Patty Gasso to Coach First-Ever Softball Game in Space on NASA’s OrbitX Mission
In a historic announcement that stunned the sports and science communities alike, Oklahoma Sooners softball legend Patty Gasso has been named the head coach for the first-ever softball exhibition in space — a groundbreaking event scheduled aboard the NASA OrbitX Athletic Trial Mission in early 2026.
Partnering with SpaceX, NASA, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the exhibition — titled “Zero Gravity Softball” — will be held aboard a modified module of the International Space Station (ISS). The goal? To test the feasibility of organized sports in low-gravity environments and celebrate global women’s athletics in the most futuristic way imaginable.
Gasso, who recently retired from Oklahoma after leading the Sooners to eight NCAA titles, expressed her awe and enthusiasm:
“When I got the call, I thought it was a prank. Coaching softball in space? I never imagined my final game would be among the stars.”
The game will feature a mixed international roster of Olympic-level players from the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Italy. Modified rules will be in place — with hover-field bases, tethered balls, and soft foam bats designed for space safety. Every pitch, swing, and catch will be streamed live in a global broadcast on Netflix Sports and NASA TV.
In preparation, Gasso and the athletes will undergo a six-week astronaut training regimen at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, learning everything from zero-G mobility to emergency protocols. She joked during the press event:
“I’ve taught players how to slide into second — but floating to first base? That’s a new one!”
The event has sparked massive buzz worldwide, with hashtags like #SoftballInSpace and #CoachGassoOrbitX trending across social media. Elon Musk himself tweeted, “We’ve launched Teslas and telescopes… but never Patty Gasso. Let’s change that.”
Critics argue the stunt is costly and symbolic, but Gasso pushed back, framing it as a visionary step forward:
“This isn’t just about softball — it’s about showing young girls that sports can literally take them out of this world.”
Scheduled for March 2026, the zero-gravity exhibition is set to make history as the first team sport ever conducted in orbit — and Gasso, once again, will be at the center of softball’s evolution, proving her legacy truly knows no bounds.
