KC Diamonds pro softball debuts with cheers, thrills and victory at Legends Field

As Alexis Hastings walked to the plate, you could feel the weight of the moment pulsate through Legends Field.

Florida Vibe 2, Kansas City Diamonds 1. Two players on base, the momentum shifting in favor of the hometown team.

And then there were the screams.

“Let’s go Lexi; you can do it!”

Heads turned to see who would dare to break the seal of tension in the biggest moment of Wednesday evening’s game, the inaugural home opener for KC’s new pro softball team.

It was Hastings’ mother, and she didn’t stop.

Two balls, two strikes and the Vibe on the verge of snatching back some momentum. This time the family joined in unison.

“Let’s go Lexi; you can do it!”

She did it.

Hastings whacked a triple down the right-field line to bring in two runs and give the Diamonds a 3-2 lead.

The near-sellout crowd went wild. Another fan went over to the family and gave them high-fives. Hastings threw her fist in the air in celebration as she reached third base.

And the Diamonds rallied to win their home opener 5-3.

That moment, with Hastings coming through at the plate, seemed to embody the city’s personality and energy.

It’s the type of moment sports fans live for, the kind that Diamonds founder Jeremy McDowell envisioned when he launched the team last year.

“My belief is we just have a huge opportunity,” he said. “Fastpitch is the next sport in women’s sports that’s going to absolutely blow up. Kansas City is already a great town for women’s sports and sports in general. And so now it’s time to roll out the Kansas City Diamonds.”

If the Diamonds’ home opener was any indication of what the future could look like, McDowell may be right. Approximately 4,424 attended Wednesday’s game at Legends Field.

But the significance of the Diamonds’ home opener extended well beyond attendance or the final score. Throughout the stands, fans from multiple generations saw different things on the field.

For Terri Hanley, it was proof of how much has changed since she played 30 years ago. Hanley played in an era when women’s sports received less recognition. College scholarships were rare. Professional opportunities were nearly nonexistent, and some were ridiculed for playing.

“Back then, women who played were called names I wouldn’t repeat,” Hanley said. “Now, instead of being laughed at and mocked, they’re being cheered and respected.

“Kansas City really comes out and shows support for women’s sports. It means a lot to women in this city.”

For decades, softball players ended their competitive careers after college unless they were among the select few who reached the Olympic level. The Professional Softball League (PSL) and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) are creating opportunities for athletes to continue playing at the highest level.

Holly Malkameus, the aunt of Tennessee infielder Meredith Barnhart, is grateful for where women’s sports is headed for young women like her niece and girls around the world.

“It increases the ceiling,” Malkameus said. “For so long you could only play through high school, and the select few got to play in college. Leagues like this provide opportunities for more female athletes to play professionally and offer more role models for youth athletes. These young ladies are paying a lot of attention to these games because the athletes are a lot more accessible than college.”

Keely Hon, an 11-year-old who plays for the Raymore Rampage, was locked in on the game. Because of the creation of the PSL and the Diamonds, she is getting an up-close look at how her dreams can come true.

“This game shows me people care enough to make it happen,” Hon said. “They can continue to play instead of having to find someone else. There’s a league for you.

“I’m a pitcher, and number 21 (Diamonds player Hope Valdespino) is my inspiration.”

Hastings spent years chasing such opportunities. After a decorated career at the University of Connecticut, which included winning Big East Player of the Year in 2024, Hastings was searching for opportunities to play professionally.

She signed with the Diamonds and was drafted into the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL), where she’ll play in August and September.

“She drove 16 hours to try out for this team,” Hastings’ mother, Dawn, said. “I am so happy that she’s finally able to see all of her dreams come to fruition because she’s worked at this since she was 12.

“That play was her moment.”

Now that the Diamonds have found their home, more moments, more stories and more dreams will come true for women athletes — and those around the team pledge this is just the beginning.

McDowell told The Star he envisions increased sponsorship support, higher salaries for players, expanded facilities and a longer season that allows athletes to remain connected to KC year-round while helping develop the next generation of players.

“We’re not a flash in the pan,” McDowell said. “This thing’s not going to be gone in a year or two, and each year I truly believe we’re going to build upon the first year and continue that momentum that we’ve seen here in the last five years.”