2026 summer of Women's Baseball, World Cup, AAGPBL Reunion & Baseball For All

Ryan Woodward joins the show to discuss the incredible slate of women's baseball events coming to Rockford, Illinois this summer, his ongoing Women's Baseball Heritage Trail project, and his recent research trip to Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. The conversation covers the Women's Baseball World Cup, Baseball For All nationals, the All American Girls Professional Baseball League reunion, and the growing recognition of women in baseball history through statues, murals, and archives across the country.Topics Covered:Women's Baseball World Cup group stage coming to Rockford (July 22–27, 2026), with finals returning in 2027Baseball For All - Tournament in Rockford & Loves Park (July 19–25)All American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL) season starting August 1 in Springfield, ILThe Women's Baseball Heritage Trail – approaching 600 identified sites across the U.S.The collections at Bridgewater State featuring scrapbooks from Mary Pratt, Dottie Green, Maddie English, Margaret Russo, Helen Nordquist, and othersWomen's baseball statues and monuments – Mo'ne Davis, Gertie Dunn, and Toni StoneSue Zipay and her work with American Girls BaseballPlant Field in Tampa and the AAGPBL – 7 nights of double headersThe Effa Manley oral history recording at the Happy Chandler Library, University of KentuckyWomens Baseball Heritage Trail - finding unique locations while you are on the road - https://womeninbaseballweek.org/index.php/heritagetrail/Links & Resources:IWBC (International Women's Baseball Center): iwbc.orgWomen's Baseball World Cup Tickets & Info: https://www.iwbc.org/worldcup/ Baseball For All: baseballforall.comAAGPBL Players Association: aagpbl.orgWomen's Baseball Heritage Trail: Available through IWBC / Ryan Woodward https://womeninbaseballweek.org/index.php/heritagetrail/ Women in Baseball Week (July 19–25): womeninbaseballweek.orgBridgewater State University Archives (AAGPBL collections) - https://archives.bridgew.edu/subjects/101  SABR (Society for American Baseball Research): sabr.orgHappy Chandler Library, University of Kentucky (Effa Manley recording) https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7gth8bj15tKey Dates:July 19–25: Women in Baseball Week / Baseball For All Nationals / AAGPBL Reunion – Rockford, ILJuly 22–27: Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage – Rivets Stadium, Loves Park, ILAugust 1: WPBL season begins – Springfield, IL2027: Women's Baseball World Cup Finals – Rockford, IL