Sarah Hodel and Rachel Koehler were early birds at Robin Roberts Stadium, showing up more than four hours before the first game of the Women’s Professional Baseball League. Hodel took her time strolling through the concourse, pausing occasionally for photos to capture the moment.
“At high school, I gave a speech about women in baseball,” shared Hodel, a 43-year-old athletic trainer from Duluth, Minnesota. “So, when I heard about this league a couple of years ago, I made it a goal to be here.”
Their anticipation culminated on Saturday evening when Mo’ne Davis and the Los Angeles Queens overcame a 10-8 win against Denae Benites and the New York Heights in the inaugural game of the first women’s professional baseball league in nearly three decades in the United States.
Reflecting on her childhood softball days, Koehler, 33, from St. Paul, Minnesota, expressed, “I always dreamed of playing professional baseball, but the opportunities were scarce. Now, seeing this league come to life is truly amazing and inspiring for young girls.”
Maggie Foxx secured the league’s first hit with a two-run single for Los Angeles in the opening inning. Benites later launched the WPBL’s first home run, a solo shot to center field in the fourth inning.
Despite trailing 8-4, the Queens mounted a comeback with two runs in the sixth inning and four more in challenging wet and windy conditions for a dramatic victory in the seven-inning game.
“When I stepped onto the field, I was overwhelmed with emotion because of the significance of this moment for all of us,” shared Foxx. “It holds immense value for each one of us.”
Fans showed unwavering support on the league’s opening night, braving the steady rain that drenched the 101-year-old stadium. The enthusiastic crowd of over 4,000 began queuing up hours before the game, eager to snag a Mo’ne Davis bobblehead as they made their way to the metal bleachers.
Antonietta Mabry, 47, an accountant from Columbus, Ohio, attending with her family, remarked, “Introducing my daughter to female professional athletes is a thrilling experience. It’s rare and invaluable to have such positive female role models for her.”
The league’s other two teams, Firebells and Boston Hunters, were set to play on Sunday. Players from each team lent a hand to the grounds crew in removing the tarp from the field post-rain.
Honoring the legacy of women’s baseball, the WPBL commemorated the past, present, and future of the sport during a rain-delayed pregame ceremony. The crowd erupted in cheers as the lineups for the Queens and Heights were announced.
The highlight of the night came when 99-year-old Maybelle Blair threw the ceremonial first pitch to San Francisco’s Kelsie Whitmore, a prominent figure in the WPBL. Blair, a member of the WPBL advisory board, had played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1943-54, which inspired the iconic film “A League of Their Own.”
Maybelle’s presence and gesture resonated deeply with the players. Benites expressed, “Maybelle has been a constant support since the beginning of our journey, paving the way for us. She’s truly special, and I’m thrilled she could join us today.”
Lindsey Keirsey, a 42-year-old high school history teacher from Fenton, Missouri, shared her passion for the AAGPBL and “A League of Their Own.” Attending the game with her family, she highlighted the importance of women breaking barriers in sports, emphasizing the broader impact beyond the game itself.