Women's baseball league teams named - Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture
With opening day about three weeks away at Robin Roberts Stadium, the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League named the four teams that will compete this summer in Springfield. The New York Heights, San Francisco Firebells, Los Angeles Queens, and Boston Hunters will compete against each other from Aug. 1 through September, in what the league […]
Audio By CarbonatixThese are the logos for newly named teams in the inaugural season of the Women's Professional Baseball League, which will debut at Robin Roberts Stadium at 1415 North Grand Ave. E in Springfield. Credit:WPBLWith opening day about three weeks away at Robin Roberts Stadium, the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League named the four teams that will compete this summer in Springfield. The New York Heights, San Francisco Firebells, Los Angeles Queens, and Boston Hunters will compete against each other from Aug. 1 through September, in what the league hopes will be a lasting rebirth of women’s pro baseball. Springfield will be the location in the first season, then the four teams will move to their respective cities. Each team is named for the following pioneers in women’s rights:New York Heights:Inspired by civil rights and women’s rights leader Dorothy Irene Height. San Francisco Firebells:Inspired by Lillie Hitchcock Coit (“Firebelle”), a volunteer firefighter champion of San Francisco’s volunteer firefighters and benefactor of the iconic Coit TowerLos Angeles Queens:Inspired by Lizzie Murphy (“Queen of the Diamond”), the first woman to play against major league players. Boston Hunters:Inspired by Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, a pioneering physician who the first woman to apply for Harvard Medical School and establish a successful medical practice in the United States. “Today marks a historic milestone for professional baseball, and all of women’s professional sports, as we introduce four team identities that honor the legacies of specific women who chose to forge new paths for themselves and generations of women who followed,” said Justine Siegal, commissioner of the WPBL. “The WPBL stands on the shoulders of these incredible women who fought for their place in history and on the diamond long before us. These names are not just symbols, they represent the grit, audacity, and excellence that our athletes will bring to the field this August. ”Games in the WPBL will be seven innings and feature aluminum bats. The season will begin following the conclusion of the Lucky Horseshoes’ season, with games played on Thursday nights and a weekend night, most likely Sunday. From 1943-54, women’s pro baseball was played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, made famous by the 1992 film “A League Of Their Own. ” Springfield had a team, the Sallies, for one season in 1948. From a league release:The WPBL’s opening weekend is set for a blockbuster debut on Saturday Aug. 1, at 5 p. m. CST when Team USA’s powerhouse duo, Denae Benites and Kylee Lahners, of New York take on a star-studded Los Angeles lineup featuring center fielder women’s baseball superstar Mo’ne Davis, versatile playmaker for the USA Baseball National Women’s Team, Ashton Lansdell, and Japanese legend Ayami Sato. In the opening weekend’s second game on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 p. m. CST, the WPBL’s No. 1 overall pick, Kelsie Whitmore of San Francisco, will battle Boston’s international sensations including Korean pitcher Hyeonah Kim and Canadian National team star Alli Schroder. A detailed schedule for the WPBL’s 2026 inaugural season isnow available onlinewithtickets available for purchase. Throughout the season at each game, the WPBL will also proudly honor legendary female icons who have broken barriers, inspired generations, and helped shape culture, sports and society. . At historic Robin Roberts Stadium, fans will witness these trailblazing stories celebrated as part of the league’s monumental 2026 inaugural season debut. For more information on the WPBL or to purchase tickets for the 2026 historic inaugural season, visitwww. womensprobaseballleague. com. Adrian Dater, a longtime former sportswriter in Denver and author of seven books, moved to Springfield in 2023 to get his first taste of life in the Midwest. More by Adrian Dater