A century‑old pitcher stepped back onto a diamond this week, bringing a piece of baseball history roaring back to life.
The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) opened its inaugural season in Springfield, Illinois, on August 1, 2023, with four teams battling for the first championship in more than seven decades.
A historic day in Springfield
Maybelle Blair, a 99‑year‑old former star of the All‑American Girls Professional Baseball League, was on hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch, meeting the league’s mascot for the first time and sharing a moment that fans will long remember.
The opening game featured the LA Queens and NY Heights, and it ended with the Queens scoring four runs in the final inning, a dramatic finish that underscored the excitement of the occasion.
Denae Benites hit the league’s first home run, while Ayami Sato pitched three innings and praised the opportunity to compete alongside other dreamers.
Jean Fruth, creator of the documentary *SEE HER, BE HER*, highlighted the league’s broader impact, noting that trailblazers like Mo’ne Davis — who threw a shutout in the 2014 Little League World Series — continue to inspire new generations.
The season will run through September, with 30 games scheduled and plans to expand the roster of teams next year, signaling a lasting commitment to women’s professional baseball.