The red dirt of Yaxunah squelches beneath bare feet. The golden sun burns low over Yucatan, spilling light across a field that is more earth than grass. A line of women step onto the space not in softball jerseys, but in intricately embroidered huipiles (traditional, handwoven Mayan tunics adorned with colorful patterns), their traditional Mayan garment flowing in the heat like banners. There are no gloves, no cleats, no helmets, just laughter, chatter in Mayan, and a game that feels more like a declaration than a pastime.

In ESPN’s groundbreaking documentary Las Amazonas de Yaxunah, viewers are transported deep into the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to witness a powerful story of Indigenous women’s resilience, pride, and rebellion which is told through the unexpected lens of softball.

Formed in 2018 by a group of women from the small Mayan town of Yaxunah, Las Amazonas started as a casual fitness team. What emerged, however, was nothing short of revolutionary: a team of 26 women aged 13 to 62 who decided to take on a sport long dominated by men, playing barefoot in traditional dress, and without formal equipment. At first, they were mercilessly mocked, even by their own husbands! Now, they’re icons.

Narrated by Yalitza Aparicio (the Oscar-nominated actress from Roma and an Indigenous icon in her own right) the documentary follows the team’s rise from rural shadows to international success. Through sweeping visuals and personal interviews, the documentary captures how these women challenge traditional gender roles, reclaim power in a patriarchal society, and showcase their cultural pride with every pitch and swing.

Their uniform—a hand embroidered huipil—-is not just an aesthetic choice. The flowery and colorful dress is a bold act of defiance. The garment speaks to their roots, their language, and their silent revolution.

The film’s emotional core centers not just on games, but on the bonds of family. Viewers see the way the women practice in the dwindling light, how their small children cheer from the sidelines, and loving grandmothers lace up for innings alongside their beloved granddaughters. These are not athletes groomed for stardom; they are mothers, wives, and grandmothers. But on the field, they become Amazonas (Amazon warriors).

Their breakthrough came in 2023, when they were invited to Arizona to play an exhibition game during Hispanic Heritage Month. Against a collegiate team (University of Phoenix Valley Falcons), Las Amazonas not only held their ground, but they dominated, winning 22–3. That same day, they threw the ceremonial first pitch at an MLB game between the Diamondbacks and the Giants. Suddenly, their names were known beyond the Yucatán Peninsula.

But the film does not let the sparkle of success erase the hardships of the journey. It spotlights the persisting challenges Indigenous women face: limited access to education, persistent machismo, and the erasure of Indigenous languages and customs. Yet through softball, Las Amazonas speak volumes without ever raising their voices.

Their story mirrors that of another Indigenous icon: Lorena Ramírez, a Rarámuri woman from Chihuahua who runs ultramarathons in traditional skirts and sandals made from recycled rubber. Recently, she competed in the 2025 Hong Kong Ultramarathon. Like Las Amazonas, Lorena rose to global fame not by abandoning her culture, but by embracing her heritage. She outran elite runners on global stages, proving that tradition and athleticism are not mutually exclusive, but deeply connected.

Las Amazonas de Yaxunah isn’t just a sports documentary, it’s a cultural landmark. The feature joins a growing wave of media that celebrate Indigenous narratives through art, sport, and identity, rightfully placing these women in the legacy of modern-day trailblazers.

Available on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, the documentary is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of community, tradition, and unapologetic joy. In a world that often sidelines stories like their own, Las Amazonas demand we pay attention and more importantly, that we listen.

Because on a dusty field in Yucatán, with no shoes, no gloves, and no fear, these incredible women are rewriting what victory and sports look like.

Documentary Link: https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/4948612d-3f66-4c03-9ffe-8df2b09757d4/las-amazonas-de-yaxunah-the-amazonas-of-yaxunah