Historic Debut of Women’s Professional Baseball League

Sarah Hodel and Rachel Koehler arrived at Robin Roberts Stadium well in advance of the opening game for the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL). Hodel, keen to capture each moment, paused frequently for photos as she moved through the stadium’s concourse.

Hodel, a 43-year-old athletic trainer from Duluth, Minnesota, shared her excitement, “Back in high school, I was on my speech team, and my informative speech was on women in baseball.” She emphasized how seeing the league’s formation two years prior turned her attendance into a personal goal.

The inaugural game took place on Saturday night, with Mo’ne Davis leading the Los Angeles Queens to a 10-8 victory over Denae Benites and the New York Heights. Despite rain dampening the debut, the event marked the first women’s professional baseball league in the U.S. in nearly three decades.

Koehler, 33, explained her connection to the sport, “Growing up, I played softball. I wanted to play baseball because going professional was always a dream, but there were no opportunities.” She expressed her admiration for the league, noting how it serves as an inspirational milestone for young girls.

During the game, Maggie Foxx secured the league’s first hit with a two-run single in the first inning for Los Angeles. Benites achieved the WPBL’s first home run, a two-run hit to center field in the fourth inning.

Facing an 8-4 deficit, the Queens rallied with two runs in the sixth inning and four in the final frame under challenging weather conditions. “Stepping onto the field brought tears to my eyes because of how meaningful this moment was,” Foxx remarked. “It means everything to us.”

The rain enriched the historic atmosphere of the 101-year-old stadium hosting WPBL’s debut season. Despite the weather, over 4,000 fans gathered early, eager for Mo’ne Davis bobbleheads and a seat in the metal bleachers.

Antonietta Mabry, 47, and her family from Columbus, Ohio, attended the game. She commented, “Having a daughter, it’s exciting to expose her to female professional athletes. It’s rare, and gives her positive role models.” Her daughter, Rosalee, had her glove signed by San Francisco’s Amanda Gianelloni.

Sunday’s games feature the Firebells and Boston Hunters. Players aided the grounds crew in removing the field tarp post-rain. “Watching professional women play baseball is thrilling,” Rosalee Mabry shared.

A rain-delayed pregame ceremony honored the legacy and future of women’s baseball. The loudest cheers were reserved for 99-year-old Maybelle Blair, who threw a ceremonial pitch to San Francisco’s Kelsie Whitmore. Blair remains an influential figure, having played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the movie “A League of Their Own.”

Denae Benites expressed appreciation for Blair, “Maybelle stuck with us from the start. She’s paved a path and is a special person. I’m thrilled she could make it and participate.”

Lindsey Keirsey, a history teacher from Fenton, Missouri, together with her family, witnessed the historic event. Her daughter Hadley shared, “Attending Cardinals games is fantastic, but seeing women break ground in sports like this is incredible. It shows women can achieve so much more.”