CatchersHome Weekly — July 19–25, 2026
July 28, 2026
Thank you for being here — this week gave us the first professional softball game on national TV, a grand slam delivered in direct response to disrespect, and a rookie catcher eight weeks out of college starting on the biggest stage in the sport.
🎥 See our YouTube Catchers News Cast
One week, two catchers in a national championship, and a grand slam fired back at the team that walked to face a slumping Cal Raleigh. This was a big one.
⭐ Player Spotlight
Two Gold Gloves, a Play-In Thriller, and the Biggest Stage in Pro Softball
From No. 5 overall pick to the AUSL Championship on ABC in eight weeks — Jocelyn Erickson’s run, tied into one story.
🏆 Top 10 Stories of the Week
1. For the First Time: Professional Softball on ABC
Professional softball reached network television for the first time — the AUSL Championship Series opened on ABC July 25, with Jocelyn Erickson catching for Chicago.
⬇ IMAGE SAMPLES v2 for story 1 — pick one, then delete this whole block before publishing.
Female outlaw vs. hawk. Original art — no league, network, or team marks.
2. They Walked to Get to Him. He Hit the First Pitch Out.
Down 0-for-15, Cal Raleigh got an intentional walk — and sent Caleb Ferguson’s first pitch into the second deck for a bases-loaded grand slam.
▶ Watch the report: They Walked to Get to Cal Raleigh. He Hit the First Pitch Out.
3. The Johnny Bench Award Winner Is on the Olympic Radar Now
Kendall Wells was named to the USA Softball national team athlete pool — the direct pipeline to the 2028 Olympics — after her record-setting freshman season.
4. 30 Home Runs — and Rockies History Along the Way
Hunter Goodman hit three home runs for the second time this season, becoming the first player in Rockies history to do it twice in one year.
▶ Watch the report: Hunter Goodman Hits Three Home Runs Again
5. Eight Teams Called. That’s What a Complete Catcher Is Worth.
Adley Rutschman drew eight trade suitors at the deadline despite missing time this season — because contenders don’t line up for one tool.
▶ Watch the report: Eight Teams Want Adley Rutschman at the Deadline
6. 411 Feet to Dead Center. Game Over.
William Contreras hit a three-run walk-off homer to sweep the Marlins — one week after a quiet All-Star appearance. His bat answered louder than any quote.
▶ Watch the report: William Contreras Walk-Off HR Sweeps Marlins
7. Eleven Days Left: Yankees and Rays Both Want Jeffers
Ryan Jeffers returned from a hamate fracture, posted a near-.950 OPS, and suddenly had two playoff-contenders fighting each other at the trade deadline.
▶ Watch the report: Ryan Jeffers and the Eleven-Day Countdown
8. Erickson Re-Ties the Score – Chicago Wins
Erickson scored a must have run in the 11th inning as Chicago beats Portland Cascade 6-5 to advance to the AUSL Championship Series on ABC.
▶ Watch the report: Jocelyn Erickson and the Chicago Bandits Are Going to the AUSL Championship
9. 13 Home Runs, 16 Stolen Bases — and He Catches for a Living
Blake Mitchell is chasing a 20-20 season in High-A — an almost unheard-of combination for a catcher, powered by a 32.9 percent walk rate.
▶ Watch the report: Blake Mitchell — 13 HR, 16 SB as a Catcher
10. Two Outs. Eighth Inning. Tie Game. Dingler Breaks It.
Dillon Dingler leads all MLB catchers at 3.8 fWAR, and on July 23 he put that value on the scoreboard with a go-ahead double to beat Kansas City.
▶ Watch the report: Two Outs, Tie Game, Eighth Inning: Dingler’s Double Breaks It Open
🧤 Gear Corner
Wilson A2K vs A2000: Which One Actually Wins Behind the Plate?
Both share the same M23 catcher pattern — so what separates them? Leather grade, break-in commitment, and about $100. Here is how to pick.
💬 We’d love to hear from you — email us at comments@catchershome.com.
🍃 One More Thing
Eleven innings,
one run scores and ends the night —
the work earns its stage.
Keep working. We’ll see you behind the plate next week.
— The CatchersHome Team