Competitive international women’s baseball began when Japan sent a nationally selected squad, sponsored by a sports drink company named Team Energen, to Florida to participate in the North American Women's Baseball League’s 1999 South Florida Diamond Classic.

At the 1999 South Florida Diamond Classic, Team Energen showed that they could play at the top level of women’s baseball.

Canada dropped out of international competitions after a disappointing fourth-place finish and did not resume play until the 2004 Women's World Series in Uozu City, Japan.

A team ranging in ages from 15-41 represented the United States well eventually winning the inaugural 2001 Women’s World Series.

The 2002 Women's World Series was played in St. Petersburg, Florida with Japan, Australia and the United States entering teams.

This enormously successful event witnessed new teams from Korea, India, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).