The WPBL — with four teams representing Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco — is set to begin play at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Ill., in August 2026 following the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Rockford from July 22-26. The WPBL is the first professional baseball league for women in the United States since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — the inspiration for “A League of Their Own” — folded in 1954.
“It’s really cool to play in this league, just to play with other women, especially the women whose names got called and whose names will get called,” said Davis, who was picked by Los Angeles. “They’ve done amazing things in the baseball world, so I’m just happy to be alongside of them and to help push this league and the game forward.”
Davis rocketed to fame as a 13-year-old during the 2014 Little League World Series, particularly for her pitching dominance. Featuring a 70 mph fastball, Davis became the first female pitcher to earn a win in the LLWS when she tossed a shutout with eight strikeouts in Philadelphia’s opening game against Nashville.
Davis, who also starred on the basketball court in high school and went on to play collegiate softball at Hampton University in Virginia, was listed as a center fielder when selected in Thursday’s draft. But if she’s ever needed to pitch, you can bet she’ll be ready.
