Ela Day-Bédard Returns to University After Women’s Professional Baseball League Season
Ela Day-Bédard traded the diamond for a lecture hall just 24 hours after playing in the championship final of the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League season. The 21-year-old Gatinoise returned to her civil engineering classes at the University of Ottawa following a summer spent playing for the San Francisco Firebells in Springfield, Illinois.
Selected in the third round of the league's inaugural draft last winter, Day-Bédard managed a demanding transition from professional sports back to academia. Upon her arrival on campus, she faced an immediate wave of mid-term examinations with minimal sleep following the team’s postseason run.
Professional Treatment and Daily Uncertainties in Springfield
The WPBL’s inaugural season gathered all four league teams in Springfield, Illinois, throughout August and September. Players experienced a high standard of professional accommodation during the stint. Day-Bédard noted that athletes enjoyed individual rooms, private bathrooms, shared kitchens, and common areas, alongside catered breakfasts, meal allowances, and stadium laundry services.
Despite the comfortable living arrangements, the operational side of the league resembled an organization under construction. Training schedules shifted constantly, and coaches met players in real time. Day-Bédard recalled that one coach approached her upon arrival simply to ask what position she played, highlighting the brand-new nature of the circuit.
Fandemonium and Merchandise Madness Across Illinois
While the WPBL maintained a lower profile in Quebec, the league generated substantial local excitement around Springfield, including television broadcasts on ESPN networks. Residents frequently recognized players during routine errands like grocery shopping, stopping athletes for photographs in public spaces.
Team merchandise vanished from shelves almost immediately upon arrival. Day-Bédard managed to secure a few jerseys for visiting family members during the opening weekend, but noted that acquiring gear for relatives proved exceptionally difficult due to intense consumer demand.
San Francisco Firebells Capture Top Seed Before Final Defeat
On the field, the San Francisco Firebells dominated the regular-season schedule under the guidance of a manager with Major League Baseball experience. The squad finished atop the league standings with 10 victories in 15 games before advancing to the championship series.
San Francisco ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Queens in the decisive title matchup. For her part, Day-Bédard appeared in 12 regular-season contests, recording five hits, one walk, and three RBIs while playing multiple defensive positions, including pitching five times.
Day-Bédard Plans Training After Recovering from Injuries
Day-Bédard’s professional debut followed a challenging rehabilitation process. She suffered an ankle sprain and a torn medial collateral ligament while representing Canada at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup prior to the WPBL season.
Following a period of mandatory rest to recharge in her hometown, she intends to resume training ahead of the next season, though the circuit has not yet confirmed formal plans for 2027.
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