*guy who doesn't know anything about sports and has never cared about sports in his life* hey did you know womens professional baseball is returning after 70 years and the games are going to be streamed for free on youtube and the season starts august 1st
I think this is so cool and it's awesome they're streaming games for free! I also think it's incredible that this picture is the one they used to advertise the opening day. It's like those videos where someone threatens the camera while their partner shows off their collection of rocks they found.
for anyone who isn't aware, wnba players have been speaking out recently about the abuse they've been receiving online from sports betters who bet on them and weren't happy with the outcomes of the games. notably, chelsea gray blasted a guy who called her a racial slur because she didn't score as many points as he bet she would, and courtney williams posted a voice note of her response to a guy who said some absolutely vile stuff to her
i know most of the wnba fans on here are more casual watchers, but it's still something i think everyone who pays attention to the league should be aware of because it's astounding how many comments i've seen saying that the players should just suck it up because that comes with the territory and all athletes have to deal with it. while it's true that this problem is by no means unique to the wnba, that doesn't mean it's okay or that players should have to tolerate harassment and bigotry (i swear every single one of these comments is overtly racist, misogynistic, and/or homophobic)
if the league is going to openly endorse sports betting, partner with betting platforms, and actively promote betting during every single commercial break, then it NEEDS to also take measures to protect its players from the vitriol that betting inspires. personally i think it's incredibly fucked up that sports leagues are endorsing betting at all, but that's a conversation for another day. natasha cloud said it well when she was interviewed about it: if the wnba wants to endorse betting for the sake of financial growth, fine, but that cannot come at the expense of the players, and cathy needs to step up and protect them (in this way and so many more). elizabeth williams (secretary of the players’ association) said that there’s a meeting scheduled to discuss the issue with cathy soon, but i honestly don’t know how much we can expect to come from it
Itching for WPBL to start. August 1st, 2026 seems far away, but some recap for the uninitiated:
The Women's Professional Baseball League is about to start in the US. It is hosted in Springfield, IL, USA as a neutral site for the current 4 teams:
Boston (merch-green) - roster
New York (merch-teal) - roster
San Francisco (merch-purple) - roster
Los Angeles (merch-blue) - roster
Some highlights of the teams:
Details from back at tryouts last year:
Hundreds of women will flock to Washington on Friday to take their first swings at turning pro baseball dreams into reality.
Kelsie Whitmore of Savannah Bananas fame (first woman to play) will be playing for San Francisco. She was the first round first pick in the 2025 draft.
Danae Benites of the Loco Beach Coconuts will be playing for New York
There are 15 players over 30
The draft pulled players from a variety of countries:
Outside the US we have Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France, Venezuela, UK, and while it is under US occupation I wanna highlight it on its own: Puerto Rico.
There are a number of out queer players
If you liked 'A League Of Their Own,' you're gonna love the Women's Professional Baseball League. We've got everything you need to know abou
Boston (5)
Paloma Benach (LHP - DC, USA)
Nadia Diaz (3B - NY, USA)
Stephanie Everett (LF - MD, USA)
Zoe Hicks (3B - CA)
Raine Padgham (RHP - BC, CA)
New York (4)
Denae Benites (Catcher - NV, USA)
Elodie Ciamarro (Catcher - Quebec, CA)
Beth Greenwood (Catcher - USA)
London Studer (1B - OH, USA)
San Francisco (6)
Kelsie Whitmore (RHP - CA, USA)
Jordan Eyester (CF - MI, USA)
Amanda Gianelloni (2B - LA, USA)
Liz Gilder (LHP - BC, CA)
Arwen McCullough (RHP - CA, USA)
Micaela Minner (1B - OH, USA, she's 40 btw! 😍)
Los Angeles (3)
Ashton Lansdell (3B - GA, USA)
Jamie Mackay (Catcher - CA, USA)
Luisa Hernandez (3B - Jalisco, MX)
From Commissioner Justine Siegal PhD:
"Across the USA and around the world, women have always played baseball. From backyard games with older siblings, to rec leagues across the country, women have found ways to play the sport they love. Baseball is America’s pastime, but the professional game hasn’t evolved to reflect the diversity of those who play, watch and love this sport. That’s about to change.
A long time dream is coming into focus: a professional women’s baseball league for a new generation. The Women’s Pro Baseball League is here.
We’re creating a stage where elite women’s baseball players have a place to shine, and establishing a pipeline for every girl who dreams of competing at the highest level one day. A league of their own, for the first time since the AAGPBL of the 1940s. This league is just one part of a larger cultural shift. Women in sports are finally getting the recognition they deserve. We’re at the beginning of a new chapter and it’s time for our athletes to write their story.
What started as an idea is now a reality. We’re less than five months away from the WPBL’s opening day on August 1st, 2026 and already so much has happened. The world has taken notice of what we’re doing, and hundreds of thousands of people have tuned in to follow along. People just like you. Thank you for supporting this league. For supporting women in baseball. You’re a part of this. A part of history.
The next chapter begins this August.
We hope you’ll join us in making history."
Games will be aired on various streaming platforms and most importantly, the league's youtube channel.
hot take possibly? but i actually think it’s okay for things to be marketed for adults. it’s literally okay if things aren’t suitable for children. i feel like we are losing the plot
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