The Women's Pro Baseball League wrapped its first memorabilia auction with a record sale, as a game-worn Denae Benites New York Heights jersey fetched $15,000 at auction. The sale — run with authentication partner The Realest — ran August 11-23.
Benites wore the jersey on August 1st in the New York Heights' opener against the LA Queens. In that game, the Heights captain went 4-for-4 and launched the first home run in WPBL history, subsequently making the jersey an instant collector's item. The item drew 52 bids before topping the league's debut auction lineup.
Fans placed nearly 3,000 total bids across 111 items sold. The collection featured game-used jerseys, baseballs, bases and other artifacts from the league's first two games. A signed San Francisco Firebells jersey worn by captain Kelsie Whitmore — who tied Benites for the league's home run leader — sold for $9,505, while LA captain Ashton Lansdell's jersey brought in $6,008.
The WPBL will redistribute 100% of the auction's proceeds directly to its athletes.
"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 serves as the league's official memorabilia partner. The company uses a witness-based verification system at every game, collecting and authenticating WPBL jerseys and other items on-site.
The New York Heights jersey record caps a milestone debut for the league, which sold out its Opening Day slate and now presses toward its first-ever championship series.
The WPBL's inaugural title series begins September 16th at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois.
