The Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) is preparing to host tryouts next month at the Washington Nationals’ stadium as part of its efforts to commence its inaugural season. The league anticipates launching with six teams by spring 2026. Tryouts are scheduled for August 22-25, where prospective players will compete for 150 spots in the league’s upcoming draft this October.
A considerable number of over 600 aspiring players have signed up for the four-day event. The initial three days will feature drills, athletic performance evaluations, and detailed player assessments at the Nationals’ Youth Baseball Academy. This series of activities will lead to the first series of eliminations. The remaining players will partake in a live game at Nationals Park on August 25, which will conclude with the final roster decisions.
Alex Hugo, a distinguished player from Team USA women’s baseball and a special adviser to the league, is entrusted with leading the tryouts. Expressing her enthusiasm, Hugo stated, “We are really excited to see all of the players at tryouts this summer and see their incredible skills. We’re building a future where girls and women who love baseball can dream as big as they want and now, finally, have a league to call their own.”
The WPBL was established by Justine Siegal, recognized as the first woman to coach in Major League Baseball. Once operational, it will mark the first women’s professional baseball league since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which ceased in 1954 and was famously depicted in the film “A League of Their Own.”
As part of its preparations, the WPBL has already secured a media partnership with Fremantle, known for producing popular television shows such as “The Price Is Right” and “Family Feud.” Additionally, Assia Grazioli-Venier, a prominent global investor in women’s sports, has been appointed as the chair of the league.