Originally published on Baseball.com.au
feature story from the Australian Women’s Championships, by Connie Rowe (QLD). Photos by Izzy Lilburn.
A brick wall and the brains of the operation on the field, Queensland Maroon catcher Lila Hall is a name to remember.
Watching her play, it’s hard to believe she’s just 16.
In her debut game in the open women’s competition, Hall reached base in all four of her turns at the plate.
She collected two hits, drove in two runs and won the CARVE Performer of the Game during Queensland Maroon’s opening game win over South Australia.
Lila looks like she’s been there for years.
And she’s not the only one.
Lila is joined by the calibre of Charlotte Stokes and Holly Moellers, two other teenage debutants, making their mark in the senior competition.
Fresh off the back of double medal appearances with the Queensland Youth program, they are taking their momentum into the Open’s program.
Stokes notched a pair of hits, including a booming RBI double, in her first appearance at the senior level. Moellers will likely appear today, fresh off winning Defensive Player of the Tournament at the 2024 AYWC.
It’s a sign of the strength and depth of the succession program in the north, but also to the commitment and composure the trio show to their craft.
In her first game as catcher for the Queensland Maroon, Lila teamed up with veteran Shiori Hoshino to set the pace for the team’s tournament.
Many batteries have been training together for months if not years.
For Lila and Shiori, they’ve had a day – not that you could tell.
Lila lives in Brisbane. Shiori lived in Far North Queensland before moving to Victoria.
“It was so good catching to Shiori,” says Lila about her first outing. “She just pounds the zone, nothing in the dirt.”
Behind her humble modesty, lies solid glovework, game prowess and blocking beyond her years.
Single handedly responsible for stopping countless extra bases and runs crossing the plate, Lila’s name can be written next to keeping the speed of South Australia in check.
For Shiori Hoshino, to have someone behind the plate that she can trust to not only call the game but also help her work her pitches makes such a difference.
“I’ve never thrown to her before but she did so well,” says Shiori. “Her ability to block and frame balls meant I had the confidence to throw the pitches I needed to in the moment. She was calm, composed and made it easy for me.”
Not a stranger to being behind the dish, Lila has been at the craft for five years. After seeing her older brother suit up and in action, Lila was drawn to try it herself.
And she’s glad she did.
“Catching, I feel so much more comfortable and in control behind the dish,” says Lila.
She certainly looked right at home.
But it wasn’t just calling the game that she fit right in, it was with the bat as well.
Coming off of a .400 batting average and a silver medal at the Australian Youth Women’s Championships in 2024, Lila backed it up going 2 for 3 with an RBI to add to Queenlsand’s 10-6 win over South Australia.
With the vibe in the Queensland camp positive and energetic, Lila is the first to get behind her teammates, crediting the way the squad rallies and is there for each other.
This holistic view of the game is the sign of a true catcher in motion and a sign of exciting things to come.
You can watch Lila play next at 2:30PM vs New South Wales. For tournament information, visit www.baseball.com.au/women.