Los Angeles Queens vs New York Heights

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 08: A detailed view of the WPBL hats on display at the WPBL team name and jersey reveal at New Era Flagship Store on July 08, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images Today, for the first time since 1954, women’s professional baseball will

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What is the story about?

Today, for the first time since 1954, women’s professional baseball will take the stage, and it’s a moment worth commemorating. Welcome to the Women’s Professional Baseball League. (Cory Cohen published a primer here.)

First, a note is in order.

We realize that Purple Row is a Colorado Rockies site, and none of that will change. But we do want to provide a discussion space for those who want to follow this new league, so we’ll be pinning a discussion thread on our homepage to facilitate fan discussion and support

this new league in its early days.

Today’s game features the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights.

Taking the mound for the two teams in their debut game will be Ayami Sato for the Queens and Rakyung Kim for the Heights.

On the mound for the Queens will be Ayami Sato who is arguably one of the most decorated baseball players in the world. Having made her Women’s Baseball World Cup debut for team Japan in 2010, Sato has gone on to win the tournament six times and earn its MVP award three times.

Outside of the World Cup, Sato’s resume includes a variety of stops in various leagues around the world but none were longer lasting than her tenure in Japan Women’s Baseball League. Sato pitched in JWPL from 2013 through 2019 (the leagues final season) and led the league in strikeouts five times. Sato was the second overall pick in the initial WPBL draft last November.

Taking the ball for the Heights will be Rakyung Kim. Having been a two way player for most of her career — she was the first women to hit a home run in the Korean men’s college league — Kim was drafted 11th overall as a pitcher by the Heights.

Kim played for South Korea in both the 2016 at the age of 15 but it was the 2018 version of the tournament that she came into her own. She led the 2018 World Cup in both strikeouts (but also walks) while also seeing time 3B, RF, and 1B.

Opening ceremonies begin at 3:00 pm with first pitch at 3:50 pm.

Watch on ESPN Select.