WASHINGTON -- Maybelle Blair took the field at Nationals Park early Monday morning to do something she has done countless times before: deliver the ceremonial first pitch before a professional baseball game.
This time was different. This time was special.
When Blair delivered the first pitch to baseball icon Mo’ne Davis, it kicked off the final day of tryouts for the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL). There were two games set for the day, with the final 100 women split into four teams to square off in front of scouts, fans, family and, of course, women’s baseball royalty in Blair and Jeneane “Lefty” Lesko, who were part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (the inspiration for the hit film “A League of Their Own”).
For Blair, it’s a chance to see her dream -- that there would be a new era of women’s pro baseball -- become a reality. She spent the weekend around the players trying out, living out her dream while watching the next generations live out theirs.
“It’s actually one of the best times of my life,” Blair said Monday. “It reminds me of when I was playing ball and had the opportunity. … I'm reliving my life again through these girls. I think every girl should have an opportunity to play the sport that they love.
“These girls want to play baseball, and thank goodness. My dream’s come true, thanks to Keith and Justine and all these kids that have been working so hard to fulfill their own dream. Now, can you imagine their dream is coming true -- and I have lived mine, and I'm still on this side of the grass to witness it.”
There has not been a professional women’s baseball league in the United States since the AAGPBL was shuttered in 1954. Even then, the AAGPBL was a segregated league, with no outlet for women of color. Now, thanks to WPBL co-founders Justine Siegal and Keith Stein, that’s changing.
By late September, the WPBL plans to announce the inaugural teams. In October, there will be the first draft, and then by the end of the year there are plans to announce front office additions.
But that’s all on the business side. For the players, who hail from 10 different countries, the focus is on the field -- and of course, getting ready for the season. And for Kelsie Whitmore, who has made plenty of baseball history herself, it’s a chance to be part of something even bigger.
“The word ‘integration,’ like, that is huge,” Whitmore said. “Yesterday, someone spoke about it and was like, ‘How does it feel to be in a women's professional baseball integrated league?’ … And I thought about it, and I didn't realize, when Maybelle was playing, there was only a certain color that can play with her, right? And [changing] that -- that's huge.
“And I love it. I love that we're having so many backgrounds, cultures -- girls from other countries. Like, that's how it should be. And it gives me chills, honestly, thinking about and talking about it. Because baseball is not only just for women, it's for everyone. Doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, you belong in the game.”
Added Blair: “I never [in my whole] life ever figured that we would have another league of their own. And here it is: my dream. Thank you for all being here, and we're going to make this thing and go and show that women can play baseball.”