Quick Read
- Kelsie Whitmore was chosen first overall in the inaugural WPBL draft on November 20, 2025.
- Whitmore has won gold and silver medals in international women’s baseball events.
- WPBL is the first women’s professional baseball league since 1954.
- The league’s season begins August 1, 2025, in Illinois.
Kelsie Whitmore Leads the WPBL Into Uncharted Territory
On November 20, 2025, the world of baseball witnessed an event decades in the making. Kelsie Whitmore, a pitcher and outfielder whose journey has already spanned professional diamonds and international podiums, was chosen as the first overall pick in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) draft. The announcement, made in the San Francisco area, was more than a personal achievement—it was a clarion call for the future of women’s baseball in the United States.
Whitmore, now 27 and originally from San Diego, has carved a path few have traveled. Her professional debut came in 2016 with the Sonoma Stompers, a team that welcomed her into the world of men’s independent league baseball—a rarity in itself. But Whitmore’s career is defined not just by crossing boundaries, but by collecting medals along the way: two silvers at the Women’s Baseball World Cup and a gold at the 2015 Pan-Am Games in Toronto.
When asked about her selection, Whitmore captured the gravity and emotion of the moment with infectious candor. “You ask a 6-year-old version of me about this opportunity happening right now, she would, one, probably not believe you, but, two, just be so, so, so, so excited for it.” Her words echo the dreams of countless young girls who have watched baseball from the sidelines, waiting for their turn on the field.
Draft Day: A Showcase of Talent and Hope
The WPBL draft, held in a spirited ceremony, featured 120 athletes vying for a place in history. Organized into six rounds, each of the four teams—San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston—made five selections per round. The draft was launched with a congratulatory speech by Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, who underscored the significance of the league’s creation and the promise it holds for future generations.
Whitmore was joined at the top by other trailblazers: Ayami Sato, a five-time World Cup winner from Japan, was selected second by Los Angeles; Kylee Lahners went third to New York; Hyeonah Kim was picked fourth by Boston. The tenth pick, Mo’ne Davis of Philadelphia, is herself a legend, remembered for her victory in the Little League World Series and now poised to shape the professional game in Los Angeles.
The league’s format is ambitious. Teams will pare down their rosters from 30 players to 15 before the season begins. All games are scheduled to be played at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springville, Illinois, starting August 1. This single-venue approach is designed to maximize exposure and build a sense of community among fans and athletes alike.
A Legacy Rekindled After Seventy Years
The founding of the WPBL is not just a footnote in sports history—it is a direct response to a long-standing gap. Since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League folded in 1954, there has been no professional platform for female baseball players in the United States. The WPBL, co-founded by Justine Siegal—who herself broke barriers as the first woman to coach for a Major League Baseball team in 2015—aims to fill that void.
Siegal’s vision for the league is clear: to empower female athletes, provide sustainable career paths, and challenge the notion that baseball is a sport for men alone. The league’s structure, with its high-profile draft and robust competition, is designed to attract attention and inspire young players who have previously seen their ambitions curtailed by a lack of opportunity.
What Whitmore’s Selection Means for the Future
Whitmore’s rise to the top of the WPBL draft is more than a personal milestone—it is a signal to the broader sports world that the era of women’s baseball has arrived. Her journey, from childhood dreams in San Diego to international gold medals and a historic first pick, reflects the resilience and talent that have long existed but remained unrecognized.
For Whitmore and her peers, the WPBL represents a chance to compete at the highest level, to be judged by their skills and not by gender. For fans, it is an invitation to witness the evolution of a sport that is finally opening its doors to all. The league’s inaugural season will be watched closely—not just for its scores and standings, but for the stories it will write and the barriers it will break.
As the countdown to August 1 continues, anticipation builds. The WPBL’s success will depend not only on the talent of its players, but on the support of fans, sponsors, and the wider baseball community. If Whitmore’s selection is any indication, the appetite for change is real and growing.
Whitmore’s historic selection in the WPBL draft marks a turning point for women’s baseball, bridging a seventy-year gap and offering a stage for female athletes to shine. The league’s launch is a testament to perseverance and vision—qualities embodied by Whitmore herself. As the season approaches, the world will be watching to see if the WPBL can deliver on its promise and truly transform the landscape of professional baseball for women.