AYWC Wrap-up

AYWC Wrap-up

The Australian Youth Women’s Championships recently concluded, featuring notable performances from players, Lila Hall and Charlotte Stokes. These athletes demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament, leaving a lasting impression on spectators. Exploring their personal stories and journeys provides insight into the dedication and passion that drove their success on the diamond.

Q&A WITH LILA HALL

What position/s did you play during AYWC? 
 
Catcher and DH
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
Individually– being awarded the Spirit of the Game award for the QLD Youth Team. 
 
As a team– how we played for each other on the field, we didn’t give up when we were down and made some pretty close comebacks. We got behind our pitchers which really helped them get through those high pressure moments.
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
Obviously, the competition and level of play is a lot higher and more consistent. The lead up is more intense mentally as you prepare to represent your state on a national stage.  This year was my last year in youth so on one hand I felt confident being one of the more experienced players but on the other the expectation to perform can make you get in your head a bit more.  Playing nationals makes you grow as a player though and it’s something that I look forward to every year now.
 
From your AYWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
Individually– I’m always wanting to better myself – physically, emotionally and mentally.   There’s always something I can be better at whether it’s behind the plate, with the bat or as a team mate. 
 
As a team– Baseball is a mental sport and you need to be resilient and able to shake things off quickly to be ready for the next play. We all know how quickly the game can turn around so it’s important to always keep your head up and keep playing hard.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
It’s all fun. Meeting players from other states, hanging out with all my QLD friends in Opens when I could as a lot of them were in the youth team with me last year. Going out for dinner each night is always good too. 

Q&A WITH CHARLOTTE STOKES

What position/s did you play during AYWC? 
Pitcher and 1st Base
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
My proudest individual moment was when I was playing first base and I took a catch in foul territory over my shoulder, leaning over the fence. It’s the first time I’ve ever taken a catch over the fence and it was in a really tight game against South Australia in the medal round trying to qualify for the gold medal game. It was the third out so I was very relieved when the ball ended up in my glove! That game was also my proudest moment of us as a team, holding on and staying calm to win in a walk off in the bottom of the last innings! When we won, we were all jumping around and hugging each other – it was SO exciting!
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
Playing at nationals is different to State Titles because you are staying with the team the whole time and it’s like living in a baseball bubble with your friends. Staying with the team and being together is a lot of fun, on and off the field.  You also get to play in the same team as girls from other clubs and regions in Queensland and get to know them better, when normally you play club ball against them. Playing against other States is great to see how we measure up to other players around the country.
 
From your AYWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
Overall, I’m really proud of how we went as a team. One thing I think we could work on would be with our hitting and trying to increase our extra base hits. We did hit well but our offence would be even better if we could find the holes in the field a bit more often.
 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
There were so many fun moments we had during the trip. One of my favourites was during the game against NSW while we were waiting on the field during a long delay. Someone got a hand warmer out of their back pocket and we played hacky sack with it and had some laughs. Another one was at the field before our game on DFV day (when we wear the orange socks) – we decided to get the whole team to stand in a circle and we tried to all jump up and click heels at the same time – including the coaches! It was pretty hilarious.

AWC White Wrap-Up

AWC White Wrap-Up

The Australian Women’s Championships recently concluded, featuring notable performances from players, Brittney Finlayson, Taliyah Paolo and Storm Law. These athletes demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament, leaving a lasting impression on spectators. Exploring their personal stories and journeys provides insight into the dedication and passion that drove their success on the diamond.

Q&A WITH TALIYAH PAOLO

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
 
I played shortstop and second base.
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
I made multiple plays throughout the tournament and hit really well after coming back from a long recovery period due to injury. As a team, not everyone knew each other and we met for the first time while playing in the tournament, so I’m proud of how we spent time getting to know each other and that there was improvement in each game we played.
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
 In State Titles we are representing our region, whereas at Nationals, we’re proudly representing our entire State. There is alot more pressure, but that just makes the game better. You are facing the best players from across the Country and the quality of the game is higher, pushing me to play harder. 
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
I need to learn not to doubt myself as much and to be more confident. I also need to stop putting so much pressure on myself. As a team, we worked really well with the bats and offence, however I think we can work on our defence and make less errors.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
My favourite fun moment throughout the experience was when we had our meals together. We all spoke to different team members at each meal, exchanged stories and shared laughs. We were a big group of friends hanging out.

Q&A WITH brittney finlayson

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
Catcher and DH
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
Being catcher when my pitcher team mates got their first nationals strike outs and the times when the team got on a hitting streak to win the innings.
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
Living and breathing baseball for 8 days! I loved that about nationals! 
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
I have come home feeling very motivated after playing amongst the best in the country and I’ll spend the next 12 months with my Townsville team mates getting stronger. I think it took us a few days to get warmed up this year. Hopefully next year we can start the tournament with the momentum we started to see towards the end.
 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Georgie’s cooking and the team dinners!

Q&A WITH STORM LAW
What position/s did you play during AWC? 
I was a pitcher and 3rd base
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
Proudest moment of was getting my first national strike out and how it made me feel. 
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
The national competition was bigger on a different level and more competitive. It felt like a better competition as it was more on my level of skill.
 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Making new friends and relationships with people who I knew but never had a chance to get to know personally.

AWC Maroon Wrap-Up

AWC Maroon Wrap-Up

The Australian Women’s Championships recently concluded, featuring notable performances from players, Lyndsey Campbell, Ashley Van Staden and Britany Wyllie. These athletes demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament, leaving a lasting impression on spectators. Exploring their personal stories and journeys provides insight into the dedication and passion that drove their success on the diamond.

Q&A WITH ASHLEY VAN STADEN

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
 
At this year’s Australian Women’s Championship, I played third base and pitched
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
My proudest moment as a team is coming third place. The hard work we put in before the tournament at trainings really showed in the outcomes we had. We held ourselves very well against the top teams in Australia, going down 6-5 against Victoria. I feel we bonded as a team, even through some tough situations, and always ensured we had everyone’s backs. We had players from all over Queensland so ensuring we had a proper team connection in the one day we had as a full team training session was essential and I feel we executed quite well.  
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
 A national tournament is harder than a state title as it considerably longer. A Qld state title is usually 2-3 days, whereas a national tournament you can be down there for up to 9 days and play for 7 days straight. Although as an individual you may not be playing every game or full games, the preparation you need to do to ensure your body and mind is ready for the tournament is next level. Qld state titles is also a less competitive, slower styled tournament where you know the players you are going against. Nationals opens your eyes to each state’s top players – including emeralds players – and it shows a whole new level that us as Qld don’t have in our Div 1 competition.  
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
As a team collectively, I feel we can work on jumping the gun early and winning the game from the start instead of firing back at the end. We always had a motto of defensively trying to keep a 0 on the board and getting at least 2 or more offensively each inning. A lot of the games we found ourselves having the innings swapped and instead had to have a big inning to bump ourselves back up. Personally, there is always something I feel I can improve and work on. However, I feel I could work on more patience in the box and finding a pitch I want to hit as well as slowing the game down in a whole. The “pressure” can sometime creep up on you unknowingly and ensuring you have control is very important. 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Most fun moment was definitely the vibes on the way to the fields and during the warmups. The music was always going and got everyone pumped before each game. This just made the game a lot easier to play, settling some nerves and it helped us bond as a team more. This energy just carried throughout the whole game, especially on the days where we had rain delays.  

Q&A WITH LYNDSEY CAMPBELL

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
Pitcher, DH & First Base
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
The overall comradery of the team was phenomenal, it is what drove us to fight back in the Bronze Medal game. I was so proud of the entire team during that game.
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
The step up in skill level from State Titles to Nationals is substantial. The expectations are higher, the tactical side comes into play more and the pressure is higher. It takes a lot for every individual to get themselves ready mentally and physically to play at that level. 
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
I think the mental side of the game is huge. Improving our confidence in ourselves and our mates, trusting your own ability,  understanding the game and the role you play in the team is always something that can be improved.
 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Just being out there and playing baseball with my pals is the most fun.

Q&A WITH BRITANY WYLLIE

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
 Pitcher
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
Getting through to the Bronze Medal game and winning Queensland’s first medal since 2016. 
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
It’s a completely different environment, the expectations are different, and preparation and recovery is more intense.
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
Build on my skills and strengths so that I can take the field more next year.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Being able to compete against and see friends that I’ve made from other states and seeing players from other tournaments I’ve played – Barclay Cup – developing and coming up to their states’ Women’s teams.

Coaching Staff EOI Open for Barclay Cup

Coaching Staff EOI Open for Barclay Cup

The Baseball Queensland Programs aim to provide both coaches and athletes an opportunity to develop their skills and to participate in competition at the National Level.
 
BQ is looking for the most qualified individuals that are willing and available to lead QLD Representative teams into the 2024 Barclay Cup from 29th of September – 5th of October in New South Wales ⚾
 
This year the Barclay Cup will be held in Penrith, Sydney, from September 29th to October 5th. Hosted by Mackillop Baseball Club at their newly inaugurated Chapman Gardens Baseball Oval in Kingswood, the event pays tribute to Barclay’s significant contributions to women’s baseball and sports in Australia. As a former Australian representative baseball player and advocate for equal rights in women’s sports, Barclay’s impact resonates throughout the tournament, which invites female players aged 13 to 16 from Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales to compete in an invitational format.
 
Please complete the following questionnaire with as much detail as possible to apply for a position on the 2024 QLD Program Barclay Cup Coaching staff ????
 
 
 
If you have any questions please email Nick Bachono, BQ Player Development Coordinator, nick@baseballqld.asn.au. Applications close 10th May 2024.
 
For more info on Barclay Cup 2024, please visit: https://www.baseballnsw.com.au/competit…/barclay-cup-2024/
QLD Masters State Titles

QLD Masters State Titles

The Baseball Queensland Masters State Titles over the weekend finished with a bang, showcasing the essence of community and sportsmanship in baseball. Held at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club and Robina Braves Baseball Club, the event hosted 23 teams from across the state, all eager to display their skills and passion for the game.

As players hit the field, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, marked by the sound of bat meeting ball and the cheers of supporters. Beyond the competition, the tournament offered a chance for players to form new friendships and strengthen existing ones. Additionally, it provided an opportunity for umpires, scorers, volunteers, and coaches – often behind the scenes – to shine on the field.

 

Results are as follows:

 

Masters Division 1

GOLD:  Moreton Bay Brewers
SILVER: Windsor Engineers
BRONZE: Bluewave

 

Masters Division 2 – Pool A

GOLD: Roughtails
SILVER: Riptides Orange
BRONZE: Surfers Paradise Clippers

 

Masters Division 2 – Pool B

GOLD: All Stars
SILVER: Wests Bulldogs Red
BRONZE: Robina Braves

 

Masters Women’s Division

GOLD: SPBC Bluewave Dragons
SILVER: Muskies Masters Gals
BRONZE: Pirates