Mo’ne Davis, who gained viral fame as a young baseball sensation in the Little League World Series over a decade ago, is set to make her return to the sport. Now 24 years old, Davis was chosen as the 10th overall pick in the inaugural draft of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) on Thursday, joining the Los Angeles team.
Kelsie Whitmore, another pioneer in women’s baseball, earned the first overall pick. Whitmore has previously competed in various independent baseball leagues and showcased her talent with the Savannah Bananas this past year. In total, the draft saw the selection of 120 players across four teams.
Davis, who rose to international prominence at just 13 years old when she became the first girl to win a game in LLWS history, showcased her pitching prowess with an impressive eight-strikeout, two-hit shutout against a Nashville team that featured future MLB player Robert Hassell III. Recently, Davis reunited with Hassell during a ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park, where he now plays.
Since her little league glory, Davis has authored a memoir, played softball at Hampton University, and earned a master’s degree in sports management from Columbia University. However, she is now looking forward to resuming her baseball career following her participation in WPBL tryouts held in August. Interestingly, despite her pitching background, she has been selected to play as a center fielder.
In an interview with 6abc Philadelphia, Davis acknowledged her arm issues that might affect her performance but expressed her excitement for the new league: “It was a shock, I didn’t think I was going to go that early, just because my arm is a little messed up. It feels great… especially over the years, focusing on school, not knowing what’s next.”
The Women’s Pro Baseball League aims to provide opportunities for girls and women who aspire to play baseball, which has been often overshadowed by softball—a sport typically regarded as its female counterpart. Founded in 2024 by Justine Siegal and Keith Stein, the WPBL was established to fulfill the long-awaited dream for women in baseball. Siegal, a trailblazer herself as the first woman to coach in professional men’s baseball in the U.S., emphasized the historic significance of launching this league.
The WPBL features four teams—Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Boston—with 15-player rosters. The league plans to hold games primarily at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, while also organizing some away games. With an initial investment of nearly $3 million, far exceeding their original goal, the league is set to kick off a four-week regular season followed by a two-week postseason in 2026.
The players will benefit from a salary cap of $95,000, housing arrangements, and a share of sponsorship revenues, with plans to expand to six teams by 2027. The emergence of the WPBL signals a significant step toward inclusivity in the sport, providing a platform for women to hone their skills and compete at a professional level.