International Women's Pro Softball (1976-1979)

Yes Virginia, there was women's pro softball in the 70's. The International Women's Professional Softball ("IWPS") league started play in 1976 and disbanded after the 1979 season. Although it was short lived, those four years provided life long memories for those involved. What follows is an article about the beginning of the IWPS. This article, entitled "Birth of a League," is from the 1976 San Diego Sandpipers program.

Abner Doubleday would do a doubletake! It only seems right that during our bi-centennial celebration, a new 'revolution' take place in sports. Women's Professional Softball has arrived!!

There's nothing new about women playing softball, they've been at it for over forty years. However, never has there been a professional league solely devoted to women on a team basis. Women's Professional Softball will offer more quality entertainment than ever before, concluding with championship playoffs and World Series.

Dennis Murphy and Billie Jean King: their impact on America - collectively - could revolutionize concept of sports in the 1970's, offering women equality as athletes. Murphy, America's most successful founder of new leagues, has started three leagues people said would never get off the ground; the American Basketball Association, the World Hockey Association and World Team Tennis.

Tennis, the fastest growing sport in America. Why? A primary factor is renewed female participation and a good portion of that is due to the success of Billie Jean King. Murphy and King (a walking conglomerate) combines to form Team Tennis, the first co-ed experience in major sports history. But their new idea necessitated new expertise from somebody in the softball world. Enter America's foremost personality in Women's Softball, Connecticut's Joan Joyce.

With Miss Joyce, executives Jim Jorgensen and L.J. Cella, Murphy and King went about putting the league together. Careful planning, financial stability and credibility are necessary in any new business venture. What was a seed in Murphy and King's head in April 1975 has now blossomed into a 10-team, two division league that began play on May 28th.

The Michigan Travelers were the first to come aboard the WPS followed by charter members Buffalo, San Jose, Santa Ana, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Southern California, Phoenix, Chicago and finally the San Diego Sandpipers.

The ten memberships for the 1976 season are just the start. Groups representing cities all over the country have contacted Murphy, the league's first president, with proposals.

American's women softball players have been in the dark ages. Although the quality of play was outstanding, field conditions and accommodations were poor. Women have given a new look and life to sports. Their accomplishments of the last decade have reached new heights. No longer is the ambitious girl with an education or special skills limited in her field of selection.

The WPS is the first opportunity for women to perform as professionals on a team basis, the first chance to reap the rewards professional male athletes have enjoyed since Babe Ruth made our national pastime. Women's Professional Softball stands at the forefront of the new coming generation. If we may steal a line from the Virginia Slims; You really have come a long way, Baby!

For more about the IWPS, go to https://sites.google.com/site/iwpsoftball.