A new professional women's baseball league is set to launch in 2026, marking the first competition of its kind for women since the dissolution of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1954, a league made famous by the movie "A League of Their Own." According to Justine Siegal, co-founder of the new league and the first woman to serve as a coach on a Major League team in 2015, the growing interest in women's sports has paved the way for the creation of this new competition.
The Women's Baseball World Cup, which debuted in 2004, has already showcased the talent of women in this sport, and the launch of the new league has sparked great interest among players. More than 400 athletes registered to try out within the first 24 hours after the league's player portal opened, demonstrating the enthusiasm and talent that exists in this field.
Julie Croteau, a pioneer in women's baseball, expressed excitement about the opportunity current players will have to compete against other women in this sport. Croteau recalled the challenges she faced in her career to play baseball in a predominantly male environment and believes that the creation of this league is an important step in the right direction.
The new Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL) plans to launch a six-team circuit in 2026, with the possibility of increasing that number to eight in the future. Additionally, an exploratory camp is expected to take place in the spring of 2025, followed by a draft later in the year. The league aims to address the specific needs of female athletes, recognizing the unique responsibilities that women often face in the world of sports.
Although women have had to overcome obstacles to play baseball, the WPBL is expected to open new opportunities not only for current players but also for future generations. The league's intention is to establish a strong culture of women's baseball in the United States and provide a space where women can compete at a high level in their sport.
The path to the creation of the league has been marked by the passion and determination of women like Justine Siegal and Julie Croteau, who have paved the way for women's baseball players to have a platform to shine. The WPBL joins other professional women's leagues in its goal to promote gender equality in sports and offer opportunities for women to excel in their disciplines.
