I found out about the Women's Pro Baseball League via Bluesky less than a month ago and within hours, I had tickets to the first two games in my hot little hands1.

jen ramos-eisen's avatar
3w

#WPBL team names and logos are out: the Boston Hunters the New York Heights the Los Angeles Queens the San Francisco Firebells the reasonings behind the names are in the press release sent out to media below

New York Heights The New York Heights are inspired by Dorothy Irene Height, a pioneering civil rights and women’s rights leader from New York whose influence and leadership helped shape generations of progress for Americans. Built around the ambition, intensity and relentless standards associated with New York, the Heights identity reflects a city that expects excellence and rises to meet it. Brand identity: Graphic lines inspired by the speed of a fastball form both the New York skyline and the shape of the “H,” creating a mark rooted in movement, precision and audacity. San Francisco Firebells The San Francisco Firebells are inspired by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, known as “Firebelle,” who was a champion of San Francisco’s volunteer firefighters and benefactor of the iconic Coit Tower. Her spirit of action and civic pride became part of the city’s history. Rooted in the grit and reinvention that define San Francisco, the Firebells identity reflects a city that has always rebuilt stronger than before. Brand identity: When we are down, we come back like the phoenix, just as the city of San Francisco always has. The Firebells mark fuses a bell and phoenix into a single form - the alarm and the answer.
Los Angeles Queens The Los Angeles Queens are inspired by Lizzie Murphy, known as the legendary “Queen of the Diamond,” who broke barriers as the first woman to play against major league players, and earning respect from others throughout the game. Built around the confidence, presence and cultural influence associated with Los Angeles, the Queens identity reflects a brand that is bold, modern and unapologetic. Brand identity: The crown mark reimagines four baseball diamonds into a minimalist symbol of power, prestige and the game itself. Boston Hunters The Boston Hunters are inspired by Harriot K. Hunt, the first woman to apply to Harvard Medical School and establish a successful medical practice in the U.S. A pioneering physician and activist from Boston who challenged convention and opened doors for future generations of women. Inspired by Boston’s culture of resilience, toughness and relentless drive, the Hunters identity reflects a city built on grit and determination. Brand identity: Inspired by the osprey, a focused and fearless coastal predator, the Hunters mark represents precision, instinct and action.WPBL logos: the Boston Hunters featuring an osprey carrying a bat heading downward the New York Heights with what appears to be the Empire State Building with an H hidden in the building and a baseball at the base of the building the Los Angeles Queens with a Q and four diamonds above it the San Francisco Firebells with a bell presumably on fire

We have a tween who started softball this year, despite having parents who have never been team sports people. Her dad is the more athletic2 of the two of us (he's a mountain biker); he not only encouraged her, but played catch with her every day and even ended up coaching her YMCA league team. She ended up loving softball, playing in two leagues, so I figured this was a perfect vacation.

As former Angelenos, we were obviously cheering for the Los Angeles Queens. Saturday's game between the Queens and the New York Heights was scheduled to start at 5:30 but was delayed an hour and a half due to rain. It lightened up by the start of the game but really never stopped and only felt like it worsened by the end of the night.

Members of all four WPBL teams surround the diamond at Robin Robert Stadium

Fans didn't seem to mind, or at least we didn't hear many complaints. The line for merch, which was sold out online, snaked well past far end of the stadium. We arrived when the gates opened and used our early arrival to get through security, buy some Queens gear and food, and settle into our seats.

My daughter was sad when the first inning ended with the Heights up 5-2 and absolutely stricken when the end of the second saw them leading 7-2. I told her it was fine because anything can happen in baseball. And it's true! I mean, she ended up seeing the first WPBL home run from New York's Denae Benites! Okay, not what she was hoping for, but still very cool.

She was super worried when we hit the top of the seventh and LA was down 8-6. Again, I told her, anything can happen. And how it did! That last inning was some of the best, most exciting baseball I've ever seen. We were soaking wet despite our ponchos, but screaming our heads off at one amazing play after another. We were jumping up and down when the Queens won the game 10-8.

We were super hyped to end the night on such a high note. Both teams played well, especially given how wet it was, and we can't wait to watch them in better conditions. The Queens face the Boston Hunters tomorrow, 8/5, at 7:30pm Central, and the Heights play the San Francisco Firebells on 8/6 at 7:30pm Central.

You can subscribe to this public Google Calendar I created with all of the WPBL games, including a link to buy tickets and which service will stream the game (ESPN Select or Scripps Sports Network)3.