Women's Professional Baseball League kicks off historic inaugural season in Springfield

The Women's Professional Baseball League opened its first season in Springfield, Illinois, with four teams playing before a sold-out, rain-soaked crowd.

On Saturday, the Women’s Professional Baseball League launched its inaugural season at Springfield’s Robin Roberts Stadium, with the Los Angeles Queens facing the New York Heights before a packed, rain-drenched audience. The opening day attracted thousands of supporters, some traveling from as far as South Korea, Australia and Delaware, and featured a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Maybelle Blair, a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player.

Four franchises - the Queens, Heights, Boston Hunters and San Francisco Firebells - will compete over a six-week schedule centralized in Springfield, chosen for its central location despite the teams representing major markets. League commissioner Justine Siegal presented a torch to representatives of the Baseball For All initiative, underscoring the league’s gender-equity mission. Merchandise demand forced a two-item-per-fan limit, and players helped staff roll up the field tarp as the rain eased. Many athletes balance university studies or other jobs while pursuing professional baseball, marking the first time women will play together in a sustained professional league.