THE SERPENT'S STRATEGY: BREAKING DOWN THE INAUGURAL WPBL DRAFT ORDER
The WPBL’s inaugural draft marks a defining moment in the launch of professional women’s baseball. With six rounds and 20 picks per round, the 120-player structure forms the first-ever rosters for franchises in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. The league uses a snake draft format—reversing order within each turn—to enforce competitive balance and force strategic, paired decision-making from front offices.
Though being drafted grants negotiation rights rather than guaranteed contracts, it secures each athlete a chance to compete during rigorous spring training and evaluation periods. This historic draft celebrates years of player development and sets the stage for a fully realized professional ecosystem in women’s baseball. Fans can watch history unfold during Thursday night’s official live stream.
Breaking New Ground: The Women’s Pro Baseball League Arrives
After more than seventy years without a professional women’s baseball league, the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is set to debut in 2026, signaling a major cultural and sporting milestone. Founded by Dr. Justine Siegal and Keith Stein, the WPBL will launch with six Northeastern teams, a seven-week season, and an innovative format designed for speed, sustainability, and visibility. The league’s first open tryouts in Washington, D.C. drew over 600 athletes from 10 countries, underscoring the global hunger for opportunity in women’s baseball. With production and media support from Fremantle, and an advisory board that includes icons like Ayami Sato, Cito Gaston, and Maybelle Blair, the WPBL blends authenticity with star power—highlighted by Mo’ne Davis, the Little League legend now chasing a pro dream. While challenges remain—financial sustainability, fan awareness, and the absence of a collegiate pipeline—the league’s independence, leadership, and timing place it at the forefront of a new era for women in sports.