Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Team Guide – Queensland

05 April 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Team Guide – Queensland

The 2024 tournament like a watershed moment for Queensland women’s baseball for a number of reasons.

In the elite division, Queensland Maroon secured their first medal at a senior women’s championship since 2016 by claiming bronze.

In the youth division, Queensland reached their third straight gold medal game. They ultimately took home silver – just a year after from winning it all.

There’s no question Queensland Women’s Baseball is on the rise.

This year they have two teams entered in the Women’s Championships – an “A” team (Maroon) and a Development Team (White). Can they double down on last year’s success?

Can the Youth squad continue the formidable rise and make it to the championship game for a fourth year running?

Welcome to the preview of Queensland for the upcoming Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships in Melbourne from April 13-19.

For links to more stories, podcasts, schedule and tournament information, visit our Tournament Hub at www.baseball.com.au/women. We’ll be updating everything here.

Make sure you download Baseball+ for broadcasted games. Head to the Hub for scoring links.

QUEENSLAND MAROON: Can young Queensland core improve on their historic bronze medal?

2024 Result: Bronze Medal

It was nearly a silver medal for Queensland in 2024.

They had New South Wales on the ropes in the Preliminary Final, dropping an epic 10-9 classic vs their rivals. It was arguably the most exciting game of last year’s tournament.

They were also closer than anyone to scoring a win over undefeated Victoria. They fell 6-5 in a gripping group stage game.

It certainly put the Australian baseball world on notice.

“Women’s baseball in Queensland is getting stronger every year,” says manager Lisa Norrie. “We are keeping players in the game longer as we have so many off season programs now to help keeping them working throughout the year on growing and developing their skill sets. Baseball Queensland should be commended to that.”

While regulars like Hannah Marshall, Rio Bradley and longtime pitcher Lyndsey Campbell won’t play this year, the team is not short of returning talent.

Shiori Hoshino is arguably the leader and one of the best players in the country. Nicknamed ‘the Boss’, she plays dynamic short-stop and can throw big innings on the pound.

Hoshino hit .429 last tournament while tallying a 1.70 ERA on the bump.

Kya Foxwell has been regarded as one of the elite bats in the women’s game, but has struggled to stay healthy. She looks in great form heading into these nationals. Foxwell has previously played for the Brisbane Bandits in the Australian Women’s Showcase and has accolades from the junior ranks.

17-year-old Molly Paddison will hope to build on her breakout 2024 campaign, one where she co-led the tournament in hits (15), recorded a staggering .536 average and drove in eight runs.

Norrie told baseball.com.au her progression has been fun to watch, in an excellent feature crafted by Eliza Wood.

“It’s exciting to see her evolve into such a well-rounded player, constantly pushing herself to grow. That drive is a big part of what makes her such a special talent,” says Norrie. “Adding pitching back into her game shows how dedicated she is to being the best version of herself, both for her team and for her own growth.”

Above: Molly Paddison had a breakout tournament. Eliza Wood wrote a feature story on the woman they call ‘The Business’ you can read here.

To back up the pitching, Tamika Zamora (below )returns. She took a huge step forward on the hill last year, nearly leading Queensland to a win over Victoria.

But perhaps most intriguing about Queensland are the players they have moving up from last year’s silver medal AYWC side.

Charlotte Stokes is one of them. She tossed 6.2 innings at the 2024 U16 Nationals, allowing just two runs. She also hit .353 with three doubles.

Catcher Holly Moellers won the Golden Glove at the U16 event, and Lila Hall hit .400.

Also catching the eye of selectors and teammates alike is Grace White. She led Queensland White with a .667 average in 2024 and moves to the top team in 2025.

“I think Grace White with the bat is going to have an unreal tournament as she has been grinding hard for this upcoming nationals over the last 12 months,” says Foxwell. “I also think Charlotte Stokes is gonna have a wicked torment on the mound. She is unreal pitcher and baller who is coming up and it awesome to see the young girls showing us older girl we gotta start worker harder than we are now to keep up!”

17-year-old Ashley Van Staden won a gold in 2023 at the AYWC and returns for her second outing with the top Queensland side.

Taliya Paolo was one of the more energising players on Queensland’s development squad in 2024 and gets an opportunity with the top team in 2024.

“We have a great young team this year,” says Norrie “We have lost a few players from last year’s team due to injury and work commitments which will be a big loss but we have gained some great young talent. They are all bought in to our culture of the team and the expectations. They are amazing young athletes and it excites me about the future of women’s baseball in Queensland.”

Schedule:
– April 13, 9:00AM AEST vs South Australia
– April 14, 2:30PM AEST vs New South Wales
– April 15, 9:00AM AEST vs Queensland White
– April 15, 2:30PM AEST vs Western Australia
– April 16, 9:00AM AEST vs Victoria

QUEENSLAND WHITE: Development squad for Queensland looks to cause national tournament chaos

2024 result: Sixth

They may be the development team for Queensland but they insist their not here to make up numbers.

Queensland White wants to win. That attitude is reflected from legendary Emeralds player Karina Connors, the head coach.

“I’m a competitive person and my goal for the Queensland White team is to play Queensland Maroon in the Gold Medal Game,” she says. “It’s a National Championship and everyone has the same chances of winning. We’re trying to build our pipeline of players so that they have as many opportunities to play the best players in Australia.”

Connors joined Amy McCann, Amy Cannington and Tahnee Lovering on the Girls are Players Too podcast and gave incredible insights to the team.

What has Connors excited is the work ethic of her squad.

“We’ve got quite a few younger players coming through our program and they have done everything asked of them and then some,” she says. “They don’t quit and they are resilient.”

A player poised for a breakout could be Amelia Wright, a youngster who moved to Queensland from Victoria. She moves up from the youth age group.

Wright is bringing “fresh energy” to trainings and brings lots of tournament experience, including playing for Australia at the Baseball5 World Cup.

Tiffanie Morris has been injured the last two tournaments. But healthy, strong, and in-form, could be set for a big week.

“She’s been making adjustment with her hitting and I think we’ll see some power from her,” says Connors.

Multiple players have tipped Ash Ruzicka to explode this tournament.

“It’s her first year coming up from youth but she is a weapon in the outfield and on the base paths with her speed,” says Morriss.

Storm Law, Jess Russell, Cathy Rowe and Britt Wylie all may have to pitch crucial innings, too.

“Watch Cathy Rowe,” says teammate Emma Reid. “She has worked tirelessly on both her pitching and short stop skills.”

Reid is a cool story in herself. She has played softball on Victoria’s state team for year before moving to Far North Queensland and dominating a baseball field.

A mum of three, with lots of nationals experience, she could also be a secret weapon.

Three friendship players – Ebony Sutherland, Emma Sullivan and Felicity Clissold – join the squad from Victoria.

“They are picking up some guns,” says Emerald Amy McCann, commentator at the upcoming tournaments and a player in Victoria herself.

Schedule:
– April 13, 2:30PM AEST vs Western Australia
– April 14, 9:00AM AEST vs South Australia
– April 15, 9:00AM AEST vs Queensland Maroon
– April 15, 11:45AM AEST vs Victoria
– April 16, 11:45AM AEST vs New South Wales

AYWC PREVIEW: Can Queensland go to a Gold Medal Game for a fourth year in a row?

2024 Result: Silver

Queensland has played in the last three youth Gold Medal games. Can they make it a fourth?

While many of the players who have won gold (2023) or silver (2024) have moved up a division, there is still a solid core amongst the Queensland U16 group.

In fact, eight players who competed in last year’s championship game are set to return. This has head coach Neal Ragau intrigued by the possibilities.

“I believe we will have a well rounded team effort this year,” says Ragau.

“Some of the players who have aged out over the last two years were part of the youth women’s program for around 4-5 years, starting before covid. This year will see the first group that is fully post COVID, so hasn’t had as much time in our program and experienced as much tournament play that teams in the past have had.”

It means everyone has to chip in.

Among the returners is 14-year-old Bella Nolan. She had 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched last year – that’s some serious swing and miss stuff.

“She’s an amazing player anywhere in the field and she doesn’t buckle under pressure,” says teammate Lillian Fogg of Nolan. “She’s definitely someone you want to play with not against.”

Hannah Elliot (6.2 innings) and Amelia Stephens (9.2 innings) each ate big innings last year and will return to help guide a young squad.

Elliot has been recorded at 70mph off the mound and could be poised for a big tournament if that velocity is there.

Sally Knechtli and Natalie Murphy are two other top-age players to keep an eye on.

Sienna Fens, Bella Nolan, Lucy Plumb and Kayla Sparks area all younger players to watch with multiple years left on the team.

Sparks says some off-field work has helped improve her game.

“My knowledge of the game has improved. I became a scorer over the last 12 months, and it has really helped me have a whole new perspective on baseball,” she says.

Imogine Masters has been working hard and travelling around the world trying to crack this Queensland squad. She finally has.

“I think my pitching has improved a lot,” she says. “I went from barely knowing to what I was doing and just throwing the ball and now I can do what I love at a high level.”

Ragau says overall he’s encouraged with how Queensland women’s baseball is developing.

“It has been growing rapidly and over the next few years I do believe our Open Women’s Maroon team will be playing regularly in the gold medal game at the nationals,” he says. “Our role here in the youth women’s space is to keep producing quality athletes who can then compete for places in the open women’s space. We have instigated an “Elevate” squad this year to also give our younger female players their first step into representative baseball. At club level, the main GBL competitions has seen rapid growth and now boasts a Div 1, Div 2 and Div 3 competition.”

Schedule:
– April 15, 9:00AM AEST vs New South Wales
– April 15, 1:30PM AEST vs Victoria
– April 16, 9:00AM AEST vs South Australia
– April 17, 11:15AM AEST vs Western Australia

Follow baseball.com.au on social media for tournament updates and make sure you visit ‘The Hub’ at www.baseball.com.au/women.

MORE PREVIEWS

03 April 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- Aussies Abroad

What level is every professional Australian baseball players starting at in 2025?

There are 34 Australians with professional contracts in North America or Japan. 23 of them have contracts affiliated with a Major League Baseball club.

An updated list will always be kept via our Aussies Abroad Page.

But, as Minor League Baseball begins, here is where you can find each Australian via the level they are assigned.

02 April 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Corporate News The Perfect Game Women's Baseball

CARVE Eyewear to reward peak performance at Australian Women's and Youth Women's Championships

CARVE Eyewear will be rewarding peak performance at the 2025 Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships.

The performance eyewear company and Baseball Australia confirmed an agreement in time for the premier women’s baseball event from April 13-19.

For the first day of each individual event – Women’s and Youth Women’s – we will name a ‘Carve Performer of the Day’ for each team in the tournament.

The winner of each team will receive sunglasses courtesy of Carve. We will also name a “CARVE Play of the Tournament” for each division.

Carve’s performance eyewear blends cutting-edge technology with sleek design to ensure optimal clarity, comfort and protection in every athletic pursuit.

Their products are crafted for sport. You can view their performance products here.

The national championships run from April 13-19. For information, visit our tournament hub at www.baseball.com.au/women.

MORE INFO

CARVE’s sunglasses are engineered with advanced UV protection, ensuring maximum defence against harmful rays during long hours on the field.

The impact-resistant lenses provide robust durability, perfect for the dynamic and fast-paced nature of baseball. Additionally, our anti-glare lens configurations enhance visual clarity, allowing players to maintain optimum depth perception even in the brightest conditions.

Ensuring highest technical standards, CARVE Eyewear delivers exceptional value, making top-tier performance sunglasses accessible to all Baseballers.

Elevate your game, your own way with CARVE Eyewear—where innovation meets affordability.

02 April 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

ABL

NO MORE Day returns to Women's Championships to make stand vs Domestic & Family Violence

On Wednesday 16 April 2025, the power of sport will once again be harnessed to drive change, as NO MORE teams up with Baseball Australia at the Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Baseball Championships for the annual NO MORE Day.

Now in its eleventh year, this powerful partnership continues to shine a light on domestic and family violence while celebrating the strength of community, leadership, and action.

Players, umpires and coaching staff will proudly link arms before each game today, with teams wearing orange NO MORE sweatbands, umpires in orange shirts.

As part of the campaign, a ‘Spirit of the Game’ Award will be presented to one player from each team, an umpire and a scorer at the end of the tournament who embodies fair play, teamwork, community, and respect on and off the field – setting a positive example for all.

This year’s theme – “What Can I Do?” – reminds us that change starts with each of us.

Whether on the field, in the crowd or watching from home, everyone can take action.

Speak up. Show respect. Start a conversation. Offer support. Challenge harmful attitudes. Small actions create big change.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION

Pledge your action today.

Head to nomore.org.au – or directly to https://tinyurl.com/2025AWYWC – and share your commitment on the pledge board. Join players, officials and fans in showing the world that you are part of the solution.

You can also support this important work by making a donation to NO MORE.

Every contribution helps fund community-led education, prevention and awareness programs across Australia. Visit https://www.nomore.org.au/donate to donate and help create safe homes and communities.

ABOUT NO MORE

NO MORE is a national Aboriginal-led initiative founded by Dr Charlie King AM, working with communities to prevent domestic and family violence through education, awareness, and grassroots action.

For more information, useful links or to support NO MORE’s pages below.

Domestic Violence Action Plan: https://www.nomore.org.au/create-your-own-domestic-violence-action-plan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NOMORE.org.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomore.org.au/

Web: No More | Link up and say ‘No More’ to family violence

Toolkit & Resources: https://www.nomore.org.au/no-more-toolkit-and-resources

If you or a person you know is in immediate danger, call 000. If you or a person you know needs support, please contact the below direct service providers.

VIOLENCE1800RESPECT I 1800 737 732 (24/7)

www.1800respect.org.au – call or chat online

National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling, information and support service.

THE OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

For a flyer on official proceedings in PDF form, click here.

– Orange sweatbands for the players and coaches, who will sport them throughout the day

– Linking of arms before each game;

– Spectators encouraged to wear orange

– Spirit of the Award winners announced at closing ceremonies;

– Baseball community encouraged to take the pledge and donate;

01 April 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

College Baseball

Here are the top performing Australians in the US College System | End of March 2025 Update |

There are over 100 Australians playing some level of college baseball in Australia.

I scavenged the internet, looking at stat lines of all of them I am aware of. Here are some of the key performers at the end of March 2025.

If you’re looking for regular Australian baseball news updates I encourage you to follow us on all platforms at @baseball.com.au. I also do a weekly “news read” of key Aussie headlines, found wherever you get your podcasts.

Did I miss a player I should know about? It happens. There’s a lot to keep track of. Shoot me an email at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au and I can add them to the list.

NCAA DIVISION 1

There are 24 Australians playing NCAA Division I baseball, a record for our country. View the list here.

Billy Baker (QLD) – INF – Georgia Tech – Hit his first homer of his NCAA Division I college career on March 23.

Blake Cavill (NSW) – 1B – Troy – Continuing his strong season. Cavill has 28 RBI in 27 games, a .356 average and and has worked 32 walks. Cavill was recently named the seventh best first baseman in the college system by D1baseball.com. He was also the subject of a pretty hilarious Jomboy breakdown.

Ben Fierenzi (VIC) – INF – Long Island – The Australia U23 national team infielder is heating up. He has seven hits over his past four games and has upped his average to .291.

Brent Iredale (NSW) – INF – Arkansas – Could Iredale be selected in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft? He’s making a heck of a case. Iredale is hitting .353 with nine homers, 42 RBI and 25 walks in 29 games played. He even hit a grand slam last week. D1Baseball.com ranked him as the top third baseman in the country. Arkansas are ranked top five in pretty much every college poll.

Luke Krkovski (NSW) – P – Lamar – His first season at Lamar is turning into a good one. Krkovski has a 1.96 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts.

John Lemm (QLD) – C – Southern Illinois – Lemm has upped his average to .266 through 21 games. He had a huge outing last week when he had three hits, two doubles and five RBI in a game vs Bradley (and fellow Aussie Nick Hosie). Lemm has a homer, six RBI and seven hits in his last five games.

Jimmy Nati (NSW) – UTL – Stanford – Nati is hot. He’s on an 11 game hit streak, went 7-for-13 over the weekend, has homers in back-to-back games, and has smashed four homers, 10 RBI and 13 runs across his last eleven. Nati has a .313 average in his senior year.

Cayden Nicoletto (WA) – OF – Missouri – The first year NCAA Div 1 player keeps impressing. He has a .357 average with three homers in 16 games this year. He even pitched last week, coming out of the bullpen for a successful 1-2-3 inning.

Zak Skinner (VIC) – C – Lamar – Skinner has four multi-hit games over the last two weeks (9GP). His average has increased to .256 after a slow start. He has twelve hits and 6 RBI during this hot streak.

Keenan Spence (VIC) – OF – Purdue – Spence continues to show power in his senior year. He is hitting .302 with five homers and 21 RBI in 26 games so far.

Jarryd Wood (VIC) – RHP/INF – Pacific – The dual threat has earned more game time in the field as of late, hitting .281 in eight games since mid-March. He has a 5.59 ERA in 9.2 IP this season.

NCAA DIVISION II

Joel Hogan (QLD) – P – East Central – In what may be his best appearance of the season, Hogan locked down a win on March 28 for East Central by tossing 3.2 innings allowing just one run off four hits and three strikeouts.

Max Mrakovcic (NSW) – RHP – Arkansas Monticello – Tossed a complete game on the weekend, allowing just one run to lower his ERA to 2.85 on the season. His ERA leads all starters on his team.

Aidan Torpey (NSW) – P- Augustana – A fine couple weeks for Torpey, who tossed 5.1 innings allowing just two hits and one run.

Brock Wollin (QLD) – INF – Emmanuel – In 35 games this season, Wollin has a .326 average with five homers and 10 RBI. He has 17 multi-hit games this season.

William Edwards (NSW) – OF – Sioux Falls – Good start to the year for Edwards, and a strong end to March, in his first year since transferring from McCook Junior College. He is hitting .304 and across his last 11 games and has 10 hits, 3 homers, and 13 RBI while leading the team in outfield assists.

NAIA

Brett Allen (NSW) – P – Reinhardt – Ranks tied for third nationally with seven saves.

Connor Hickey (VIC) – OF – Oklahoma Wesleyan: Hickey continues his torrid form. He is batting .395 with with 12 homers and 38 RBI in 33 games this season. He has 21 extra base hits on the year.

Darcy Barry (SA) – INF – Dakota State – Three homers in the last week for Barry pushes his long-ball total to nine on the season. He’s batting .293 with 9 HR and 30 RBI in 28 games this season, his first at Dakota State.

Kailen Hamson (QLD) – LHP – Cumberlands – A 2.65 ERA with an eye-popping 58 strikeouts in 37+ innings this season.

Jake Green (ACT) – RHP – Lewis-Clark State – Green is back on the mound after a three week absence. In two games this week, he threw 4.1 innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run.

Sean Maple (SA) – INF – MidAmerica Nazarene – His batting average continues to climb, now up to .367 on the season. Maple had a three-hit and four-hit performance in the last fortnight. He has 5 HR and 27 RBI in 28 games.

Cooper Morgan (ACT) – P – Cumberlands – Morgan is trending upward, allowing just four runs over the last two weeks and 10.1 IP. Impressively, he has 30 strikeouts in 20 innings on the season. He won the MSC Pitcher of the Week on March 24.

Ethan Stacy (NSW) – INF – Bushnell – Stacy continues his consistent season, hitting .327 with four homers and 25 RBI in 31 games this year.

Stuart Tharle (NSW) – P – Cumberlands – Two excellent starts in the last two weeks. In one outing, Tharle tossed 5.1 innings with two hits, one walk, one run and five strikeouts. He followed that up with six shutout innings, allowing just four hits.

Riley Watson (NSW) – UTIL – Wayland Baptist – Hitting .321 across 21 games this season and coming off a huge three-hit effort on the weekend.

JUNIOR COLLEGE (JUCO)

Bronson Neave (VIC) – INF – Arizona Western – A season to remember. In 41 games, Neave has four homers, 48 RBI and a polished .388 average.

Max Stagg (SA) – OF – Central Arizona – A really nice opening college season for Max. He is hitting .341 with six homers and 18 RBI with 7 SB in 30 games this season.

Nic Bertucci (VIC) – P / UTIL – Central Arizona – Hitting .313 with the bat and has thrown 6.2 innings this season with a 5.40 ERA.

Jake Calver (QLD) – OF – Central Maine – In 17 games this season, Calver has a .313 average.

Tom Chessell (QLD) – INF – Clarendon – His consistent form continues. In 29 games, Chessell has a .319 average with 2 homers, 19 RBI and 21 runs.

Will Page-Allen (ACT) – P – Feather River – Elite stuff from Page-Allen, who is transferring to NCAA school Fresno State next year. Page-Allen has a 1.02 ERA in 17.2 innings pitched to lead his team.

Lachlan Rosser (NSW) – P – Hutchison – Rosser has pitched the most innings on Hutchison’s roster and to great effect. He has a 2.84 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 34.1 innings on the season.

Adam Mustow (NSW) – Util – Hutchison – He has hits in eight of his last nine games, bumping his average to .368 on the season. In 28 games, Mustow has 29 RBI and five homers.

Myles Chabi (NSW) – RHP – McCook – After not pitching all season, Chabi finally made his debut within the last half of March. In two games, Chabi has tossed shutout innings.

Callum Donnelly (NSW) – OF – New Mexico – Hitting .311 in 15 games so far and hit his first homer of his college career on March 17 vs Clarendon.

Logan Fielder (NSW) – UTIL – North Oklahoma College Enid – He sits among team leaders with a .391 average in 15 games played.

Quinn Johnson (NSW) – C/INF – Pratt – Johnson is piling up the hits, collecting two hits in each of his last four games. He has a .367 average with 5 homers and 21 RBI in 32 games this season.

Josh Ashen (VIC) – RHP – Vernon – In a 40 innings pitched, Ashen has a lot of strikeouts. Make it 50 on the year for a 12.15 K / 9 inning mark.

Koby Chesterton (ACT) – RHP – Vernon – He had an outing last week vs Temple: 5.0IP, 1H, 1ER, 7SO, 0BB.

Travis Finney (VIC) – INF – Yakima Valley – Hitting .372 with 14 RBI in 23 GP with 16 runs.

Team Australia announces coaching staff for 2025 U18 World Cup

Jason Pospishil will lead an accomplished group of Australian coaches at the 2025 Under 18 World Cup.

From September 5-14, the best Under 18-age players will compete in Okinawa, Japan for the title of World Champion.

The skipper, Jason Pospishil, brings plenty of experience to the fray.

Pospishil (below, middle left), affectionately known as ‘Pops’ in Australian baseball circles, is the current manager of Australian’s National Women’s Team (the Emeralds). He led the Emeralds during their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign.

Pospishil coached the Under 18 Australians through the qualifiers in December, 2024.

He brings plenty of punch on his resume including:
– Current manager of the Emeralds, Australia’s national women’s team;
– Former manager of Sydney Blue Sox (ABL);
– Former MLB scout;
– Former assistant coach with Australian men’s senior team;
– Former high performance manager with BaseballNSW;
– Former professional player with the Minnesota Twins’ organisation;

“It’s always an honour and privilege to be asked to lead a team that represents your country. No matter how many times you do it, it always feels the same,” says Pospishil

Joining Pops on his staff is:

– Assistant Coach – Shayne Watson: Long-time assistant coach on the senior men’s team, U23 World Cup manager, former Brisbane Bandits manager.

– Assistant Coach – Damian Shanahan: Long-time assistant coach on senior men’s team, U23 World Cup assistant coach, Melbourne Aces assistant coach, Performance Pathways coach with Baseball Victoria;

– Pitching Coach – Justin Clark: Long-time pitching coach for South Australia, U18 Pitching Coach at Perfect Game Trips to USA

– EO – Andrew Riddell: Baseball Australia’s National Player Development Manager and New York Mets Scout.

“I am looking forward to working together with the Coaching Staff and BA player development staff to prepare this team to compete in the 18U World Cup in September,” says Pospishil.

“Along with the help of the relevant state performance pathway leads, I am fully confident that our athletes will be in a space to compete and work towards being the number one tournament team in the world.”

Team Australia U18 will host a national selection camp on the Gold Coast in August. Invitations were sent to 29 players in February. You can view the list here.

For information on the 2025 U18 World Cup, you can visit the WBSC Website.

31 March 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

Women's Baseball

Caitlin Eynon: The world-class talent chasing baseball greatness & inspiring the next generation

feature story by Eliza Wood ahead of the 2025 Australian Women’s Championships

If you are a young baseball player in need of a role model, someone to look up to, to inspire you, then look no further than Western Australian baseballer Caitlin Eynon.

She is the epitome of the existing opportunities for female baseballers in Australia – and she’s only 21 years old.

Despite pressure to pursue softball in her early years, nothing could draw her away from the game she’s loved since she was seven.

Driven by this passion for baseball, Eynon always knew she would challenge the status quo.

“[Even] from back then I sort of wanted to be the person, or the one person to push those boundaries,” she asserts.

And push she has, if her resume is anything to impress you by.

She made her senior women’s national championship debut at the age of 13. To date she has played in three Australian Baseball League Women’s Showcases for the Adelaide Giants (below) and spent time abroad training in Japan.

In 2023, Eynon represented Australia at the World Cup.

She also won gold with team WA at the Australian Women’s Championships, where she was hit .481 in the tournament and unleashed a three-hit, three-run performance in the gold medal match.

Additionally, coming as no surprise, she historically has some of the best numbers in the WA state league.

In 2023-24 she recorded a season with numbers so unfathomable they feel like a typo: 21-for-23 with a homer, 15 RBI and 25 RBI in just nine games.

Eynon played predominantly with the men in 2024-25 in the State League Reserves, Western Australia’s Division II equivalent, chalking up a solid .380 on-base-percentage in 16 games while chucking 7.2 innings on the mound with five strikeouts and four earned runs.

A total athlete, it’s clear Eynon possesses a calibre that can’t be overstated – positional versatility.

Not only is she an elite shortstop – the most demanding position to master, but she is also on record for being one of the hardest throwing female pitchers in Australia, clocking 74mph.

“They go very hand in hand,” she says. “As a pitcher you’re constantly checking in with your shortstop, as a shortstop you’re constantly checking in with your pitcher for plays.”

Eynon shares an equal love for both positions, something she’ll have to do for Western Australia in April’s national championships.

“I enjoy the freedom of being able to use my feet [at shortstop], it requires a lot of athleticism which is something I’m constantly working towards… as the pitcher you set the tone of the game, you’re in control of the speed of the game and everything that’s happening around you,” she says.

Jason ‘Pops’ Pospishil, head coach of the Emeralds, attests to Eynon’s ability.

“She is a Top 3 short stop in the world right now,” says Pospishil. “Her combination of arm strength, foot speed and bat to ball skills puts her in the upper echelon of world class players.”

With an unrivalled skill set, Eynon is eyeing off her dreams and checking them off one by one.

She started with time in Japan, perhaps the world’s most devout baseball national. Eynon jumped at the opportunity to train there in October 2023.

Even with the language barrier, Eynon couldn’t speak more highly of her experience and the learnings she took away.

“I could barely communicate with them, they could barely communicate with me, but when we were playing baseball it really did bring us together, we were speaking a language through baseball,” she says.

“They had a very big attention to detail,” she continues. “Their dedication and drive to being the best athletes they can be was just awesome. They play with so much respect for the game and for each other as well… I gained a whole new appreciation for baseball.”

Returning home with a clear focus and more determination than ever, Eynon has barely scratched the surface with where she’s dreaming of taking her career.

Fast-forward to October 2024, which brought a game changing announcement to the world of women’s baseball.

The unveiling of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) in America.

Looking to re-write history by offering women baseballers worldwide, the opportunity to showcase their talent on the stage they deserve.

Co-founded by baseball pioneer Justine Siegal, the WPBL is set to commence in 2026 running from May-August.

Scouting camps/trials and a league draft are in the works for 2025.

Featuring six teams, the WPBL will consist of a regular season, playoffs and championship.

This bombshell dropping sparked Eynon’s interest straight away, prompting a quick application from WA’s star baseballer.

“That’s what my goals are based around now, that and the World Cup next year,” she states. “Just being able to put all your time and energy into baseball, not having to worry about anything else, except for playing baseball – that’s most of our goals really.”

“No doubtedly she is one who could play in the newly created WPBL,” says Pospishil. “It would be so beneficial to our program to see as many players from Australia have the opportunity to play in the league.”

Alongside the WPBL, Eynon’s number one priority always lies with representing her country on the world stage.

The Emeralds will begin their World Cup campaign in 2026 with the finals to take place in 2027.

“My number one priority will be the Emeralds. Making sure I can do everything I can to bring success to that team next year when we go to our group stage,” she says.

Eynon is always focussed on the task at hand. Her motivator? Achieving success.

“The most impressive asset [she has] is that all she cares about is winning. She doesn’t get caught up in worrying about anything else that does not have an impact on winning,” says Pospishil. “Culturally, in a national team environment, we need to get to a space where all of our athletes care about the things that have an impact on winning and nothing else.”

Staying healthy and continuing to get stronger are other key areas Eynon will keep going after, as she strives to reach new heights and maximise her potential.

Away from the physical parts of the game and her personal career, an aspect of great importance to her is progressing in her leadership skills.

“I really tried in the last 6-12 months growing into more of a leadership role,” she says. “I definitely want to try and develop that over the next couple of years and make myself someone that the younger girls can look up to and be the best role model I can be for them.”

Speaking from her own experience, if she could offer one piece of advice to the next generation of aspiring baseballers, that encapsulates all that she believes it would be…

To play with confidence.

This is such an underrated yet instrumental piece of advice, that any young athlete would relish in knowing and applying to their own game.

Just from talking with Caitlin, it doesn’t take long to realise that she is undoubtedly a leader and role model in the making – if she isn’t already considered one.

Even though the pathways and opportunities to excel as a female playing baseball in Australia, aren’t so clear cut and perfectly laid out, they most definitely do exist.

And Caitlin Eynon is a grand slam example of it.

Victoria's Ryan Langworthy to attend college on a golf & baseball scholarship

Victorian Ryan Langworthy is merging his love of baseball and golf into an academic opportunity in the United States.

Langworthy, a utility player from Moorabbin Panthers and Dingley Baseball Club, accepted a scholarship to Division 1 Junior College (JUCO) at York County Community College in Maine.

He will play both baseball and golf.

“What led me to choose York County is it fit my criteria in having my degree of choice in Philosophy, they allowed me to play both sides of the field and the chance to play two sports.”

Langworthy has been on notice in the Victorian system for some time.

He represented Australia at an Under 12 World Cup, played charter baseball, for the Under 16 state team and in the state league.

“These opportunities have seen me competing with the best players of my age since I was young,” says Langworthy.

“A few people I feel have influenced me on my journey as a baseballer are my parents, my brother Mitch, coach Ben Laux, Damian Shannahan, Kelli Zablan, Travis Blackley, Matt O’Neil, Andrew Riddell & Rick Williams,” he says.

Langworthy is a two-way player with an off-speed he can land for strikes.

He’s looking forward to getting back on the field at a high level after missing his last year of AYC eligibility due to injury. He says while he’s away at school he wants to improve his strength & speed on the mound and in the batters box.

“At this school I feel I will develop my fastball with having a program which will focus on the spin efficiency to gain extra velocity,” he says. “I also feel I will develop my swing to become more short and compact whilst staying in the zone for a longer period of time.”

He’s played in many events through Baseball Australia.

He says baseball has helped teach him a great deal of perseverance.

“Since a young age I’ve been injury prone, receiving multiple surgeries. It taught me to persevere physically along with mentally to gain back strength. After having the surgeries I had to persevere through many rehab exercises to get back my ability & strength after constant set backs,” he says.

PTP extends partnership with Baseball Australia, Team Australia, and national events

Australian owned and operated PTP will continue to help power marquee baseball events in Australia.

It’s an extension of a partnership that has lasted nearly a decade between the sport and PTP, a leading brand in sports performance.

“Apart from our wonderful existing relationship, we love the athleticism and power of the baseball athlete,” says Chris O’Sullivan, head of PTP Sales & Marketing. “Baseball is an important sport in our international markets.”

They will have a presence at the upcoming Women’s National Championships in Melbourne from April 13-19, 2025. They were also there for the Australian Youth Championships in January.

PTP’s wide range of strength and conditioning products help make baseball players stronger and more powerful.

They are Australia’s destination for training equipment and devices for home, park, the gym or anywhere you need!

They are designed by elite athletes with the idea of smarter movement and better recovery top of mind.

You can view a variety of baseball specific products – from pitch bands, to resistance systems, foam rollers, weights, grips, massage balls and more – at ptfit.com.

They’re even offering a discount code to celebrate their extended support of the baseball community.

The baseball community can grab a 50% discount on the PTP Training App by using the code BASEBALLAUS-50. You can find download links to the app here. Instructions on how to download the app and redeem the code can be found here.

“We are a premium but affordable brand who have all the tools to help baseballers at the elite and grass roots level to warm up pre-game and recover post-game, ensuring smarter movement and better performance,” says O’Sullivan.

PTP will be supporting and have a presence at the Australian Youth Championships in January – an event for the top U18 and U16 baseballers in the country with Major League Dreams.

They are also the band of choice for Team Australia.

Visit ptfit.com today and get the tools you need to power your game with PTP. Use the code ‘ PTPBASE15′ for 15% off all products until October 31, 2026.

26 March 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- Aussies Abroad

Two Australians, Curtis Mead & Liam Hendriks, crack Major League Baseball Opening Day Line Ups

photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press

UPDATE: Liam Hendriks was placed on the 15-day injured list just hours before first pitch, and about 12 hours after initial publish time.

Two Australians will appear on opening day rosters of Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs as the US professional season begins on Friday morning.

Adelaide’s Curtis Mead has cracked the Tampa Bay Rays roster. It comes after the 24-year-old was among the statistical leaders of Spring Training, forcing his way on the roster with a remarkable .524 batting average in 42 at-bats.

His 22 Spring Training hits ranked second in the MLB.

Mead notably spent the 2024-25 off-season at home in South Australia training with the Adelaide Giants and putting on 15+ pounds of muscle. He talked about his off-season regime in a great MLB.com article.

“It’s obviously nice to see some balls hard and hit some hard. It gives you confidence heading into the season,” he says. “I want to control what I can and make the most of the opportunities when I get them.”

Mead received an MLB call-up in 2023. He played well enough to earn a starting position on the Rays’ 2023 Playoff Squad, becoming the first Australian to record an RBI in MLB history.

His 2024 season was a little bit inconsistent, spending the year split between Triple-A and the Major League club.

After a strong Spring, Mead says he feels good about the Rays chances this season.

“We had a lot of high-level pitchers out with injuries last season,” he says. “We get them back and hopefully we can get back to where we were in 2023.”

Meanwhile, Liam Hendriks is set to make history of his own with the Boston Red Sox.

The 36-year-old from Perth will set the record for most MLB seasons by an Australian when he pitches next. It will be season number 14 for the three-time All-Star.

Famously, Hendriks overcame cancer in 2023. Later in the season he injured his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery. He did not pitch in 2024.

He signed a three year deal with the Red Sox last year.

They are two of 17 Australian Baseball League players to appear on Opening Day Rosters.

The Tampa Bay Rays play the Colorado Rockies at 7:10AM AEST on Saturday in a three game series.

The Boston Red Sox play the Texas Rangers at 7:05AM AEST on Friday in a four game series.

For more information on the MLB season schedule, visit www.mlb.com.

24 March 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

ABL

Team-first, dream-driven: Molly Paddison is focused and raising the bar

by baseball.com.au writer Eliza Wood, for more stories visit www.baseball.com.au/women.

Molly ‘The Business’ Paddison is giving all new meaning to the nickname that was bestowed upon her at last year’s nationals.

The 17-year-old from Queensland was a breakout star of the 2024 Australian Women’s Championships.

In her first year at the senior level, Paddison co-led the tournament in hits (15), recorded a staggering .536 average, drove in eight runs and helped Queensland win a bronze medal – their first since 2016.

It consolidated her performance in the Under 16 division just a year prior, a tournament where she claimed MVP honours.

She was rewarded with selection to the Brisbane Bandits squad for the professional Australian Women’s Showcase and is firmly on the radar of national selectors.

But the truth is, Molly is only just getting started.

Relentlessly dedicated to the game she’s loved since the age of four, the now 17-year-old has her sights set higher.

Aspiring for greater success is one thing; holding yourself accountable and committing to it, is another.

Paddison is the latter.

Levelling up her game not only to pursue her own dreams of being an Emerald one day, but most importantly to revel in and share success with her teammates.

The appreciation and gratitude she has for the support system around her can’t be faulted.

“I know I wouldn’t be in the spot I am today without them,” says Paddison. “They’ve all helped me get to where I am.”

Her team-first mentality is what sets her apart, a quality that shines bright according to Queensland’s head coach Lisa Norrie.

“She’s not just focused on her own success, she genuinely cares about the growth and success of everyone around her,” says Norrie. “Despite her talent, she is always the first to credit her teammates for their achievements, understanding that baseball is a team sport where success is built on collaboration.”

In other words, she just tries to be one ninth of the equation.

Less than a month out from the big dance, it’s all starting to ramp up, up north.

Molly’s current training week is totalling 20 hours of combined on and off-field work and playing 2-3 games on weekends.

She devotes herself to the game by capitalising on every minute of every hour.

“Molly’s work ethic is exceptional, showcasing a blend of dedication, discipline, and passion for the game. She approaches every practice and game with tireless commitment to improvement,” affirms Norrie (below).

A gifted talent, Paddison has been working hard on many aspects of their game to elevate it further.

She’s already a strong hitter and while she has continued to hone in on her craft, she is pushing her self to become a lethal dual threat.”

“I’ve always worked hard on my hitting but I’m also working hard on my pitching, so I can bring another aspect to the team if needed,” says Paddison.

Norrie is very aware of this too.

Paddison has also learned a lot about the importance of recovery and nutrition, areas that haven’t been commonly emphasised in the past due to her age.

Now equipped with a better understanding of how you take care of yourself off the field, it allows you to perform at your best on the field.

This is pivotal knowledge for any athlete – especially when you’re about to compete day in and day out against the country’s best.

Not only has Molly enhanced her focus in these parts of her game, but she is also making strides in her mental game. Learning how to cope and manage the pressure that comes with having the talent she possesses and backing up past performances.

“I’m pretty nervous I’m not going to lie… there’s that level of pressure… I performed so well last year how can I top that this year? How can I help my team to go one better this year,” expresses Molly.

For Paddison, the key to navigating this is the simplicity of what sport is all about: enjoyment.

“I play better when I’m having fun,” she says.

Proudly repping the Queensland maroon alongside her teammates, an honour that means so much to her, is what forms her love for the game. By bringing herself back to the importance of that, is when Molly knows she can perform at her best.

In times of learning and growth, it’s clarity like this that can truly impact the most.

It’s safe to say heads will be turning yet again, when this teen sensation enters Melbourne Ball Park this coming April, as in case it wasn’t clear – Molly means business.

News