Taylor Wilson

Indiana, and in the township of West Baden, baseball is by no means a game for the mere man. The girls are right in the professional spotlight. America's favorite pastime has a decidedly strong female fan base. A 2024 survey revealed women make up 39% of those who attended or watched an MLB game. And it's not just in the stands. The number of women working professionally in baseball has grown.

Indiana, and in the township of West Baden, baseball is by no means a game for the mere man. The girls are right in the professional spotlight. America's favorite pastime has a decidedly strong female fan base. A 2024 survey revealed women make up 39% of those who attended or watched an MLB game. And it's not just in the stands. The number of women working professionally in baseball has grown.

Now Americans can look forward to seeing the Women's Pro Baseball League in summer 2026. Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Taylor Wilson. Today is Sunday, May 4th, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Women's sports have been on the rise, so it only seems natural that a women's pro league would take shape. But women already make up a rich part of baseball history.

Now Americans can look forward to seeing the Women's Pro Baseball League in summer 2026. Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Taylor Wilson. Today is Sunday, May 4th, 2025, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. Women's sports have been on the rise, so it only seems natural that a women's pro league would take shape. But women already make up a rich part of baseball history.

For more on that history and the current momentum of women's baseball, I'm joined by Callie Batts-Maddox, an associate professor of sports leadership and management at Miami University. Callie, thank you so much for coming on the excerpt today.

For more on that history and the current momentum of women's baseball, I'm joined by Callie Batts-Maddox, an associate professor of sports leadership and management at Miami University. Callie, thank you so much for coming on the excerpt today.

So let's start with the moment right now. Really interesting moment. As I mentioned at the top, there is strong women's interest in baseball. We know there's strong interest from women's fans and franchises are catering to them with special meetups and clubs as well. But perhaps more interesting, Callie, is the rise of women on the MLB payroll. Let's just give out some stats.

So let's start with the moment right now. Really interesting moment. As I mentioned at the top, there is strong women's interest in baseball. We know there's strong interest from women's fans and franchises are catering to them with special meetups and clubs as well. But perhaps more interesting, Callie, is the rise of women on the MLB payroll. Let's just give out some stats.

As of 2023, as you've outlined, women made up 30% of central office professional staff and 27% of team senior administration jobs. And on top of that, 43 women made held coaching and managerial jobs across the major and minor league levels, marking a 95% increase in just two years. So a lot of numbers there, as you've outlined, Callie. Are these increases more about interest or more opportunities?

As of 2023, as you've outlined, women made up 30% of central office professional staff and 27% of team senior administration jobs. And on top of that, 43 women made held coaching and managerial jobs across the major and minor league levels, marking a 95% increase in just two years. So a lot of numbers there, as you've outlined, Callie. Are these increases more about interest or more opportunities?

And just considering this increase in women holding coaching and managerial positions in baseball, how do you see the landscape changing really for women in pro baseball?

And just considering this increase in women holding coaching and managerial positions in baseball, how do you see the landscape changing really for women in pro baseball?

All right, let's take a step back and look at the history of women in baseball. I know this has been a focus of yours, Callie. Women have played baseball at least since the 1860s. That's the Civil War era, not long after really the creation of the entire sport. And, you know, for more context, professional men's baseball started in 1869. So women were playing even before the men had a pro league.

All right, let's take a step back and look at the history of women in baseball. I know this has been a focus of yours, Callie. Women have played baseball at least since the 1860s. That's the Civil War era, not long after really the creation of the entire sport. And, you know, for more context, professional men's baseball started in 1869. So women were playing even before the men had a pro league.

Correct. Where were women playing early on and who were some of the early teams?

Correct. Where were women playing early on and who were some of the early teams?

That's so cool. So how did the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League impact the opportunities for women in baseball? And what were some of the challenges they faced?

That's so cool. So how did the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League impact the opportunities for women in baseball? And what were some of the challenges they faced?

So, you know, even going back to the 1860s, as you said, they were playing hardball as opposed to softball. And you've written about how women at some point got pushed into playing softball instead. Why did that happen and how did that happen?

So, you know, even going back to the 1860s, as you said, they were playing hardball as opposed to softball. And you've written about how women at some point got pushed into playing softball instead. Why did that happen and how did that happen?