Mo’ne Davis Returns for Women’s Pro Baseball Tryouts

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

At the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, history was being written. The baseball fields were filled not with young boys chasing their dreams, but with women from around the world finally getting a chance to prove they belonged on the same stage. Over 600 women from 10 different countries gathered for the first official tryouts of the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL).

The moment carried both excitement and emotion. Many of these women had waited years, even decades, to hear the words: “This league is for you.” For the first time in history, women were being given the chance to compete professionally in a sport long dominated by men.

Among those stepping onto the field was a familiar face—Mo’ne Davis, the pitcher who rose to fame at just 13 years old during the 2014 Little League World Series. She had been away from the game for five years, but the WPBL gave her a reason to come back.

Mo’ne Davis: A Nervous but Proud Return

For Mo’ne Davis, returning to baseball wasn’t just about competition—it was about reconnecting with a part of her identity. She admitted she was nervous before stepping onto the field. After all, she hadn’t played competitive baseball since 2020.

But the moment her cleats touched the dirt, those nerves began to fade. The smell of the grass, the feel of the ball in her hand, and the energy of the crowd reminded her of why she loved the game.

“Being here just feels right,” Davis said. “This is where I belong.”

Her presence alone inspired many younger players who had grown up watching her historic pitching performance in the Little League World Series. To them, Davis wasn’t just another player at the tryouts—she was living proof that women could compete in baseball at the highest level.

Building on a Legacy

The tryouts weren’t only about individual dreams—they were about something larger. Justine Siegal, co-founder of the WPBL and a trailblazer in women’s baseball, reminded everyone of the bigger picture.

“We are standing on the shoulders of pioneers,” Siegal said in her speech. “Women who played when nobody believed they should, who kept the dream alive even when doors were shut. Now, it’s your time.”

Her words struck a chord. The players weren’t just competing for roster spots—they were becoming part of history.

The Tryout Process

• The WPBL tryouts were designed to test every skill a baseball player needs. The women were evaluated through:
• Running drills to test speed and agility.
• Pitching sessions to measure control, speed, and accuracy.
• Batting practice to see hitting power and consistency.
• Fielding exercises to check quickness and reaction time.

The event would end with an exhibition game at Nationals Park, the home stadium of the Washington Nationals. This final game would give coaches one more chance to see the talent level on display.

The tryouts drew players ranging in age from 17 to 57. Some were young national team athletes already competing internationally, while others were mothers, teachers, and business owners who never stopped loving the game.

Stories of Lost Opportunities

• For many of the women, this moment carried deep personal meaning. They shared stories of being told “no” simply because of their gender.
• Allison Dougherty, a business owner from Tampa, explained how she had always wanted to play baseball but was pushed into softball because she was a girl.
• “When I heard there was finally a chance to play baseball, it felt like someone was finally seeing me,” she said. “I felt like I mattered.”

Heather Strong, a flight attendant, told a similar story. She played baseball in Little League, but once she reached high school, the doors closed. She was forced to switch to softball.

“I just wanted the chance to play baseball again,” Strong said. Her voice cracked with emotion, showing how much this opportunity meant.

These stories were not rare. They were repeated over and over throughout the tryouts. Women who had loved baseball their whole lives finally had a place where that love was welcomed.

Leaders and Stars Guiding the Way

The event wasn’t just about the players trying out. Several big names in women’s baseball were there to mentor, guide, and inspire.

Ayami Sato, one of the most famous pitchers in Japan and a three-time Women’s Baseball World Cup champion, offered tips to young pitchers. Her calm presence gave players confidence.

Alli Schroder, a Canadian standout, also attended and encouraged new players to embrace the moment.

Former player Tamara Holmes, who competed in women’s baseball decades ago, was one of the coaches. She admitted she didn’t realize how emotional the tryouts would be until she saw the first group of women step onto the field.

“It hit me that this was history in the making,” Holmes said. She praised the softball players who were making the transition, saying they had the tools and determination to succeed.

More Than Winning a Spot

Most of the women knew the odds. With only a limited number of roster spots available, not everyone would make it onto a professional team. But that didn’t matter to many of them.

For some, just stepping onto the field and being part of the tryouts was enough.

“It’s about being able to say, ‘I was part of this,’” Holmes explained. “Even if you don’t make the team, you can say you were there when history began.”

That sentiment echoed through the stadium. The tryouts were about more than competition. They were about being part of a movement that could change the future of women in sports forever.

A New Era for Baseball

The creation of the WPBL is more than just a sports story—it’s a cultural shift. For decades, baseball has been seen as a man’s game, while women were guided toward softball. The launch of a professional women’s baseball league sends a strong message: the game belongs to everyone.

Young girls watching these tryouts will grow up knowing they have a path that wasn’t available before. They won’t have to wonder if they can play baseball—they’ll know they can.

And for players like Mo’ne Davis, Allison Dougherty, Heather Strong, and hundreds of others, this is the moment they had been waiting for. A chance to step onto the diamond not as guests, but as professionals.

The tryouts will conclude with the exhibition game at Nationals Park, a fitting stage for the beginning of a new era. From there, league officials will begin selecting the first wave of players who will form the foundation of the WPBL.

It will not be easy. Building a professional sports league takes time, money, and commitment. But for the women who stood on that field, the hard part wasn’t starting a league—it was waiting this long for the chance.

The WPBL tryouts marked the start of something much bigger than baseball. They gave women back their game, a game they had loved but too often had to leave behind.

As Justine Siegal said, these players are not only chasing their own dreams but also carrying the dreams of generations who never got the chance. And as Mo’ne Davis showed with her return, love for the game never fades.

Whether or not they make the roster, every woman who tried out can say they were part of history. And for the little girls watching from the stands or on TV, the message is clear: the diamond is open, and it’s theirs too.

Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL)