Women’s baseball is about to make a historic comeback in the United States, and the Bay Area is right at the heart of it. On October 21, 2025, the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) officially announced the four cities that will field teams for its much-anticipated inaugural season: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. The league is set to debut in spring 2026, marking the first time in over 70 years that women will have a professional baseball league of their own in the U.S.—not since the iconic All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the beloved film "A League of Their Own," dissolved in 1954.
The WPBL was co-founded by Justine Siegal, who broke barriers herself as the first woman to coach for a Major League Baseball team with the Oakland A’s in 2015, and Keith Stein. Their vision: to create a sustainable, high-profile platform for women’s baseball, one that could capture the imagination of sports fans across the country. "We are so excited to finally announce the WPBL’s first four teams – New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco," Siegal said in a league statement. "Each of these cities are storied sports cities and we can’t wait to connect with the fans who live there and baseball fans across the country."
Why these four cities? According to Stein, the decision was straightforward. "It was sort of an easy choice. It’s obviously one of the world’s great cities that has a super rich sports history," he said of San Francisco. "It’s a great marketplace. It’s has a significant media presence. We got a lot of support from our fan base for San Francisco." The league also pointed to the recent surge in women’s sports enthusiasm in the Bay Area, citing the success of the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Bay FC as evidence that the community is ready to embrace professional women’s baseball. "We feel there is tremendous support there in the future of women’s sports, and we think that community will really embrace the women’s baseball league," Stein added.
But there’s a twist: when the WPBL kicks off in 2026, none of the four cities will actually host games during the inaugural season. Instead, all contests—including the playoffs and all-star game—will be played at a neutral venue, which is yet to be announced. The league says this approach will help generate national excitement and allow fans from different regions to experience the new league firsthand. There’s still hope for local fans, though. Exhibition games could be staged in the four cities, with Oracle Park in San Francisco floated as a potential site.
The WPBL’s structure is lean and focused. Each team will carry 15 players on its roster, keeping squads tight and competitive. Over 600 players from nearly a dozen countries attended the league’s summer 2025 tryouts at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. From that impressive field, the top 120 players will advance to the league’s draft in October 2025. The draft list is nothing short of star-studded, featuring names that have already made waves in baseball circles.
Leading the charge is Kelsie Whitmore, who made history in 2024 with the Oakland Ballers as the first woman starting pitcher in the Pioneer League. Whitmore’s trailblazing doesn’t stop there—she also became the first woman to play in an MLB partner league when she signed and started with the Staten Island Ferry Hawks. Her rapid ascent has made her a role model for young athletes everywhere. Also in the mix is Mo’ne Davis, the Little League sensation who became a household name a decade ago for her electric pitching at the Little League World Series. Japanese pitching ace Ayami Sato and promising young infielder Ashton Landsell are also among the top prospects, demonstrating the league’s international appeal and high level of competition.
"Each of these cities are storied sports cities," Siegal reiterated, "and we can’t wait to connect with the fans who live there and baseball fans across the country." The league’s founders are confident that their approach—starting at neutral sites, then moving into minor league and college ballparks in home regions—will help them build a sustainable base and avoid the pitfalls that doomed previous efforts.
It’s not just about the cities or the players, though. The WPBL is aiming to reignite a passion for women’s baseball that’s been dormant for generations. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which ran from 1943 to 1954, was a phenomenon in its day, drawing thousands of fans and leaving an indelible mark on American sports culture. Its legacy lives on in pop culture, but now, with the WPBL’s launch, a new generation of athletes and fans will get to write their own chapter.
The selection of San Francisco, in particular, feels like a nod to the city’s deep-rooted love for baseball and its progressive spirit. The Bay Area has long been a hotbed for women’s sports, and the city’s embrace of teams like the Golden State Valkyries and Bay FC has shown that there’s a hungry, passionate fan base ready for more. The WPBL’s decision to include San Francisco in its inaugural lineup is a testament to the community’s support and the region’s status as a sports powerhouse.
Looking ahead, the league plans to eventually bring games to each team’s home city, using existing minor league and college ballparks. This phased approach is designed to build anticipation and ensure a strong foundation for future growth. For now, though, all eyes are on the draft and the announcement of the neutral site that will serve as the league’s first home.
With over 600 players vying for just 60 roster spots across four teams, competition is fierce. The WPBL’s draft will be a major event in itself, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary talent and determination of women athletes who have often had to fight for every opportunity. The inclusion of international stars like Sato and American icons like Davis and Whitmore only adds to the intrigue and excitement.
As the clock ticks down to opening day in spring 2026, anticipation is building—not just in San Francisco, but across the country. The WPBL is more than just a new league; it’s a statement of intent, a bold step forward for women in sports, and a reminder that baseball truly is for everyone. Will the league capture the imagination of fans the way its predecessor did? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the stage is set for something special.
For now, the wait continues as the league finalizes its draft and prepares to announce its inaugural venue. But with star players, passionate founders, and the backing of some of America’s greatest sports cities, the Women’s Professional Baseball League is poised to make history all over again.
