The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) opened its doors this summer with four teams vying for supremacy, each calling Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, their home field.
Among the newest additions to the coaching roster is Jeff Inglin, a Petaluma native whose playing career spanned a decade in the minor leagues and overseas before he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1996.
Bringing Business Acumen to the Diamond
Beyond his playing days, Inglin has built a diversified portfolio that includes the Athletic Edge baseball training facility, a chain of Beyond the Glory sports bars, and a landscaping enterprise that stretches across Northern California and Arizona. His varied experience, he says, equips him to manage the logistical demands of a professional women’s team while still delivering on‑field instruction.
Inglin’s appointment as third‑base coach was welcomed by head coach Matt Williams, a former Giants third baseman and longtime Major League coach. Williams, who retired from traditional coaching to launch Elevation 9, a youth baseball and softball instruction company, met Inglin through mutual friends and quickly recognized a shared vision for growing the sport at the grassroots level.
The two coaches have already begun shaping a 22‑team fall league aimed at youth players, leveraging Inglin’s expertise in youth sports and Williams’ network in professional baseball. Their collaboration, Inglin notes, feels like an “awesome experience,” blending the fast‑paced nuances of women’s baseball with the organizational rigor he honed over years in business.
The Firebells’ debut game against the Boston Hunters ended in an 11‑3 victory, a promising start that underscored the league’s competitive spirit. Inglin, observing the quicker tempo of women’s baseball compared to traditional dimensions, highlighted the need for split‑second decision‑making on the hot corner.
A Broader Vision
Beyond the immediate on‑field duties, Inglin is championing community outreach, partnering with local schools and organizations to provide batting‑cage access and mentorship programs. His dual role as a coach and entrepreneur reflects a growing trend where former athletes transition into leadership positions that bridge sport and commerce.
With the inaugural season underway, the WPBL looks to expand its footprint, adding new franchises and exploring markets across the United States. For Inglin, the journey is just beginning, but the blend of experience, business savvy, and passion for the game positions him as a key architect of the league’s future.