A historic comeback
After a seven‑decade pause, the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is preparing to make its debut in 2026, marking the first professional women's baseball circuit in more than 70 years.
The league was launched by Justine Siegal, the pioneering coach who became the first woman to hold a position on a Major League Baseball staff in 2015, and Keith Stein, a longtime champion of women's sports.
Tryouts held in Washington, D.C., in 2025 drew over 600 applicants from ten countries, culminating in a roster of 60 players representing eleven nations, including standouts Mo'ne Davis and Kelsie Whitmore.
All four inaugural teams will compete in a single neutral park in Springfield, Illinois, a location chosen for its deep historical ties to women's baseball rather than logistical convenience.
The franchises — Boston Hunters, New York Heights, Los Angeles Queens, and San Francisco Firebells — each embody cities with rich sports traditions, adding regional pride to the league's identity.
Games will be staged at Robin Roberts Stadium, named for a Hall of Fame pitcher who grew up in the city, reinforcing the venue's symbolic role as the "cradle of women's baseball."
The season will run from August through mid‑September, featuring more than 30 regular‑season games followed by a playoff tournament.
Tickets start at $22 per game, with flexible pack options, and broadcasts will be available on ESPN, aiming to broaden the league's reach beyond local fans.
Player compensation includes housing, gameday meals and a share of sponsorship revenue, with salaries positioned alongside minor‑league baseball standards.
The league's organizers anticipate strong international interest, with fans expected from countries such as South Korea and Australia, underscoring the global appeal of the sport.