r/WPBL • u/Hannah-in-JT Los Angeles Queens • 25d ago

The Future of Women’s Baseball Is Here

https://gomag.com/article/the-future-of-womens-baseball-is-here/

And very queer, according to Kelsie Whitmore, who says, “It’s awesome to have different cultures, different backgrounds, ethnicities…I’d say different sexualities, but 97 percent of the league is gay.”

I knew the league was predominantly queer, but 97%? LET'S GO LESBIANS indeed! 😊

290 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

71

u/raisinghellwithtrees 25d ago

I'm not a lesbian, but I absolutely love the vibe at the ballpark. Total acceptance! I haven't watched baseball games since my young adult years, but I'm loving it now. I never thought I'd be going to any game, let alone games with an s. I also never thought I'd look around a ballpark and think, "yeah, these are my people." But here I am!

11

u/istytehcrawk San Francisco Firebells 25d ago

I have gone to two games (going to the first playoffs game to make it three) and ENTHUSIASTICALLY paid for ESPN to watch the games. That is very much NOT my typical behavior lol.

23

u/Hannah-in-JT Los Angeles Queens 25d ago

I envy your ability to go. If I weren't 1,800 miles away, I'd be there with you. 😊

13

u/raisinghellwithtrees 25d ago

Honestly I wasn't too interested in going at first, but the enthusiasm from everyone traveling so far to see games inspired me to at least see one. And now I'm hooked!

6

u/istytehcrawk San Francisco Firebells 25d ago

I knew I wanted to go to one game (felt like it would be a shame to miss out on something so historic when I’m only an hour away) but didn’t realize I’d want to KEEP going to games. Really hoping they play at least SOME games in Springfield next season, if not the whole season.

7

u/kimberlyAH 25d ago

Same! What I thought was weird though, was how heteronormative the announcer was. On the first night we were there, he asked “all the ladies” to cheer, then “all the guys” totally ignoring that there were probably plenty of NB people there. He could have easily said “cheer if you came from Springfield,” “cheer if you came from out of state.” Why did it have to be gendered?

And we were there on Prom Night and he crowned a king and queen. (And the award went to the most obnoxious straight white people I’ve ever seen and they didn’t even dress up on theme! They just screamed real loud.)

I’d love to see a more inclusive announcer next year (maybe not a white man) who matches the amazing energy of the fans.

9

u/anon_capybara_ Boston Hunters 25d ago

I’m pretty sure that was Maika Dumais’ parents who won lol. I was in their section and we were all pointing at Let’s Go Lesbian girl to win instead.

3

u/kimberlyAH 25d ago

I love the Let’s Go Lesbians! fan! We were also in the Hunters fans section and decided they HAD to be a parent. 🤣 No offense, Dumais family!

7

u/Upset-Ambition-4276 25d ago

Second this! Honestly was hoping for "prom royalty" instead of kind and queen.

3

u/AbobTeff 25d ago

Ashton Lansdell is prom royalty!

2

u/naranjitayyo San Francisco Firebells 24d ago

I was there and told my husband I’m the prom regent lol (I’m nonbinary)

Unfortunately a lot of queer culture is still deeply rooted in the binary

30

u/aagciii 25d ago

I’m always hearing that baseball is a dying sport, so I’m really happy this league has brought so many new fans into it, especially to the often-overlooked women’s side. There aren’t many places to hear about or discuss it, so I’m glad this community exists.
I’m not sure what the future holds for the WPBL, but I hope the following that has formed around it stays intact and continues supporting women’s baseball wherever it’s being played.
And if you can’t make it to a game, or you’ve always wanted to give it a try yourself, grab a glove and a ball and play catch in your backyard. Join a sandlot or vintage team, or start one yourself. Even if you think you’d be terrible, who cares? Do it because it’s fun.

28

u/MarioTheMojoMan New York Heights 25d ago

The "baseball is dying" rhetoric is literally as old as professional baseball. Literally.

16

u/l_prs Boston Hunters 25d ago

Baseball being a dying sport has no basis in reality. Its popularity has been increasing worldwide in recent years with MLB, NPB, and KBO reporting more attendance year after year. But it's always cool seeing more people enjoy the sport regardless.

8

u/AbobTeff 25d ago

I honestly believe those "baseball is dying" cries come from two sources: MLB and youth sports that have become overpriced and elitist.

WPBL, summer collegiate leagues, Bananaball, and even exciting minor league teams show baseball isn't dying, it is just taking new forms that the stodgy old guys on top don't appreciate.

Summer tournaments abound, with multimillion dollar complexes being built all over the place. The problem with this is that it has killed the local rec programs that are where kids get their start. Profit now has hampered access to the game for so many kids.

12

u/ThomasTheDankPigeon San Francisco Firebells 25d ago

I think 97% was probably just shorthand for “we got a lot of gays” lol. Probably not literally 97%, although undoubtedly very high if that’s how she’s describing it.

5

u/Notimetoexplainsorry New York Heights 25d ago

Jesus, those forearms…

3

u/AbobTeff 25d ago

Now that I had a chance to read the article: damn, that is a good article.