Story perspectives

Historic Women’s Baseball League to Launch in 2026

10/4/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) will debut in May 2026, the first professional women’s baseball league in over 70 years.
More than 600 women tried out in Washington, DC, with 100 players chosen for the draft.
The league seeks to create opportunities for women in baseball, addressing gaps in high school and college programs.
Players will receive housing and salaries up to $95,000 in the first season.
The WPBL will feature six teams, with locations to be announced. Maybelle Blair, a former AAGPBL pitcher, is the Honorary Chair of the WPBL Advisory Board.

History

Historical Context

Established in 1943 by Philip K. Wrigley, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) provided women with professional baseball opportunities during World War II, attracting over 600 players and peaking at 900,000 attendees in 1948. Despite its closure in 1954, the AAGPBL laid the groundwork for future women's sports leagues, highlighting ongoing struggles for gender equality in athletics.

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Story summary

The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) will debut in May 2026, the first professional women’s baseball league in over 70 years.
More than 600 women tried out in Washington, DC, with 100 players chosen for the draft.
The league seeks to create opportunities for women in baseball, addressing gaps in high school and college programs.
Players will receive housing and salaries up to $95,000 in the first season.
The WPBL will feature six teams, with locations to be announced. Maybelle Blair, a former AAGPBL pitcher, is the Honorary Chair of the WPBL Advisory Board.

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