IPSWICH MUSKETEERS OPEN NEW BATTING CAGE FACILITY.

Baseball Queensland is proud to share the news that Ipswich Musketeers Baseball Club has opened a new batting cage facility.

CEO of Baseball Queensland, Mr. Paul Gonzalez, was joined by Hon. Jim Madden MP (representing the Minister for Sport, Mick de Brenni), Ipswich Musketeers President Mr. Jon Campbell and Mr. Andre Teuwsen for the opening of the new facility.

The batting cage features a fully covered indoor facility with two batting bays. Baseball Queensland would like to acknowledge the investment from the Queensland Government of $141,984 that helped secure the facility that now offers the Musketeers a premier training facility.

The facility also has the option of being utilised by the Ipswich Softball Association and potentially local cricket clubs making it a viable contribution to the wider sporting community.

“Baseball Queensland acknowledges the continued support from the Minister of Sport Mick de Brenni. The funds allocated genuinely assist Ipswich Musketeers and aligns with Baseball Queensland’s overall vision of building a better future for baseball” shared Baseball Queensland CEO, Mr. Paul Gonzalez.

The Queensland Government has invested more than $2.6 million to support baseball since 2015. This comes from the government’s holistic approach to encourage Queenslanders to be active regardless of location, age, gender, ability or background.

Congratulations to Ipswich Musketeers on the opening of their new facility.

Northern Territory to compete in Little League Division Two

Baseball Queensland (BQ) is pleased to announce that Baseball Northern Territory (BNT) will be sending a Little League side to compete in our Little League Division 2 State Titles at Redcliffe 2020.

The representative players will be from Alice Springs and Darwin, and are scheduled to travel to Brisbane as part of their pathway program strategy, initiated by Baseball NT.  This opportunity creates a new element of support to the continued participation and growth for Baseball NT, while engaging new participants to the Baseball Queensland State Titles event.

It will bring a new element to our State Titles having a little league team from Northern Territory and this addition aligns with BQ’s strategy to grow our game.

“The partnership with Baseball NT, enables Baseball Queensland to deliver positive outcomes not just within Queensland but support our national affiliates through a collective approach.  BQ was able to deliver similar positive outcomes with NSW Country women’s teams at the 2019 Queensland Women’s State Titles” said Baseball Queensland CEO Paul Gonzalez.  

These are the strategic initiatives that enable the sport to grow not only in participation, but also in growing our relationships with baseballer’s nationally and globally.

Since the addition of the Division 2 at our State Titles we have a seen growth in participation in tournament play for Little League and Junior League. It is a positive that our BQ tournaments continue to attract interstate attention. Baseball Queensland project to have nine (9) categories this year with up to twenty (20) teams over the event.  At this event, BQ will have hosted the greatest number of teams both male and female in BQ’s history.

Baseball NT’s General Manager Gemma Scales shared her thoughts on the initiative.

“Baseball NT is thrilled to continue building a partnership with Baseball Queensland to offer our members a non-traditional pathway program. Recently, Baseball NT has had players represent Queensland in Women’s and Girl’s national events, and in other Queensland State Title events. The opportunity to send a whole team is a great step forward for the Territory. We wish our players and officials all the best for April.”

This year our 2020 State Titles are expanding with a division 3 tournament for Little League and tournaments for Rookie Ball and Tee Ball. This will see the 2020 State Titles as the largest baseball event ever run by BQ  with an estimate of 400 players participating in the event.

For more information on the event click here.

EOI: Baseball Queensland Participation Committee

The Participation Committee has been established by the Board of Management of Baseball Queensland to identify avenues to increase the participation in Baseball and/or Baseball-related activities by athletes of all ages within the state of Queensland.

We are seeking two (2) additional members to join the Participation Committee. Members should have networks within the wider baseball community that are important for the development of the sport; experience in sports scheduling; experience in baseball coaching, umpiring, scoring or in Club administration; an understanding of how Clubs operate within the state of Queensland; and an understanding of the issues relating to the connections between Clubs and their Regions.

Selection of members will be guided by these criteria and with consideration for existing expertise within the Committee to ensure diverse and complementary skills, experience and backgrounds necessary for the Participation Committee to collectively undertake its responsibilities.

Expressions of interest addressing the criteria are to be submitted in writing no later than close of business on 3 April 2020. Please email the expression of interest to Andrea Marshall, Secretary, BQ Participation Committee (femaleparticipation@baseballqld.asn.au)

QAS maintains funding for BQ High Performance outcomes

Baseball Queensland (BQ) is committed to continuing to improve the services we provide to our baseball players in Queensland. We are particularly focused on opportunities that are relevant and add value, therefore I am pleased to advise that the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) has maintained our funding for BQ’s High Performance (HP) programs, staff and athletes.

We are pleased to continue to build on the success seen in 2019 with the increase of participants in our HP programs, as well as the direct successful outcomes of our emerging and developing athletes at the Australian Championships.

Baseball Queensland continue to represent our National Team in 2019-20 with nine (9) Queenslander representatives and three (3) coaches competing in the first round of the Premier Twelve event, the qualification event for the Tokyo 2020.

BQ continue to service the athletes within our High-Performance pathway programs with the focus of providing Queensland athletes the resources to excel at the National level.   Shayne Watson, the Athlete Development/High Performance Manager and his coaching group, continue to work towards the vision of “Building a better future for baseball.”

Baseball Queensland CEO, Paul Gonzalez states:

“Through the continued support of the Queensland Academy of Sport, Baseball Queensland continues to lead towards holistic outcomes for our athletes both on and off the playing field.

Baseball Queensland is committed to the future of the game and with the continued support of the QAS, this leverage enables the sport to progress towards long-term positive outcomes.”

We acknowledge the support that the Queensland Academy of Sport continues to show Baseball Queensland and are excited to see our programs evolve.

Thank you

Kind regards,
Paul Gonzalez
Chief Executive Officer