Saturday 20th October marked the first game of the inaugural Women’s League for 2018. Four teams from across Queensland have entered into an 8-week competition to play some friendly, yet spirited baseball.
Western District Bulldogs Baseball Club, Southern Stars Baseball Club, and Redcliffe Padres Baseball Club have each put teams forward; with a huge turn out from Padres, resulting in two teams from that club.
Each Saturday, the teams play 1.5hr double headers at the one location starting mid afternoon.
The first game of the double header on Saturday 20th October saw Padres Red go head to head with Wests in a tight game resulting in the two teams drawing 10-10 after 3 innings. With outstanding teamwork and spirit from both teams, this was an entertaining game for the books.
Special mention to the West family who have made the 2018 women’s season a full family affair. Sally West, along with her two daughters, Kate and Amy are all sporting red uniforms for their beloved team, Padres.
Kate West comments on the season being one for the ages, “I would say that I’m incredibly excited about playing with Mum. She is so well known in the baseball community and a perfect example of the target market for this initiative. Baseball mums, sisters, partners, volunteers, fans who know baseball like the back of their hand but have never had a real opportunity to get involved in a social, non-competitive environment. From my perspective, the growth of women’s baseball starts with recruitment for the love of the game. My family are used to playing in a team together (all bar Mum have played in Divisions 4-6 collectively several times over the last four years) and have had varying degrees of success in maintaining familial ties [laughs] but I am very keen to see Mum out of the scorers box and onto the field!”
The final game of the double-header saw the second Padres team (White) take on Southern Stars in a fantastic action packed game. Southern Stars took the win 15-2 after 4 innings of fierce play!
The spirit of the game is captured perfectly in this league of friendly and highly entertaining baseball; with music blaring, all teams playing hard and plenty of laughs, do yourself a favour and get out to your nearest club to watch these games and support women in baseball!
Head to the GBL Fixtures page on the website to view when each team is playing!
*Photos by Rodney Reed, Southern Stars and Wests*
