The inaugural match of the Women’s Pro Baseball League unfolded on a damp evening in Springfield, Illinois, where the Los Angeles Queens erased a five‑run hole to beat the New York Heights 10‑8.
A rain‑soaked rally
Key moments defined the contest. Isabella Villareal delivered a two‑run double in the seventh inning that broke an 8‑8 tie, while Maggie Foxx sparked the offense with a two‑run single in the opening frame, marking the league’s first hit and RBIs.
A sudden downpour halted play for about 90 minutes, forcing players and fans to wait under the stadium lights before the action resumed.
The ceremony before the first pitch featured Maybelle Blair, a 99‑year‑old who pitched a game for the Peoria Redwings in 1948, and veteran manager Tony LaRussa, adding a touch of historic gravitas to the occasion.
Legacy and looking ahead
The Queens’ moniker pays homage to Lizzie Murphy, who in 1922 became the first woman to play against major league opponents, while the Heights honor civil‑rights pioneer Dorothy Height. All games will be staged at Robin Roberts Stadium, and the Queens are slated to meet the Boston Hunters on Wednesday.