Mo’ne Davis and the Women’s Pro Baseball League debut in Springfield

The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) launched its inaugural season on August 1 2026 at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, marking the first professional women’s baseball games in the United States in 72 years. Four teams – the Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, Boston Hunters and San Francisco Firebells – each field 15 players for seven‑inning games using aluminum bats.

The opening match, played in rain‑soaked conditions before a crowd of more than 4,000, saw the Queens defeat the Heights 10‑8. Mo’ne Davis, a former Little League World Series star, started for the Queens, while New York’s catcher Denae Benites hit the league’s first home run. The league was co‑founded by former MLB coach Justine Siegal and secured a media‑rights deal with ESPN and the Scripps Sports Network. Ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Maybelle Blair, a 99‑year‑old former AAGPBL player, and Hall‑of‑Fame manager Tony LaRussa.

Players highlighted the historic significance, with Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato and USA national‑team third‑baseman Ashton Lansdell speaking about the opportunity to build a lasting culture. The WPBL aims to sustain women’s professional baseball beyond its six‑week season, honoring the legacy of the 1940s All‑American Girls Professional Baseball League.