### Historic Milestone: Kelsie Whitmore Becomes First Overall Pick in Women's Pro Baseball League Draft Kelsie Whitmore has made history by being selected as the first overall pick in the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) draft, marking a significant moment in women's sports. This selection not only highlights Whitmore's exceptional talent but also revives professional women's baseball in the U.S. for the first time since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which operated from 1943 to 1954. The draft took place on November 21, 2025, with the San Francisco team making the historic choice. Whitmore, a former standout at Cal State Fullerton and a two-way player, is set to begin her professional career in August 2026, following the Women's Baseball World Cup scheduled for July 22-26, 2026 [https://inews.zoombangla.com/kelsie-whitmore-makes-history-as-first-pick-in-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-draft, https://patch.com/california/san-francisco/kelsi-whitmore-no-1-draft-pick-new-womens-pro-baseball-league]. ### Structure of the Response: Key Segments 1. **Background of the WPBL**: Overview of the league's inception and significance. 2. **Kelsie Whitmore's Journey**: Details on Whitmore's career and achievements leading to the draft. 3. **Draft Highlights**: Key moments and other notable selections in the draft. 4. **Future of Women's Baseball**: Implications of the draft for women's professional baseball. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Kelsie Whitmore's Achievements**: - First woman to play professional baseball since the 1950s with the Sonoma Stompers in 2016 [https://www.yardbarker.com/softball/articles/former_cal_state_fullerton_softball_star_picked_no1_overall_in_wpbl_draft/s1_17749_43101119]. - Two-time silver medalist at the Women's Baseball World Cup and gold medalist at the 2015 Pan-Am Games [https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3404635/whitmore-goes-no-1-in-womens-pro-baseball-league-draft]. - **Draft Details**: - The WPBL draft included 120 players and was conducted in six rounds [https://www.espn.co.uk/espn/story/_/id/47043509/kelsie-whitmore-goes-no-1-womens-pro-baseball-league-draft]. - Other notable picks included Ayami Sato (No. 2) and Kylee Lahners (No. 3) [https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3404635/whitmore-goes-no-1-in-womens-pro-baseball-league-draft]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Women's Baseball **Kelsie Whitmore's selection as the first overall pick in the WPBL draft signifies a groundbreaking moment for women's professional baseball.** 1. **Historic Selection**: Whitmore's pick revives a long-lost tradition of women's professional baseball in the U.S. [https://www.local10.com/sports/2025/11/20/kelsie-whitmore-selected-first-mone-davis-picked-10th-in-1st-womens-pro-baseball-league-draft]. 2. **Whitmore's Legacy**: Her journey from collegiate softball to professional baseball serves as an inspiration for future generations of female athletes [https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/11/21/san-francisco-womens-pro-baseball-whitmore-mone-davis-oakland-ballers-draft-wpbl]. 3. **Future Prospects**: The WPBL is set to begin its inaugural season in August 2026, promising to provide a platform for female athletes to showcase their talents [https://www.wcvb.com/article/womens-pro-baseball-league-boston-player-draft/69512883]. This momentous event not only celebrates Kelsie Whitmore's achievements but also paves the way for a new era in women's sports, encouraging more female participation in baseball at all levels.