Events
Join us for these upcoming IWBC events!
For women’s and girls’ baseball events worldwide, visit the Women in Baseball Week calendar.
The International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) invites you to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park. This milestone event showcases the historic Stadium’s restoration and reaffirms IWBC’s commitment to expanding opportunities for girls and women in baseball. The occasion also honors the legacy of Maybelle Blair, a pioneering athlete and advocate whose impact continues to inspire generations of players. IWBC welcomes partners, fans and community members to join for a day of baseball, connection and celebration. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Presented by IWBC, the Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park is Saturday, July 18, 2026. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and feature special guest speakers — including IWBC co-founder, women’s baseball pioneer, and sports trailblazer Maybelle Blair — an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, ceremonial first pitch, photo opportunities, food and beverages, and the first game ever played at the restored Stadium. Special thanks to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, lead partners in the restoration project. Visit www.IWBC.org to learn more about IWBC.
We are proud to be host the 11th annual BFA Nationals, the largest girls’ baseball tournament in the United States, in Rockford, IL. All players and coaches will also get the extraordinary opportunity to watch the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Qualifiers, hosted by the IWBC, which will also be held in Rockford, IL during the same week. For updates, stay tuned to BFA Nationals.
The IWBC is partnering with Bucciferro Family McDonald’s to celebrate the power of women’s baseball during the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage 2026! Together, we’re honoring the legacy of Maybelle Blair, supporting families in need, and creating memorable experiences for fans all week long. Check out the details:
Maybelle Blair Meal (July 21–26): Enjoy the Maybelle Blair Meal at participating Rockford-area Bucciferro Family McDonald’s restaurants. A portion of every meal sold benefits the International Women’s Baseball Center, and fans can redeem exclusive Maybelle Blair-inspired red sunglasses at the July 25 evening Women’s Baseball World Cup game (while supplies last).
Ronald McDonald House Charities Donation Drive (July 22–26): Help support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison by bringing the following requested household essentials to Rivets Stadium throughout the tournament: paper towels, disinfectant wipes, unscented laundry detergent pods, dryer sheets, dishwasher detergent pods, 13-gallon trash bags, and toilet paper.
Mascot & Superhero Night (July 25): Ronald McDonald returns to Rockford for the first time in nearly a decade! Join Ronald, Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie, and other local mascots for an unforgettable evening of family fun, including the ceremonial first pitch and photo opportunities with Ronald McDonald. Attending kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero!
The WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup is an international tournament for women’s national baseball teams, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). The 2026 group stage will be hosted right here in Rockford, Illinois, by the IWBC. Stay tuned to iwbc.org/worldcup/ for updates on schedules, hotels, and tickets.
In conjunction with the Society for American Baseball Research, the Women in Baseball Conference is held virtually in the fall and offers research presentation opportunities focusing on the conference topic or any topic regarding women in baseball, on or off the field. Abstract submission deadlines and registration will be announced in mid-2026 at SABR.org/women-in-baseball-