sports are gaining unprecedented attention in popularity around the world.

>> Softball.

And now women's baseball are starting to take centerfield in Mexico.

Women's teams filled with Mexican stars as well as former American College standouts are drawing big crowds in partnership with Wt Tw news students from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism went on a reporting trip to Mexico City to explore this phenomenon and players will be playing in the inaugural, Women's Pro Baseball League right here in Illinois.

Starting this Saturday.

>> When you can see, >> someone is a full person full woman on a field was a full athlete as a woman.

I think it's really cool.

And I think that is part of the laws.

>> Women softball is on the rise around the world and here to study blows in Mexico City.

The crowd is excited to see 2 top teams face off.

Jasmine Jackson as an outfielder for lows dropping host him until the city's national softball team.

They're the reigning champs and Mexico's professional league.

There's a big need for space.

Is that?

>> Only girls or only young women, too fail and succeed within their own.

>> Groups Jackson was a division, one athlete for Cal Berkley, ranking 3rd in program history, but no plan to go pro.

But after competing with Team USA and in the Netherlands, blows, gave her call was.

that's very funny, like let's do it.

Let's go.

>> And then ended up here.

And it was like one of the best decisions I've ever made for my entire the Mexican softball league was formed in 2023 with a teams representing cities across the country making this the first time that softball players in Latin America, but a league of their own so much as again, that was why want to throw Florida?

that's what but you one that put him and tell us how we is take a Would like to go with that one too many again, you the cold will get them a list >> He went game.

>> When the city and what you see more Biden, I don't want Even the and a filet a 3rd base for those.

blows says she never thought this league would exist but playing problem in sports was always her dream hide in in a supportive thing U.S.

look at it.

gives the last Sunday.

>> the it is.

they look, I mean, oh, yeah, be starting good enough to play professional baseball in Springfield, Illinois, this summer.

But has become, which is set in a study of this.

Those with us.

>> What a difference.

A new and embraced the and those who knew was going with gun.

And with is a look at with some of them.

those it went over to is they got a yeah.

Even with that, it equal.

Then we'll just notice.

>> The Women's Pro Baseball League or is the first woman professional league since 1950, for taking place in the same city of the first ever paid women's baseball game in 18.

75 got a, you know, size is >> With me.

And then a sudden it's gonna make get through it, going to to make it go as they go into was happening at the border of people come the Fed and let know was going need >> will premiere its 7 week season in August.

May is but okay is with president aboard.

a which is what this could been a somewhat funny as can look at them with crime was get them in >> Mostly idols play in the same stadium as the men's team with the same name and fans show up and show out.

According to the World Baseball Softball.

Confederation, mostly adults have the highest team attendance of 2025.

The entire Mexican softball league.

With 12,000 fans.

But the players say the best fans are the young girls.

They me.

>> Seeking make happen in I about They put this exceeds gun back and let me put a system them floods that.

>> Ige in also its own voting Woodlawn love support this.

And the players say they hope their success inspires the next generation of female athletes in eye.

>> Can be my best.

Not because I'm competing with you, but because I just want to be my best.

It also encourages others to do the same really important that young women and young girls also learned to lift each other up for Northwestern's Madill School of journalism in Wt Tw.

This is Morgan cars and Gabriel Hayward.

>> The inaugural season of the Women's Pro Baseball League begins in Springfield on Saturday.