Did you see the announcements last week that there will be a new Women’s Pro Baseball League to launched in 2026?

Here’s a link to the original story as well as the complete story (below) that was also picked up and discussed on national media sources such as CBS Sports, the Toronto Star, the New York Times and Yahoo! Sports just to name a few.

My question: how will this impact fastpitch softball?

Is it good for our sport?

It’s great to have more options for young female athletes, absolutely, but will it be a distraction or, worse, cause less interest or participation in fastpitch?

I’d love to get your opinion and share some of them from both sides. Email me at brentt.eads@linedrivemedia.com with your thoughts either way.

Thanks!

Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

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WOMEN’S PRO BASEBALL LEAGUE LAUNCHING IN AMERICA IN 2026

Initially published Oct. 29, 2024, on the Women’s Pro Baseball League website

The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is thrilled to announce the launch of its league with competition set to begin in the summer of 2026. The WPBL is the only professional women’s baseball league in America.

The WPBL will re-write history by creating an elite league that provides the world’s best female players with the platform they deserve and serve as a catalyst for the creation of a women’s baseball culture in America.

The League is Co-Founded by baseball pioneer, Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach a professional men’s baseball team and to pitch batting practice against a Major League Baseball team. She is also the Founder of Baseball for All.

“I am so excited that there will finally be a professional women’s baseball league – it is a dream come true for all the girls and women who play America’s Pastime,” said WPBL Co-Founder, Justine Siegal.

Legendary baseball pitcher Ayami Sato and former World Series Winning MLB Manager, Cito Gaston, are serving as special advisors to the WPBL. League Co-Founder, Keith Stein, is a lawyer and businessman with a history in professional sports leagues and team ownership.

“We believe that the success of other women’s professional leagues such as the WNBA and NWSL demonstrates the incredible interest and support for women’s sport,” commented Co-Founder, Keith Stein.

The WPBL plans on securing a national broadcast deal for its inaugural season which will consist of a regular season, playoffs and championship throughout the summer of 2026. The WPBL will be a national league with teams based across the U.S. For the 2026 season, the WPBL will launch with six teams predominantly in the Northeast.

“The Women’s Pro Baseball League is here for all the girls and women who dream of a place to showcase their talents and play the game they love,” added Siegal.

“We have been waiting over 70 years for a professional baseball league we can call our own. Our time is now.”

The WPBL is committed to the highest standards of diversity and governance. The league is proud to empower female athletes, coaches and staff, while promoting women’s sport. For more information, visit www.womensprobaseballleague.com.