Harding Signs with Atlanta Smoke, Calls Culture “Intentional and Player-Centered”
Kalei Harding Wants All the Smoke
Former Florida State Seminole utility player Kalei Harding has found her new professional softball home in Atlanta. Harding and the Atlanta Smoke announced the signing on Friday. The Smoke, who were an independent team, are now one of the founding teams of the new Professional Softball League, and their great roster now has another addition.
Harding, originally from Murfreesboro, Tenn., played at Florida State University from 2021 to 2024. In her time as a Seminole, she compiled a career .311 batting average with 46 home runs, 208 RBIs, 57 doubles, six triples, 24 stolen bases, and 168 runs scored in 251 games played, starting 246 of those games.
2024 was her best season, stat-wise, as she slashed .342/.420/.648 with 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 47 runs scored. She also made First Team All-ACC and the ACC All-Tournament Team that season. Harding was named the ACC Tournament MVP in 2022 after hitting a home run in every game, and helped lead the Seminoles to the Women’s College World Series in both 2021 and 2023, gaining elite experience on softball’s biggest stage.
Harding saw time as both an outfielder and third baseman, where she recorded 248 putouts with 76 assists and 20 errors in her career for a .942 fielding percentage. After Harding graduated from FSU, she spent some time in the AUSL, playing for the Blaze last season.
I spoke with Kalei last night, who is also a Graduate Manager with the Mercer University Bears Softball team, and she took the time to answer a few questions on this signing and the feeling behind it.
“It honestly feels amazing to sign with the Smoke. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity and excited to be part of something that feels so intentional and player-centered. It means a lot to be somewhere that truly values who I am both as a player and as a person,” said Harding.
Playing in an environment and with a team that feels deeper than just on the field aspects makes the trust factor stronger and natural. Harding played with the Smoke in Mexico recently, and that opportunity showed her a lot.
“What makes this team special is the culture & inclusivity. There’s a real sense of family and trust here, which is huge in pro sports. Playing in Mexico with them definitely helped solidify that for me. Being able to compete, travel, and build those relationships in that environment showed me how aligned I felt with this group and how much I wanted to keep being part of it,” Harding explained.
For those of you wondering, “why not the AUSL?” Harding just feels that this is a better fit for her at this time. There are more professional opportunities, and this is just the right move for her right now.
“As for my last pro experience, I’ll just say that this feels like a much better fit for where I am right now — both mentally and professionally,” she said. “I feel supported, valued, and in a space where I can continue to grow while playing my best softball. That makes all the difference for me!”
Catch Harding and the Smoke this summer as the PSL ramps up in June. Stay tuned and up to date here at Mays Sports Media for more news and coverage.
