History was made on Thursday night, November 20, 2025, as the Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) held its inaugural draft, marking the first professional women's baseball league in the United States since the 1950s. In a moment that will be remembered for generations, 27-year-old pitcher and outfielder Kelsie Whitmore was selected first overall by San Francisco, cementing her place in baseball history.
A Historic Moment 71 Years in the Making
The WPBL draft represents a monumental milestone for women's sports in America. This is the first professional baseball league for women since the legendary All-American Girls Professional Baseball League—immortalized in the 1992 film "A League of Their Own"—dissolved in 1954. For seven decades, talented female baseball players have waited for this opportunity, and Thursday night's draft proved that their time has finally arrived.
"Kelsie worked her whole life for this moment," said WPBL co-founder Justine Siegal, herself a trailblazer as the first woman to coach for an MLB team with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. "She is the first draft pick this century for a women's pro baseball league, and the WPBL is honored to give her this opportunity. Kelsie represents all the girls and women out there who dream of playing professional baseball."
Kelsie Whitmore: A Trailblazer's Journey
Whitmore's selection as the number one pick is the culmination of a remarkable career that has seen her break barriers at every level. The San Diego native made her professional debut at just 17 years old in 2016 with the Sonoma Stompers, becoming the first woman to play professional baseball since the 1950s. But she didn't stop there.
Throughout her career, Whitmore has consistently shattered glass ceilings. In 2022, she signed with the Staten Island FerryHawks, becoming the first woman to compete in professional baseball's Atlantic League. Most recently, she played for the Savannah Bananas and the Oakland Ballers, bringing her unique two-way abilities to teams across the country.
International Success and Recognition
Whitmore's talent extends beyond domestic achievements. Representing the United States Women's National Team, she has won two silver medals at the Women's Baseball World Cup and captured gold at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto. Her consistent excellence on the international stage has made her a household name in women's baseball circles worldwide.
"You ask a 6-year-old version of me about this opportunity happening right now, she would, one, probably not believe you, but, two, just be so, so, so, so excited for it," Whitmore said emotionally after being drafted.
Mo'ne Davis Returns to Baseball's Biggest Stage
In another headline-making selection, Philadelphia's Mo'ne Davis was chosen 10th overall by Los Angeles. Davis captured the nation's imagination in 2014 when, at just 13 years old, she became the first girl to win a game at the Little League World Series and pitch a shutout. Her journey from Little League sensation to professional baseball player has come full circle.
"I was very shocked to be drafted at No. 10," the now 24-year-old Davis admitted. "I know it's a lot of work that I have to do, and I'm very excited to get out there and meet my new teammates."
Listed as a center fielder, Davis expressed her readiness to pitch if called upon, adding another dimension to Los Angeles's roster. Her selection proves that childhood dreams can indeed become reality with perseverance and dedication.
The Draft: A Global Celebration of Women's Baseball
The six-round draft saw 120 players selected across four teams representing San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. What made the event truly remarkable was its international scope, with players selected from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Curaçao, and the United Kingdom.
Top Five Draft Picks
- 1st Pick: Kelsie Whitmore (RHP/OF, USA) - San Francisco
- 2nd Pick: Ayami Sato (RHP, Japan) - Los Angeles
- 3rd Pick: Kylee Lahners (INF, USA) - New York
- 4th Pick: Hyeonah Kim (C, South Korea) - Boston
- 5th Pick: Denae Benites (P, USA) - San Francisco
Japan's Ayami Sato, selected second overall by Los Angeles, brings an impressive pedigree to the league. The 35-year-old right-hander is a five-time World Cup winner and the only player in history to earn three tournament MVP honors. Her selection highlights the global talent that will elevate the WPBL's level of competition.
MLB Commissioner Offers Support
The league received a significant endorsement from Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who opened the broadcast with words of congratulations and support.
"It's my pleasure to congratulate everyone with the Women's Pro Baseball League for tonight's inaugural draft," Manfred stated. "We are thrilled that baseball is part of this extraordinarily exciting time for women's sports. Both on the field and in our front offices, baseball is a game for everyone. I am delighted that girls will soon be able to watch the Women's Pro Baseball League and aspire to play and participate in the future."
The Road Ahead: Season Structure and Format
The WPBL is scheduled to begin play on August 1, 2026, following the Women's Baseball World Cup in Rockford, Illinois, from July 22-26. All games will be played at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois—a fitting tribute to the Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher who advocated for women's sports throughout her life.
League Format and Schedule
The league will operate with a unique format designed to maximize competition while managing costs:
- Season Length: Seven weeks total
- Regular Season: Four weeks of competitive play
- All-Star Break: One week featuring skills competitions and exhibitions
- Playoffs: Two weeks culminating in a championship series
- Roster Structure: Teams drafted 30 players, cutting to 15 active roster spots
Teams will be based at Robin Roberts Stadium throughout the season, creating a concentrated environment that fosters camaraderie while keeping operational costs manageable for the startup league.
From 600 Hopefuls to 120 Draftees
The path to the draft began this summer in Washington, D.C., where the WPBL held a four-day tryout camp. More than 600 hopefuls from around the world attended, showcasing the massive hunger for professional opportunities in women's baseball. The competitive tryouts featured pitching, hitting, fielding assessments, and scrimmages that allowed scouts to evaluate talent comprehensively.
Inside JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida—the Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox—nearly 20 drafted players gathered for a celebration. The atmosphere was electric as players took turns signing their first professional contracts and posing with their new team hats.
Breaking Free from a Lifetime of Proving Themselves
For players like Whitmore, the WPBL represents more than just a professional opportunity—it's liberation from the constant pressure of being "the only one." Throughout their careers, these athletes have been the lone woman on Little League, high school, college, and even professional men's teams.
"Before every pro ball season I've gotten into there is an amount of stress that comes into it, like, 'I need to make sure I'm proving myself, that I earned this contract to be in this league,'" Whitmore revealed. "There's an amount of, 'Am I throwing the ball up to par, up to what they expect?' and comparing myself to all the other men I will be competing and playing with."
She continued with palpable relief: "It's stressful because it takes you out of who you are as a player. I feel like there's so much peace now going into this Women's League because I'm finally done trying to impress or prove or compare myself to others that I shouldn't have been doing all along. Now coming into this league, I could just be myself. I feel like myself is finally like enough."
The Perfect Timing: Women's Sports Surge
The WPBL's launch comes at an optimal moment in sports history. Women's sports are experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity, viewership, and investment. The 2025 WNBA Finals achieved its highest ratings in 25 years. The Women's College World Series set viewership records. Sports bars dedicated exclusively to women's sports are opening across the country, with venues like Wilka's Sports Bar in New York and Watch Me! Sports Bar in Long Beach hosting WPBL draft parties.
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) successfully completed its inaugural season and is expanding to six teams. This groundswell of support creates fertile ground for the WPBL to establish itself as a permanent fixture in American sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Women's Pro Baseball League begin play?
The WPBL is scheduled to begin its inaugural season on August 1, 2026. This timing follows the Women's Baseball World Cup in Rockford, Illinois, which runs from July 22-26, allowing international players to represent their countries before joining their WPBL teams.
How many teams are in the WPBL?
The league will launch with four teams representing San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. Each team drafted 30 players but will carry active rosters of 15 players during the season.
Where will WPBL games be played?
All games will be played at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The centralized location allows teams to minimize travel costs while maximizing practice and game time during the seven-week season.
Who founded the Women's Pro Baseball League?
The WPBL was co-founded by Justine Siegal and Keith Stein. Siegal made history in 2015 as the first woman to coach for an MLB team with the Oakland Athletics. Together, they've worked to create opportunities for women to play professional baseball.
Has there been a women's professional baseball league before?
Yes, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) operated from 1943 to 1954 during and after World War II. The AAGPBL was famously depicted in the 1992 film "A League of Their Own." The WPBL is the first women's professional baseball league in the United States in 71 years.
A Message to the Next Generation
Perhaps the most significant impact of the WPBL draft isn't what it means for the 120 players selected—it's what it represents for every young girl watching at home. For the first time in over seven decades, girls who love baseball have a clear professional path to follow.
"It just gives little girls hope that they actually can play professional baseball one day and there's actually an outlet that they can do that," said Ashton Lansdell, a former Ole Miss softball standout who was drafted seventh overall by Los Angeles. "They don't have to just hope that this might happen one day, like we all did."
Co-founder Justine Siegal summed it up perfectly: "Dream big, this could be you if you keep playing. Follow your passion. Baseball is a game for all of us."
The Beginning of a New Era
As Thursday night's draft concluded, the overwhelming sentiment wasn't just celebration—it was relief that this moment finally arrived. After 71 years, women who love baseball no longer have to choose between their sport and a professional career. They no longer have to be the only woman on a men's team, constantly proving they belong.
The Women's Pro Baseball League represents more than just a new sports league—it's the fulfillment of generations of dreams, the validation of decades of dedication, and the promise that young girls everywhere can now truthfully say: "I want to be a professional baseball player when I grow up."
History was made on November 20, 2025. The game has changed forever. And for 120 women around the world, the dream is finally real.
