Sports
The Rise of Women’s Softball in Mexico City
This story is part of a series of reports on life in Mexico City from Medill School of Journalism students in partnership with WTTW News. Read more about the project.
by Morgan Hawes and Gabrielle Heyward
Women’s softball is gaining momentum across the world, and in Mexico, the sport’s growing popularity is creating new opportunities for women and girls who historically have had few places to compete professionally.
Jazmyn Jackson, an outfielder for Los Diablos Rojos Femenil, said seeing women compete at a high level is powerful.
“When you can see someone as a full person, as a full woman on a field, or as a full athlete as a woman, I think it’s really cool and I think that is part of the rise,” Jackson said.
Los Diablos Rojos Femenil is the Mexico City softball team and the reigning champion of Mexico’s professional league. The team plays at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, the same stadium as the men’s baseball team, with the same name.
Jackson said women’s sports are essential for young athletes.
“There is a big need for spaces that are only girls or only young women to fail and succeed within their own groups,” Jackson said.
Jackson was a Division I athlete for the University of California Berkeley, where she ranks third in program history. Despite her success, she didn’t see herself playing professionally. However, after competing with Team USA and in the Netherlands, she received an offer from Los Diablos.
She described joining the team as “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my entire career.”
The Mexican Softball League was formed in 2023, with eight teams representing cities across the country. It marked the first time softball players in Latin America have had a professional league of their own.
For players like Edith de Leija, who plays third base for Los Diablos, the league is something she never thought would be possible.
“I really liked softball because in baseball there were some problems because it was a sport for men,” de Leija said. When she was younger, for example, people would make fun of boys for being struck out by a girl.
“It was annoying,” de Leija said. “But honestly, it helped me a lot to raise my level of play.”
Now, de Leija is living the dream she had as a child.
“Working in this sport where we’re all women honestly makes me very happy that women are opening their own paths and making their own history,” de Leija said.
Her journey will soon take her to the United States to play baseball in Illinois.
“It means a lot because it was a childhood dream,” de Leija said. “Playing in the U.S. as a Mexican, showing our talent and achieving many goals.”
De Leija will be playing for the Women’s Professional Baseball League, the first league of its kind since 1954. Its inaugural seven-week season will take place in August.
“I hope they keep opening doors for us, giving us opportunities to show that we can, too, and that we’re very good at what we do,” de Leija said.
According to the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Los Diablos had the highest game attendance of 2025 in the Mexican Softball League, with more than 12,000 fans.
“Our fans are the best I’ve ever played in front of in the world, which is, like, nuts to say,” Jackson said.
But the players said the most meaningful supporters are the young girls they inspire. Yamilet Sandoval, another player on Los Diablos, doesn’t take this lightly.
“It’s really beautiful that girls follow my steps because it’s a trend or something that I am implementing, or I feel I’m implementing,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval has been with Los Diablos since the league began and quickly became a fan favorite, often recognized for the iconic red bow she wears for good luck. Sandoval said meeting young fans reminds her that representation matters.
“When a girl asks for an autograph, it means a lot because I know I’m doing things right,” Sandoval said.
The players said they hope the league continues to grow and their success inspires the next generation of female athletes.
“When I 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,” Jackson said.
Aldo Hernández contributed reporting in Mexico City.
