Justine Siegal’s passion for baseball has remained steadfast since her childhood. While her brother eventually transitioned to softball at the suggestion of a coach, Siegal dedicated herself to the sport that has always held her heart.
Today, Siegal has made history by becoming the first woman to coach within a Major League Baseball (MLB) team and is now a co-founder of the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL). This new initiative aims to transform the landscape of professional baseball for women by providing opportunities for aspiring players.
In an interview with WTOP’s José Umaña, Siegal expressed her commitment, stating, “I love the game, and so many girls and women love baseball. This pro league gives a chance for them to follow their dreams, too.”
The WPBL is set to launch next spring, kicking off its activities with tryouts in Washington, D.C. This four-day event, taking place from August 22-25, will begin at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and conclude at Nationals Park.
Siegal’s collaboration with the Washington Nationals has proven fruitful. A casual meeting with John Wulf, the assistant player development director for the team, led to an enthusiastic response when she suggested using their field for the tryouts. “He said, ‘What can we do to help?’ And I said, it would be a dream to be on your field,” Siegal recalled. “He said, ‘Let’s try to make that happen,’ and here we are.”
With over 400 players registered for the tryouts, Siegal anticipates a historic event, marking the first professional baseball tryouts for women in more than eight decades. Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old and can register online via the league’s official website.
“We are looking for the best players in the world,” Siegal affirmed, emphasizing the league’s high standards. Players will be assessed on their skills across various positions, with drills and performance tests scheduled throughout the tryout process. The evaluations will culminate in live game scenarios evaluated by former major league coaches and esteemed women coaches.
“I want to see how their curveball drops,” she explained regarding pitcher assessments, further noting the importance of mechanics and pitch movement that any major league scout would prioritize.
Successful participants will be invited to a player draft slated for October. The inaugural season in 2026 will witness games played across one or two venues, with teams engaging in seven-inning matches, adhering to the rules sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation while utilizing aluminum bats.
As the WPBL gears up for its launch, Siegal is focused on ensuring that all players feel valued and have a genuine opportunity to showcase their talents during tryouts.
Historically, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the film “A League of Their Own,” operated from 1943 until its closure in 1954. Siegal and her colleagues are optimistic that the WPBL will captivate audiences nationwide. High-profile players such as former Team USA standout Kelsie Whitmore and Little League sensation Mo’ne Davis are already committed to the league, adding to its promising future.
“We’re a lot of entertainment,” Siegal remarked, highlighting the excitement spectators can expect. “You’re going to see passion. You’re going to see home runs. You’re going to see strikeouts, and we want people to fall in love with us. I’m confident that if you come into a game, you’re going to come back for a second one.”
