Historic Moment as Former AAGPBL Players Attend 2025 Women's Professional Baseball League Tryouts in Washington D.C.

In a remarkable event that bridges the past and the future of women's professional baseball, former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) players Jeneane Lesko and Maybelle Blair attended the tryouts for the 2025 Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL) in Washington D.C. on August 22-25th, 2025. The tryouts marked a significant milestone, as they were the first to be held since the AAGPBL’s initial recruitment days back in the 1940s.

The AAGPBL, which operated from 1943 to 1954, was a pioneering league that helped shape women’s baseball during a time when opportunities for female athletes were limited. After its closure, the sport of women’s professional baseball saw little major league development until the recent revival with the establishment of the WPBL.

Lesko and Blair, both trailblazing athletes who played in the AAGPBL, have remained dedicated to promoting women’s baseball. Their attendance at the 2025 tryouts represents not only a personal connection to the rich history of women’s baseball but also a nod to the progress made toward equality in the sport.

Jeneane Lesko, along with Blair, have shared their stories in various documentaries and interviews, inspiring generations of women athletes.

The 2025 WPBL tryouts have been met with excitement and anticipation. They symbolize a new chapter for women’s baseball, as the league continues to draw attention to the athleticism and skill of female players. The presence of Lesko and Blair at the tryouts served as a reminder of the pioneering efforts of the AAGPBL players, whose legacy has laid the foundation for the current wave of female athletes chasing their dreams in professional baseball.

As the WPBL grows and more women strive for a place on its rosters, the history of the AAGPBL remains a touchstone. The 2025 tryouts were not just a showcase of talent, but also a celebration of the journey that women’s baseball has taken over the past seven decades—a journey that continues to evolve with the contributions of remarkable players like Lesko and Blair.