Odicci Alexander, the standout pitcher who led her team to the Athletes Unlimited Softball League championship series, has revealed she played an entire season while pregnant.
Alexander, 27, pitched for the Bandits during the league’s inaugural season, finishing with an impressive 4-2 record, 20 strikeouts, and 31.2 innings pitched. But behind her dominant performance, she carried a deeply personal secret.
In a new interview with Popsugar, Alexander explained her decision to keep her pregnancy private until she felt ready.
“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 shared. “There can always be a lot of outside noise and pressure that comes with visibility, but I knew what my body was capable of.”
Now in her second trimester, Alexander says she decided to share her journey to embrace the moment and hopefully inspire others:
“Your pregnancy is your story, and you don’t owe it to anyone to share before you’re ready, or at all. There’s no ‘right’ timeline — there’s only your timeline.”
She added that competing during pregnancy pushed her beyond what she imagined possible:
“Playing while pregnant has shown me a whole new level of strength — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It reminded me that athleticism isn’t just about speed or strength, it’s about adaptability, resilience, and the ability to compete no matter the circumstances.”
Her story has sparked widespread admiration online, particularly among women athletes challenging misconceptions about pregnancy and performance.
Alexander hopes her journey empowers others to trust their bodies, their choices, and their timing.
