Thirteen-year-old Mo’ne Davis walked to the mound with millions of people watching. No girl had ever done what she was about to do. This is the true story of the pitch that put her on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the history she made before she’d even finished eighth grade.

With the launch of the new Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL), there's never been a better time to revisit the story of the girl who changed baseball forever. Before today's generation of women professional baseball players had a league to call home, Mo'ne Davis showed millions what was possible and inspired a new era for girls who dream of playing baseball at the highest level.

SOURCE LIST:

1. ESPN / espnW, "A Stunning Run: How Mo'ne Davis and Taney Little League Got To Williamsport" (August 14, 2014). Primary source for Mo'ne's discovery by Coach Alex Rice in 2008, her early years with the Anderson Monarchs, Taney's journey to Williamsport, and firsthand accounts from Mo'ne, her family, and coaches.
2. Associated Press, "Mo'ne Davis Throws Shutout in Little League World Series" (August 15, 2014; via Fox News). Official game coverage of Mo'ne's historic shutout over Nashville, including the box score, postgame quotes, and crowd reaction.
3. ABC News, "Mo'ne Davis Makes Little League World Series History" (August 15, 2014). Coverage of Mo'ne's 70 mph fastball, her comments about being nervous before the game, and the national attention surrounding her performance.
4. NBC Sports / CBS Sports (August 15, 2014). Confirmation that Mo'ne became the first girl to throw a shutout in Little League World Series history, along with reactions from Major League Baseball players.
5. Sports Illustrated Kids, SportsKid of the Year (December 2014). Mo'ne's account of never having thrown a baseball before joining the Anderson Monarchs, her rapid development as a pitcher, and reflections on her breakthrough season.
6. Little League International, 2014 Little League Baseball World Series Tournament Records. Official tournament bracket, Taney Little League's regional and World Series path, game results, pitching distance, and tournament statistics.
7. Columbia News (2024). Mo'ne's reflections on attending Hampton University and Columbia University, balancing academics with athletics, and looking back on her baseball journey.
8. Associated Press (2023; via AOL). Coverage of Mo'ne's internship with the Los Angeles Dodgers and her continued involvement in professional baseball.
9. Sports Illustrated (On SI) (November 2025). Mo'ne discussing why baseball—not softball—has always been her first love, and her pursuit of professional opportunities in the sport.
10. CBS Philadelphia (August & November 2025). Coverage of Mo'ne's Women's Pro Baseball League tryout, her return to competitive baseball, and her reflection that she didn't want age 13 to be the peak of her career.
11. USA Today (December 2025). Coverage of Mo'ne's selection in the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League draft, her signing, and details surrounding the league's launch.
12. Wikipedia, "Mo'ne Davis." Used for chronology and orientation only. All load-bearing facts verified against primary reporting and official sources before inclusion.

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