Emma Ferguson
17 September 2026
It was August 1st, 2026, when the world came together to introduce the first pro women’s baseball league in 72 years. The Women’s Pro Baseball League–better known as the WPBL–consists of 60 active players and a total of 120 selected overall players. Being a historical movement, this league shows the rise of women’s sports and women in sports, as well as growing a game loved by many.
The WPBL was founded in 2024 by Justune Siegal, the first woman to be employed by an MLB team (the Oakland Athletics) to coach, and Keith Stein, owner of the Canadian Baseball League’s Toronto Maple Leafs. In a statement about the WPBL, Siegal stated that the WPBL is “a dream come true for all the girls and women who play America’s Pastime,” and claims that this league's main goal is to “re‑write history by creating an elite league that provides the world’s best female players with the platform they deserve.” As well as this internal goal to empower and support female athletes, Stein stated that other women’s professional sports leagues, such as the WNBA and NWSL, “demonstrate the incredible interest and support for women’s sport,” claiming that these sports' success shows the need for a women’s baseball league. Siegel added to this, saying, “We have been waiting over 70 years for a professional baseball league we can call our own. Our time is now.”
Currently, the WPBL consists of four separate teams, one in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Boston, each with a name honoring a woman in history. The Los Angeles team, the Queens, are named after Lizzie Murphy, who was named the “Queen of Baseball.” Murphy broke barriers when she became the first woman to play for an MLB (Major League Baseball) team during an exhibition game. The Queens issued a statement saying that “we carry the Queen of Baseball’s legacy, channeling her confidence, ambition, and style. It’s time to make our mark. It’s time to claim the throne.” The San Francisco team has chosen the name of the Firebells, a tribute to firefighter Lillie Hitchcock Colt, a.k.a. Firebelle Lil, saying she was “known for rebellious attitude and open defiance of the gender norms of the time” and “Like Firebelle Lil, we show up and show out, bringing our energy, pride, and ambition with us every time we hit the field.” The New York team, the New York Heights, have chosen to name themselves after Dorothy Height. Height was “one of the most influential leaders of the civil and women’s rights movements,” and was dedicated to creating equality for all. The Heights have stated that as they “take the field, [they’re] inspired by her confidence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to her goals. Just like Dorothy Height, [they’re] ready to rise to the occasion and change the game,” as said on the Height’s Instagram account. As for Boston, they have chosen to name themselves the Boston Hunters after Harriot Hunt, who was a physician and women’s rights advocate. Hunt, despite being denied admission to Harvard twice solely due to her gender, became one of the first women to practice medicine professionally in the United States. The Boston Hunters issued a statement that told the world, “Like Harriot, we’re ready to make our mark on the history books. Resilient in the face of adversity, we meet each challenge with determination and intensity. We never stop, we never settle.”
Though the WPBL is modeled after Major League Baseball (MLB)–despite having zero affiliation–a few obvious rule changes set it apart. First, and most noticeably, the number of teams differs from MLB’s 30 teams to the WPBL’s simple 4 team league. With this drastic change in numbers, the roster size and season length also change. The WPBL has a total of 15 to 25 players and includes a salary cap of $95,000, in comparison to MLB’s 26 active roster/40-man active and reserve player roster and current absence of a salary cap. The season structure for the WPBL consists of a 4-week regular season with a 2-week long post season whereas the MLB has a 26 to 27-week long regular season with a postseason lasting at most one month. Along with this, there are typically only two to three games per week, usually Thursday to Sunday. Each game also takes place at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, even though there is no current WPBL team representing this location.
Through the first season this league has experienced, rapid growth has occurred. Throughout the season, many fans have felt connected to players such as Kelsie Whitmore (San Francisco Firebells) or Mo’ne Davis (Los Angeles Queens), and many believe that this could be the reason for the league's drastic growth. From opening day, the WPBL is no stranger to sellout crowds, a number they have often been able to reach. As well as this, the women’s sports market has raised exponentially with the addition of the WPBL. Entering a boom period, the women’s sports market is projected to hit $3 billion dollars, a 340% increase within the last four years!
These major growth trends for the Women’s Pro Baseball League could potentially lead to a whole new fanbase next season, as MLB’s future currently looks shaky. Currently, MLB is undergoing a large disagreement between owners and players over the topic of a salary cap. Many team owners have come out and said that they believe there should be a salary cap, while the players believe there should not be one. With the owners and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) being relentless in their opinions, many suspect a lockout will happen after they meet this off-season, resulting in no baseball until an agreement is reached. With MLB’s future being up in the air, the WPBL would be the only form of professional baseball fans would be able to watch.
All in all, the WPBL is not just an improvement in women's sports, but in the sports world in general. Fans still wonder what the future holds for women’s sports. Will the WPBL be a type of replacement for MLB? What comes next for such a growing league? However, what fans do know is that from the rich history to the strong-looking future, the Women’s Pro Baseball League gives these wonderful players a true league of their own.
