Mo’ne Davis has dominated US search trends this week with news that should excite baseball fans across the country. The 24-year-old former Little League sensation will attempt to make history once again by trying out for the Women’s Professional Baseball League next month. Her return to competitive baseball marks a full-circle moment for the athlete who captured America’s heart over a decade ago.
The Comeback That Has Everyone Talking
Mo’ne Davis announced her intention to try out for the WPBL, joining over 600 players competing for 150 spots in the league’s inaugural draft. The tryouts will take place at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., from August 22-25, 2025. This represents the first opportunity for women to play professional baseball in the United States since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League dissolved in 1954.
The decision to return to baseball wasn’t made lightly. Davis hasn’t played competitive baseball since 2020 when she left the Anderson Monarchs to focus on her college career at Hampton University. “I like to try things,” Davis explained to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “And this was something that I was like, ‘You know what, why not give it a try? Why not help the league grow?’ I’m just not done playing at all”.
From Philly Phenom to National Icon
Mo’ne Davis first captured national attention in August 2014 when she became the first girl to pitch a winning game and throw a shutout in Little League World Series history. At just 13 years old, she delivered 70 mph fastballs for Philadelphia’s Taney Youth Baseball Association, earning a 4-0 victory over Nashville. Her performance was so dominant that it drew an unprecedented 5 million viewers on ESPN and earned her the cover of Sports Illustrated.
The impact of her Little League success extended far beyond baseball statistics. Davis received congratulatory messages from celebrities including Mike Trout, Kevin Durant, and Michelle Obama. She appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon and was named Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. Her jersey now hangs in the Baseball Hall of Fame, making her the first Little League player to achieve this honor.
The Educational Journey That Shaped Her Future
After her Little League fame, Mo’ne Davis pursued higher education with the same determination she showed on the mound. She attended Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, where she excelled in three sports and helped lead her softball team to a state championship in 2018. Her athletic versatility was evident as she contributed to titles in both softball and soccer.
Davis then committed to Hampton University, where she played middle infield for the softball team from 2020-2022. Her college statistics show a player who adapted successfully to the faster pace of collegiate athletics, posting a .333 batting average during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and .219 in 2022 while leading the team with 24 runs scored.
Graduate Studies and Career Development
Following her Hampton graduation in 2023, Mo’ne Davis continued her education at Columbia University, earning a Master’s degree in Sports Management in 2024. Her time at Columbia was supported by an HBCU Fellowship, recognizing her potential as a leader in sports administration. The Ivy League program provided her with crucial business knowledge as she pursues her long-term goal of owning a professional women’s sports team in Philadelphia.
Davis’s academic achievements have been as impressive as her athletic accomplishments. Her graduate work focused on the business aspects of sports, preparing her for a potential front-office career. As she told MLB.com, “Hopefully, I can work my way up to a front office position. Maybe even a general manager. We’ll see where this journey takes me”.
Professional Experience Beyond Athletics
Mo’ne Davis has strategically built her resume through diverse professional experiences. In 2023, she completed an internship with the Los Angeles Dodgers in their video production department, where she edited highlight packages and produced content for the team’s social media channels. Her work impressed management so much that they indicated they would have hired her regardless of her celebrity status.
She has also worked as an ESPN broadcaster for Little League World Series coverage, demonstrating her natural ability to communicate the nuances of baseball to television audiences. Her broadcasting experience includes color commentary for the summer league DC Grays and partnerships with MLB Network personalities.
The Anderson Monarchs Foundation
Mo’ne Davis maintains strong connections to her baseball roots through the Anderson Monarchs program in South Philadelphia. Coach Steve Bandura, who first discovered her talent when she was seven years old, has been instrumental in her development both as an athlete and as a person. The program, based at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, serves as a community anchor that combines baseball instruction with education about civil rights history.
Bandura’s influence on Davis cannot be overstated. He was the one who told her after her Little League fame, “I don’t want 13 to be the peak of your life,” encouraging her to continue pursuing new challenges and goals. This advice has clearly resonated with Davis as she continues to set ambitious objectives for herself.
The Women’s Professional Baseball League Opportunity
The WPBL represents a historic opportunity for female baseball players. Co-founded by Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach for an MLB organization, and Keith Stein, the league aims to launch with six teams in spring 2026. Mo’ne Davis will be joined by other trailblazers including Kelsie Whitmore, who in 2022 became the first woman to sign a professional contract with an MLB-affiliated league.
The league’s tryouts will be held at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, with over 600 players competing for 150 spots. Team USA women’s baseball star Alex Hugo will lead the evaluations, which will include three days of drill-focused sessions before a live game on August 25.
Versatility and Adaptation
Mo’ne Davis plans to showcase her versatility during the tryouts, attempting to make the team as an outfielder, infielder, and pitcher. Her preference is to play center field, a position that has long intrigued her. “I’ve just always liked the outfield for some reason,” Davis explained. “Playing center field, running gap to gap, and making plays that people don’t think you’re going to make. I love stuff like that. And you kind of get to show off your arm, too”.
This adaptability reflects her mature understanding of what it takes to succeed at the professional level. Unlike her Little League days when she was primarily known as a pitcher, Davis recognizes that versatility will be key to earning a roster spot in the competitive WPBL environment.
Physical and Mental Preparation
Training for the WPBL tryouts has required Mo’ne Davis to rebuild her baseball conditioning after focusing on softball for several years. She has returned to the Anderson Monarchs facility in South Philadelphia, working with Coach Bandura to regain her arm strength and adjust her eyes to higher velocity pitches. The preparation has been methodical, starting with long toss before progressing to pitching and batting practice.
“That was good,” Davis said after a recent training session. “It’s like muscle memory.” Bandura’s response reflected his continued confidence in her abilities: “Yeah, it’s only been like six years”. This exchange captures the enduring bond between coach and player that has sustained Davis throughout her career.
Financial Considerations and Net Worth
Mo’ne Davis’s estimated net worth of $500,000 reflects her diverse income streams from endorsements, speaking engagements, and her book deal. Her 2015 memoir “Remember My Name” became a bestseller, while her partnership with M4D3 shoes created a signature sneaker line that supported girls’ education initiatives globally. These business ventures have provided financial stability as she pursues her athletic and academic goals.
The WPBL represents both a competitive opportunity and a potential new revenue stream for Davis. While salary details for the league haven’t been announced, the visibility and marketing potential could create additional endorsement opportunities for participating players.
Impact on Women’s Sports
Mo’ne Davis’s decision to try out for the WPBL extends beyond personal achievement to broader impact on women’s sports. Her participation brings immediate media attention and credibility to the fledgling league, potentially attracting fans who might not otherwise follow women’s baseball. As she stated, “I don’t have anything to lose. It’s not like I’m older, and it’s my last [season to play]. I have plenty of years that I can keep going, so I’m just going to give it a try”.
Her influence on young female athletes continues to resonate. The Anderson Monarchs now field an all-girls team that didn’t exist during Davis’s youth, partly inspired by her success. This pipeline effect demonstrates how her achievements continue to create opportunities for the next generation of female baseball players.
The Broader Context of Women’s Baseball
The WPBL launching represents more than just a new league; it’s a restoration of opportunities that disappeared in 1954. Mo’ne Davis is part of a growing movement of female athletes who refuse to be limited by traditional gender boundaries in sports. Her journey from Little League star to college athlete to potential professional player illustrates the evolving landscape of women’s athletics.
Research shows that while over 1,300 girls played on boys’ high school baseball teams in 2023-24, only nine women played on men’s NCAA college baseball teams in 2024. The WPBL aims to create a clear pathway for female baseball players from youth leagues through professional competition.
Future Aspirations Beyond Playing
Mo’ne Davis has made clear that her ultimate goal extends beyond playing professional baseball. She envisions bringing professional women’s sports teams to Philadelphia, stating, “In 10 years from now, I will be adding a WNBA team and NWSL team to Philly”. Her educational background and professional experience position her well to pursue ownership or executive roles in sports organizations.
Her approach to the WPBL tryouts reflects this long-term thinking. Even if she doesn’t make a team as a player, she’s indicated openness to working with the league in broadcasting or administrative roles. This flexibility demonstrates the maturity and strategic thinking that has characterized her post-Little League career.
A Legacy in Progress
Mo’ne Davis represents more than just a former Little League star attempting a comeback. She embodies the possibility of sustained excellence across multiple phases of life. Her journey from 13-year-old phenomenon to graduate student to potential professional player shows how early success can be transformed into lasting impact.
The upcoming WPBL tryouts represent another chapter in a remarkable story that continues to unfold. Whether she makes the league as a player or contributes in another capacity, Davis has already achieved her goal of helping the league grow and inspiring others. Her presence at the tryouts will undoubtedly elevate the profile of women’s baseball and demonstrate that the dreams of young female athletes can extend far beyond Little League.
Conclusion: The Return of a Champion
As Mo’ne Davis prepares for her return to competitive baseball, she carries with her the hopes of countless young female athletes who see in her story the possibility of their own dreams. Her journey from Little League legend to Columbia graduate to WPBL hopeful illustrates the power of perseverance and the importance of continuing to pursue new challenges.
The August tryouts at Nationals Park will determine whether Davis can add another historic achievement to her already impressive resume. Regardless of the outcome, her willingness to step back onto the baseball field after years away demonstrates the same courage that made her a national sensation in 2014. At 24 years old, Mo’ne Davis is proving that her story is far from over—it’s just beginning a new chapter.
