Women’s Professional Baseball League makes a rainy debut in front of enthusiastic crowd

Fans cheer before the inaugural Women's Professional Baseball League game between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Lexie Knight)

Fans cheer before the inaugural Women's Professional Baseball League game between the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Lexie Knight)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Sarah Hodel and Rachel Koehler arrived at Robin Roberts Stadium more than four hours before the first game of the Women’s Professional Baseball League. Once inside, Hodel stopped periodically for pictures as she walked along the concourse.