Olympians, international stars to open Mexican Softball League 2026 season on Thursday
The Mexican Softball League (LMS – Liga Mexicana de Softbol) will open its third season on Thursday, 22 January, with four games. The eight teams, featuring Olympians and international players on their rosters, will begin the 28-game regular season with the first two-game series.
LMS rosters include Olympians such as Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Rachel García (USA); bronze medallists Janet Leung and Natalie Wideman (CAN); Ilaria Cacciamani, Elisa Cecchetti, Marta Gasparotto, Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, Giulia Longhi, and Erika Piancastelli (ITA); as well as Suzanna Brookshire (MEX).
International stars competing in the league include Jazmyn Jackson, Janae Jefferson, and Baylee Klingler (USA); Eva Voortman, Suka van Gurp, and Lisa Hop (NED); and Rosangela Jardines, Yilian Tornes, and Leannelys Zayas (CUB).
On Opening Day, Charros Softbol Femenil will visit the defending champions Diablos Rojos Femenil; El Aguila Softbol Femenil will host Algodoneras de Unión Laguna; Naranjeros Softbol Femenil will make their debut against Bravas de León; and Sultanes will host Olmecas de Tabasco.
Each team will play 28 games across 14 two-game series. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs starting on March 10, culminating in the Serie de la Reina (best of five) beginning March 17.
A total of 35 regular-season games, the Home Run Derby, the All-Star Game, and the entire postseason of the LMS will be available on lmb.tv. The special presale price is 399 Mexican pesos (available until 3 February), while the regular price will be 450 Mexican pesos.
Diablos Rojos de México are pursuing a back-to-back championship under the guidance of Venezueland Denisse Fuenmayor, who is entering her third consecutive season as head coach.
“We’re very calm. After the preseason games we played, we feel ready and prepared to win the championship again,” said Diablos player Edith de Leija, a member of the Mexican national baseball and softball teams who owns two championships—one from her time with Charros de Jalisco and the most recent with the Diablos.
At Sultanes Femenil, the team with two consecutive runner-up finishes, the goal is to finally break their “curse” this year under new head coach Rafael Guzmán.
“We hope this season is the one after reaching two finals. We want the third time to be the charm, and we will give everything to get there. There’s a good connection between the players and the coaching staff, and hopefully that helps us a lot,” said Yanina Treviño, who boasts being the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in league history.
The LMS continues to grow, and all teams have strengthened their rosters to compete for the title, with up to eight foreign players per team. In addition, this season will feature an All-Star Game and a Home Run Derby in mid-February to provide a greater spectacle for fans.
“This year, I think we’ll see the best season so far. Better foreign players keep coming in, so the level keeps improving,” said Dominique Alcocer of Olmecas de Tabasco.
The LMS debuted in 2024 with Charros crowned champions after defeating Sultanes in four games, while Diablos Rojos claimed the most recent title, also sweeping the Monterrey-based team.