Pro Women’s Baseball Is Back After 72 Years
Women’s professional baseball is back in the United States for the first time since 1954. It is an exciting moment for players, fans, and one very special woman named Maybelle Blair.
Maybelle Blair is 99 years old and once played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. That league was created during World War II and became famous because of the movie A League of Their Own. Maybelle pitched for the Peoria Redwings in 1948.
Even though she recently broke four ribs, Maybelle was determined to attend the opening game of the new Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) in Springfield, Illinois. She said nothing was going to stop her from being there. Sitting in a wheelchair, she proudly threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the league’s first game.
The new league began its first season on August 1 with four teams. All of the games will be played in Springfield this year. League leaders hope to add more teams in the future as more fans discover women’s professional baseball.
The opening game featured the LA Queens and the NY Heights. New York player Denae Benites made history by hitting the first home run in league history. She also collected four hits and stole three bases. However, the LA Queens scored four runs in the last inning to win the exciting game.
Another standout player is Ayami Sato from Japan. She said she was thankful to finally play in a professional women’s baseball league. Former Little League star Mo’ne Davis is also one of the league’s players. She became famous in 2014 as the first girl to pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series.
Many people believe this league is about much more than baseball. It gives girls and young women a chance to dream about playing professionally one day. It also honors the women who kept baseball alive decades ago.
For Maybelle Blair, seeing women’s professional baseball return was an unforgettable moment. With tears in her eyes, she called it the happiest day of her life. After waiting 72 years, women’s professional baseball has finally returned, inspiring a new generation to step onto the field and chase their dreams.