Reaching new “Heights” in the Women’s Professional Baseball League
Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress- Wikimedia Commons
On July 8, 2026, the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) announced the teams that will compete in their very first season. Each team was named after a trailblazing woman in history.
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height (1912-2010), the inspiration for the New York Heights, was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. Over the course of her career, she pushed for the integration of YMCA facilities, took part in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and fought against gender discrimination within the civil rights movement.
The Boston Hunters take their name from Harriot K. Hunt, the first woman to apply to Harvard Medical School. Although she faced discrimination and was deterred from attending lectures, she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dream. She established a successful medical practice that paved the way for women in medicine.
The San Francisco Firebells honor Lillie “Firebell” Hitchcock Coit (1843-1929), who championed a San Francisco volunteer fire department in a time that excluded women from doing so. From San Francisco herself, her indomitable spirit and strong sense of civic duty are inspiring to us all.
Lizzie Murphy (1894-1964), aka the “Queen of the Diamond,” is the first and only woman to play in a big-league ballpark with Major League Baseball players. The Los Angeles Queens intended to emulate her confidence, attitude, and determination this season, and so far, they have, claiming a sizable portion of “firsts” within the league.
The first win is credited to the Los Angeles Queens, who won 10-8 in a nail-biting game on Aug. 1. The New York Heights took a staggering lead by the bottom of the second inning, but the Queens fought back. In the seventh, a few skillful hits and a two-run double from Meggie Meidlinger placed the team in the lead for the last out.
The first grand slam is also credited to a Queens player, first baseman Sarah Edwards. With a count of 3-1, she decided to take the chance at the plate and nailed it to right field. As a result of that swing, the score jumped from 2-0 to 6-0 in the first inning. The Boston Hunters put up a fight, but the game concluded with a score of 12-4, earning yet another victory for the Los Angeles Queens.
However, Catcher Denae Benites of the New York Heights claimed the first home run hit in the league. In the first game of the season on Aug. 1, her dead-center hit in the bottom of the fourth made history.
Former Little League star Mo’ne Davis of the Los Angeles Queens scored the first run in the league, and Kim Ra-Kyung of the New York Heights pitched the first strikeout.
The San Francisco Firebells take the lead so far in the season with ten wins and five losses, and the New York Heights follow close behind with eight wins and seven losses.
The beginning of the season of the WPBL included many firsts by many incredible players, and these women have carved their own place in history. Whether you root for the Heights, Firebells, Hunters, or Queens, there is no doubt that there are incredible, hardworking players on every team.
The first championship game is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, and is available on ESPN platforms. The matchup is to be determined.