The first-ever game of the newly formed Women’s Pro Baseball League is set to take place this Saturday in Springfield, Illinois, pitting the Los Angeles Queens against the New York Heights. The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN Select at 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, marking a milestone for women’s professional baseball in the United States.
A New Chapter for Women’s Baseball
The league distinguishes itself with a compact format: games consist of seven innings, use aluminum bats, and feature a 90‑foot base path with a 60‑foot‑6‑inch pitcher’s mound. These adjustments aim to balance competition while showcasing elite talent on a national stage.
The Queens’ roster draws from a global pool of players, including Japanese ace Ayami Sato, who was selected second overall in the league draft. Sato, a six‑time Women’s Baseball World Cup champion, brings a wealth of experience to the mound, while the team also fields athletes from Australia, Canada, Curacao, and Mexico.
Eric Young Sr., a veteran of the game, serves as the Queens’ manager, guiding a squad that honors Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to face major‑league players in a 1922 charity exhibition at Fenway Park. The team’s nickname pays tribute to her pioneering spirit.
Legacy and Leadership
The Heights, managed by Rachelle “Rocky” Henley — the only female manager in the four‑team league — carry a name that commemorates civil‑rights activist Dorothy Height. Their top draft choice, Kylee Lahners, arrives after a standout collegiate career at the University of Washington and Laguna Hills High.
Both clubs feature players with diverse backgrounds, from Mo’ne Davis, the historic Little League standout who later interned with the Dodgers and earned a master’s degree from Columbia University, to a host of international prospects. Their stories echo the league’s mission to blend athletic excellence with broader social significance.
The inaugural contest will be broadcast on ESPN Select, giving viewers a chance to witness a historic moment that bridges past milestones — such as Lizzie Murphy’s 1922 appearance and Dorothy Height’s civil‑rights legacy — with the future of women’s professional sport.