In a landmark moment for the Women’s Pro Baseball League, a game-worn jersey belonging to Denae Benites of the New York Heights sold for a remarkable $15,000 during the league’s inaugural memorabilia auction held from August 11 to 23. The auction, conducted in partnership with authentication firm The Realest, set a new standard for the WPBL’s efforts to celebrate and monetize its emerging history.
Benites wore this historic jersey on August 1st during the New York Heights’ season opener against the LA Queens. In that game, the Heights’ captain made an impressive 4-for-4 performance and hit the first home run in WPBL history, instantly elevating the jersey to a prized collector’s artifact. The item attracted intense bidding activity, receiving 52 bids before ultimately topping the league’s debut auction lineup.
Strong Fan Engagement Drives Auction Success
The auction featured a total of 111 items, including game-used jerseys, baseballs, bases, and other memorabilia from the league’s first two games. Nearly 3,000 bids were placed by fans eager to own a piece of WPBL history. Among the highlights was a signed jersey worn by Kelsie Whitmore, captain of the San Francisco Firebells, who tied Benites as the league’s home run leader. Whitmore’s jersey sold for $9,505. Meanwhile, the jersey of Ashton Lansdell, captain of the LA Queens, fetched $6,008.
Reflecting the league’s commitment to its athletes, 100% of the auction proceeds will be redistributed directly to the players, reinforcing the WPBL’s support for its talent.
“We are thrilled by the incredible response to our first auction with The Realest,” said WPBL CEO Keith Stein. “The passionate bidding and high viewership numbers demonstrate the deep connection our fans have with the league and its athletes.”
The Realest, serving as the WPBL’s official memorabilia partner, employs a witness-based authentication process to ensure the legitimacy of all auctioned items, providing collectors with confidence in their purchases and helping preserve the league’s growing legacy.