Women's Professional Baseball League Set for 2026

The Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is set to launch in the summer of 2026, marking the first professional women's baseball league in the U.S. in over 70 years, with six teams expected to be based predominantly in the Northeast. Co-founded by Justine Siegal, a pioneer in women's baseball, and lawyer Keith Stein, the league aims to provide a platform for talented female players and is inspired by the successes of other women's sports leagues like the WNBA and NWSL. Siegal expressed excitement about the league's creation, highlighting the long wait for a professional space for women in baseball. Notable advisors, including World Series-winning manager Cito Gaston and Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato, have been enlisted to lend credibility to the initiative. The WPBL also plans to secure a national television deal ahead of its inaugural season. This development follows a significant cultural shift towards supporting women in sports, evidenced by the growing attendance and viewership in leagues such as the WNBA.