By Abby Stone, Class of 2026

Editor’s Note: History Fellowship is a course in which students conduct independent, college-level historical research on a topic of their choice with close faculty mentorship. This paper was selected as one of the seven strongest from this year’s course.

When you hear the words Springfield, Illinois, what do you imagine? You may first remember that the city is the capital of the state, or that Abraham Lincoln gave his “House Divided” Speech at the Illinois State Capitol, or that the city hosts the grand Illinois State Fair. You might then visualize the landscape of a typical rural midwestern city. Old brick buildings adorn the wide streets. The smell of cheese curds wafts from a local food stand to the noses of little children who beg their parents for a treat after a long day in the sweltering hot sun. Maybe these parents are taking their children home from a baseball game at the Robin Roberts Stadium. 

Now, imagine this city specifically on August 1, 2026, when Springfield locals will be flooding that stadium for an exciting baseball game. Fans will eat their hot dogs, fasten their baseball caps, and watch thirty players make history when the umpire yells “Play Ball.” The players will be exhausted from the heat beating on their backs the entire game and their pants will be dirty from sliding on the bases, but it will all be worth it, because this is not just any baseball game, this will be the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League game.

Click here to continue reading: From Strikes Outs to Grand Slams: The Evolution of the Women’s Sports Movement in America from 1943 to Present Day