Girls Making Big Strides at Little League Baseball and Softball World Series
Girls are increasingly making their mark in Little League baseball and softball, drawing attention and breaking records this year.
In baseball, Monica Arcuri from Australia became the 24th girl to play in the Little League World Series (LLWS) and the 11th to get a hit at Williamsport. This marks the sixth consecutive featuring a female player. Australian manager Keith Land praised Monica, saying she often outperformed boys on opposing teams.
On the softball side, the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, North Carolina, set attendance and viewership records. The championship game averaged 1.44 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched Little League softball game ever. Pennsylvania won the title with an undefeated 5-0 record, beating Indiana 1-0. Winning pitcher Reagan Bills expressed her excitement, saying she had dreamed of this moment since she was five.
Little League International CEO Patrick Wilson emphasized the importance of giving girls choices in baseball or softball, encouraging participation at every level. Initiatives like the Girls with Game program and the Maria Pepe Little League Baseball Legacy Series, launched in 2024, are helping expand opportunities for female players.
The global reach of girls’ softball is growing, with first-time participants from Brazil and Japan joining the World Series this year. Australia is also leading the way with all-female national tournaments and the Women’s Showcase to highlight top female talent.
The trend reflects a larger movement worldwide. “Women in sports in general are going through the roof,” said Keith Land, highlighting the growing presence of girls in baseball and softball at all levels.
