Mo'ne Davis Drafted to Women's Professional Baseball League

The South Philly native and former Little League star is taking her talents to the new pro league.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 3:24pm

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Mo'ne Davis, the South Philadelphia native who made history as the first girl to earn a win as a pitcher in the Little League World Series, has been drafted 10th overall to a team in the newly launched Women's Professional Baseball League. After a successful career at Hampton University and internships with the Dodgers and ESPN, the 25-year-old is returning to the diamond, this time as a center fielder, to continue breaking barriers in the sport.

Why it matters

Davis' journey from the Marian Anderson Rec Center in South Philly to the national spotlight and now the professional ranks represents the growing opportunities for women in baseball. Her story also highlights the importance of community-based youth sports programs like the Anderson Monarchs in nurturing young talent, especially for underrepresented groups.

The details

Davis first caught the eye of her longtime coach Steve Bandura at age 7, when he saw her throwing a football in the outfield while he was dragging the infield. Bandura helped enroll Davis in the prestigious Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and welcomed her into his family's home to ease her commute. As part of the Anderson Monarchs, Davis and her teammates were able to travel and experience the history of the Negro Leagues. After her breakout performance in the 2014 Little League World Series, Davis went on to play softball at Hampton University, intern with the Dodgers, and work as a broadcaster for ESPN. Now, she's taking her talents to the new Women's Professional Baseball League, where she was drafted 10th overall and will play center field.

  • In 2014, at age 13, Mo'ne Davis became the first girl in Little League World Series history to earn a win as a pitcher.
  • In 2022, Davis graduated from Hampton University and later earned a master's degree in sports management from Columbia University.
  • Last summer, Davis began training to try out for the new Women's Professional Baseball League, which launches this August in Springfield, Illinois.
  • On November 20, 2025, Davis was drafted 10th overall by a team representing Los Angeles in the inaugural WPBL draft.

The players

Mo'ne Davis

A 25-year-old athlete from South Philadelphia who made history as the first girl to earn a win as a pitcher in the Little League World Series in 2014. After successful stints at Hampton University and with the Dodgers and ESPN, Davis is now pursuing a professional baseball career in the newly launched Women's Professional Baseball League.

Steve Bandura

The founder of the Anderson Monarchs youth sports team in Philadelphia, who first discovered Davis's athletic talents when she was 7 years old and helped provide her with educational and athletic opportunities.

Scott Bandura

Steve Bandura's son, who played as Davis's catcher on the Anderson Monarchs and later went on to play professional baseball.

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What they’re saying

“Every kid should have those opportunities. What they do with them is on them. Mo'ne just took hers to the next level.”

— Steve Bandura, Founder, Anderson Monarchs (phillymag.com)

“Doesn't matter that she's been out of the game for five years. Ever the striver, Davis figured she'd give it a try.”

— Steve Bandura, Founder, Anderson Monarchs (phillymag.com)

What’s next

Davis will report to the Los Angeles-based WPBL team in August to begin training for the league's inaugural season.

The takeaway

Mo'ne Davis' journey from the Marian Anderson Rec Center in South Philly to the professional ranks of women's baseball is a testament to the power of community-based youth sports programs and the growing opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated sports. Her story inspires young athletes, especially girls, to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in the world of sports.