SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The summer is quickly coming to an end, which also means the historic first season of the Women’s Professional Baseball League in Springfield is almost over, too.
The best-of-five championship starts Wednesday night at Robin Roberts Stadium, between the San Francisco Firebells and the Los Angeles Queens.
“You can expect a really good game,” said Ela Day Bedard, shortstop for San Francisco, in an interview to air Wednesday on the WTAX Morning Newswatch. “I think everyone is going to play their heart out. I think it’s going to be amazing, it’s going to be fun. I know the staff has a bunch of things in store, so it will be fun.”
Among the things in store, one of the stars of the hit movie A League of Their Own, Megan Cavanagh, a native of Chicago, will be on hand.
Bedard helped Team Canada win a Bronze medal in the 2024 Women’s Baseball World Cup, but like many players, grew up hoping she’d become a pro some day.
Same goes for teammate Samantha Gutierrez, who catches and plays third base. She, like Bedard, feels the experience of playing in Springfield all summer has helped her.
“It’s been really cool just going to the games, and the fans come up to you, recognizing you, it’s been super cool. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, they know who I am.'”
There has been no official announcement as of yet whether there will be a second season, or how or where it will be played. But both players say they hope to play in the league for as long as they’re able.
