A historic step for women in baseball
The Women’s Professional Baseball League begins its inaugural season on Saturday, marking the first professional competition for top women baseball players in 70 years.
The league assembles the world’s best female players, giving them a stage that has been absent from the sport for decades.
Justine Siegal, a co‑founder of the league and a trailblazer in baseball, says the initiative is about more than just a game; it is about reshaping perceptions and creating pathways for the next generation.
Siegal’s own journey includes becoming the first woman to coach a Major League Baseball team in 2015, when she served as a coach for the former Oakland Athletics.
She emphasizes that the league’s success will depend on visibility, investment, and community support, hoping to inspire young girls to dream of the diamond.
The inaugural season will feature teams across the country, each playing a schedule designed to showcase elite talent and competitive spirit.
Organizers say the league will also partner with media outlets, including WBUR, to broadcast games and tell the stories behind the athletes.
With the backing of fans and sponsors, the league hopes to build a sustainable model that can thrive beyond its first season.