseason, which is nice.
The Dispatch: What are some of the differences you’ve noticed between the most established pro league in Japan and the different pro leagues we have right now in the U.S.?
Davidson-Smith: I really love playing in Japan. The attention to detail is so particular, and it’s something I’m grateful for over there. Here in Athletes Unlimited, it’s a super-short season, only 15 games. We play 30-40 games over there. Over there, how they treat the game and how they carry themselves and treat each other, I think that’s really cool.
The Dispatch: What has it been like to represent your country and play for Team USA in the World Cup this year?
Davidson-Smith: It’s just being grateful for the opportunities you get there. Wearing those three letters across your chest, not many people can say they did that. It’s a really cool experience getting to play teams from all over the world, different cultures all coming together. It’s really something special.
The Dispatch: Athletes Unlimited will be switching to a more traditional model starting next year. Do you think they can be the future for professional softball in the U.S.?
Davidson-Smith: I really think they can be the future. We have all the athletes, we have all the exposure from broadcasting. People don’t always understand the concept of Athletes Unlimited, because I know sometimes it can be confusing with the draft and the points system. Just trying to slowly transition into traditional softball, they can get a ton more fans and also more games played.
The Dispatch: What do you feel like pro softball needs to keep growing?
Davidson-Smith: More advocates for the game. People who support us. Clearly, people watch our sport and that’s what’s so special. We just need people to help fight for it. We need the exposure and the advocacy to make sure our game keeps growing.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
