World #1 ranked Japan will be the toughest opponent for Australia in the upcoming 2016 U-15 Baseball World Cup.
Australia, the 13th ranked U-15 nation in the world has a tough road to qualification for the next stage, after being grouped with three of the top five countries in the world in Japan (1), Korea (4) and Cuba (5).
This will be the second time Australia has been involved in the U-15 Baseball World Cup, after debuting in the 2014 edition with four wins and a ninth place finish. There is no doubt the team will be looking to improve after a strong performance at the 2014 edition of the U-15 World Cup.
There will be a national selection camp taking place on the Gold Coast in July where the team will be finalised for the upcoming U-15 World Cup. The final team will be selected from a 40-player squad of invited attendees that have already received notification of their invitation.
| GROUP A | GROUP B |
| Japan | USA |
| Korea | Chinese Taipei |
| Cuba | Venezuela |
| Australia | Mexico |
| Czech Republic | Panama |
| Colombia | New Zealand |
For more information, stay up to date with the WBSC, Facebook and Twitter.
Baseball Australia has today announced the Emeralds training squad that will prepare for selection for the 2016 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup to be held in Gijang City, South Korea, September 3 to 11, 2016.
The 2016 training squad has been named following the January Nationals and off the back of the Roadshow Events held in March and April across the country, that gave selectors the chance to see a range of players they may not have seen at Nationals.
“We were able to see close to 80 women and girls who turned up to show their stuff,” said Emeralds Manager Simone Wearne. “It was great to see so many people in attendance, especially the young players who are the future of our program."
"We want to give as many players as possible the chance to work hard over winter and put themselves into contention to be at the World Cup this year. By selecting 40 players, we are throwing down the challenge to a heap of younger, and older players, and inviting them to work harder than ever before to be part of the Emeralds Team in 2016".
All players will attend a team selection camp at the end of July when a final team of 20 players will be selected to travel to Korea for the World Cup beginning on September 3.
Congratulations to the following players who have been named in this year’s squad.
Emeralds Training Squad – 2016
Leslie Anglin VIC
Olivia Bannon NSW
Jacinda Barclay NSW
Georgia Blair QLD
Kaila Borgomastro WA
Georgia Bower NSW
Tabitha Callander WA
Belinda Cannington VIC
Amy Collins NT
Karina Connors QLD
Lauren Donnellan NSW
Morgan Doty WA
Erin Fox WA
Bronwyn Gell VIC
Leigh Godfrey WA
Breanna Goodwin WA
Caitlin Gordon WA
Linda Gough QLD
Meaghan Haggart WA
Brittany Hepburn NSW
Rachael Higgins QLD
Georgia Jones QLD
Brittany Keen WA
Abbey Kelly VIC
Moe Kurrihara QLD
Melinda Latimer NSW
Shae Lillywhite VIC
Tahnee Lovering NSW
Abbey McLellan VIC
Kim McMillan NSW
Tammy McMillan QLD
Chelsea Forkin QLD
Laura Neads NSW
Claire O’Sullivan NSW
Jordan Richardson NSW
Elarna Spinks NSW
Amanda Torrington QLD
Taylah Welch QLD
Grace Zylstra QLD
Be sure to keep up to date with the Emeralds leading up to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup by following us on Facebook or checking out our website.
Baseball Australia has today announced the Emeralds training squad that will prepare for selection for the 2016 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup to be held in Gijang City, South Korea, September 3 to 11, 2016.
The 2016 training squad has been named following the January Nationals and off the back of the Roadshow Events held in March and April across the country, that gave selectors the chance to see a range of players they may not have seen at Nationals.
“We were able to see close to 80 women and girls who turned up to show their stuff,” said Emeralds Manager Simone Wearne. “It was great to see so many people in attendance, especially the young players who are the future of our program."
"We want to give as many players as possible the chance to work hard over winter and put themselves into contention to be at the World Cup this year. By selecting 40 players, we are throwing down the challenge to a heap of younger, and older players, and inviting them to work harder than ever before to be part of the Emeralds Team in 2016".
All players will attend a team selection camp at the end of July when a final team of 20 players will be selected to travel to Korea for the World Cup beginning on September 3.
Congratulations to the following players who have been named in this year’s squad.
Emeralds Training Squad – 2016
Leslie Anglin VIC
Olivia Bannon NSW
Jacinda Barclay NSW
Georgia Blair QLD
Kaila Borgomastro WA
Georgia Bower NSW
Tabitha Callander WA
Belinda Cannington VIC
Amy Collins NT
Karina Connors QLD
Lauren Donnellan NSW
Morgan Doty WA
Erin Fox WA
Bronwyn Gell VIC
Leigh Godfrey WA
Breanna Goodwin WA
Caitlin Gordon WA
Linda Gough QLD
Meaghan Haggart WA
Brittany Hepburn NSW
Rachael Higgins QLD
Georgia Jones QLD
Brittany Keen WA
Abbey Kelly VIC
Moe Kurrihara QLD
Melinda Latimer NSW
Shae Lillywhite VIC
Tahnee Lovering NSW
Abbey McLellan VIC
Kim McMillan NSW
Tammy McMillan QLD
Chelsea Forkin QLD
Laura Neads NSW
Claire O’Sullivan NSW
Jordan Richardson NSW
Elarna Spinks NSW
Amanda Torrington QLD
Taylah Welch QLD
Grace Zylstra QLD
Be sure to keep up to date with the Emeralds leading up to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup by following us on Facebook or checking out our website.
Baseball Australia has accepted an invitation to send five young baseballers to attend this years World Children’s Baseball Fair, being held in Takaoka, Toyama Japan, August 17-25.
The WCBF is held every year and was first initiated by Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron August 1992. The nine-day event was established in the interest of fostering an environment of world understanding and cultural exchange through the celebration of baseball. It promotes teamwork, good health, discipline and international friendship. In addition, it provides a framework for the expansion of Baseball around the world.
It was first held in Los Angeles, and is held annually in the USA, Canada or Japan. Over 200 boys and girls attend, from twenty countries; with each country sending five representatives between the ages of ten and eleven.
During the WCBF event, the children will have the opportunity to learn the correct, basic skills of baseball, with the emphasis on fun and participation. This is a time for children to enjoy and share their love of baseball.
The participants will attend morning baseball clinics instructed by specially appointed coaches while each afternoon and evening they will partake in cultural and recreational activities to further enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.
The Australian representatives for 2016 come from Baseball Queensland, Baseball New South Wales, Baseball Victoria, Baseball South Australia and Baseball Western Australia
Sam Wilson – QLD
Cooper Sherwood – WA
Abi Jorgensen – SA
Atticus Hurfod – VIC
Millie Atkinson – NSW
Stuart Bridges – NSW Chaperone
Baseball Australia has accepted an invitation to send five young baseballers to attend this years World Children’s Baseball Fair, being held in Takaoka, Toyama Japan, August 17-25.
The WCBF is held every year and was first initiated by Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron August 1992. The nine-day event was established in the interest of fostering an environment of world understanding and cultural exchange through the celebration of baseball. It promotes teamwork, good health, discipline and international friendship. In addition, it provides a framework for the expansion of Baseball around the world.
It was first held in Los Angeles, and is held annually in the USA, Canada or Japan. Over 200 boys and girls attend, from twenty countries; with each country sending five representatives between the ages of ten and eleven.
During the WCBF event, the children will have the opportunity to learn the correct, basic skills of baseball, with the emphasis on fun and participation. This is a time for children to enjoy and share their love of baseball.
The participants will attend morning baseball clinics instructed by specially appointed coaches while each afternoon and evening they will partake in cultural and recreational activities to further enhance cultural understanding and appreciation.
The Australian representatives for 2016 come from Baseball Queensland, Baseball New South Wales, Baseball Victoria, Baseball South Australia and Baseball Western Australia
Sam Wilson – QLD
Cooper Sherwood – WA
Abi Jorgensen – SA
Atticus Hurfod – VIC
Millie Atkinson – NSW
Stuart Bridges – NSW Chaperone
*** 2016 IBA-BOYS U12 Japan Touring Team - TRYOUTS ***
Dates: 17th and 24th April 2016 (it is expected that your child will attend both try outs).
Time: 9.00am for 9.30am sharp start (will conclude by approx. 11.00am)
Location: Knox Baseball/Softball Ground (Address: Off Gilbert Park Drive, Knoxfield 3180)
Eligibility: Children born year 2004
NOTE: Wear full baseball attire (playing pants, undershirt/t-shirt, cleats and bring all your own equipment i.e. glove, bat, batting gloves, helmet etc and if applicable catchers gear).
RSVP for more information: info@k2baseball.com
Baseball Australia is pleased to confirm that it will again send an A-Roo Development team to the Cal Ripken World Series in August, 2016.
The Cal Ripken World Series is an Under 13 tournament hosted by former Baltimore Orioles All-Star and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken. The tournament is held in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA, at a world-class purpose built junior baseball facility.
Many of our current young crop of professional players were benefactors of attending this event as young men.
Selection for this year’s squad will be of players aged 12 or younger (Players must not have reached age 13 prior to May 1st 2016), and will be determined through consultation between the appointed team coaching staff, Baseball Australia Head of High Performance and State High Performance Managers.
Baseball Australia is also calling for expressions of interest to those who would like to be considered for Coaching or an Executive Officer role.
Please see position descriptions below and send expressions of interest including experience and resume (no more than 5 pages) to sharon.butty@baseball.org.au with “2016 Cal Ripken World Series EOI” in the subject line, by 19 April, 2016.
Baseball Australia is pleased to confirm that it will again send an A-Roo Development team to the Cal Ripken World Series in August, 2016.
The Cal Ripken World Series is an Under 13 tournament hosted by former Baltimore Orioles All-Star and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken. The tournament is held in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA, at a world-class purpose built junior baseball facility.
Many of our current young crop of professional players were benefactors of attending this event as young men.
Selection for this year’s squad will be of players aged 12 or younger (Players must not have reached age 13 prior to May 1st 2016), and will be determined through consultation between the appointed team coaching staff, Baseball Australia Head of High Performance and State High Performance Managers.
Baseball Australia is also calling for expressions of interest to those who would like to be considered for Coaching or an Executive Officer role.
Please see position descriptions below and send expressions of interest including experience and resume (no more than 5 pages) to sharon.butty@baseball.org.au with “2016 Cal Ripken World Series EOI” in the subject line, by 19 April, 2016.
In a national first, Australia’s leading baseball players and officials are heading to Jakarta to establish a multifaceted sports diplomacy project featuring baseball, anti-domestic violence and mentoring programs for Indonesian women and girls.
The new sports diplomacy program is called Diamonds in the Rough and is funded by the Australian Government through the Asian Sports Partnerships small grants fund.
Diamonds in the Rough aims to foster and promote both sport and social development in targeted Indonesian communities as part of the Australian Sports Diplomacy Strategy.
The project will be conducted by 15 leading Australian female baseball players and officials who will teach Indonesian women and girls how to play baseball while mentoring them on leadership and self reliance and exposing them to a culture of confidence and team work.
The Australian contingent will also play exhibition games against men’s and boys’ teams and host cultural events as part of the NOMORE campaign, which underpins the project.
The NOMORE campaign, founded by esteemed Northern Territory sports presenter Charlie King, has been instrumental in changing the culture of domestic violence in the Northern Territory through sport. Originally targeted at indigenous men, the NOMORE campaign has spread across sporting codes, States and countries.
Diamonds in the Rough is multi-partner collaboration and will be led by project manager Simone Wearne, one of Australia’s leading and most capped national baseball players, a World Series champion and coach of the national team, the Emeralds.
Wearne said she is very proud to be leading such a ground-breaking project. “Diamonds in the Rough will allow Australia’s leading female baseball to share their sporting and social skills with Indonesian women and girls and have fun doing. The project will promote health, well-being and leadership, respect for women and cultural tolerance. And we get the opportunity to do this while creating a women’s baseball base in Indonesia. It’s a win-win.”
Diamonds in the Rough’s highly-skilled consortium includes:
· Baseball Australia, the lead organisation providing financial and governance oversight;
· Aussie Hearts International Women’s Baseball, concept creators and project managers, undertaking participant management, logistics and promotion;
· The Hit Factory (THF), in-country partner identifying, promoting and recruiting girls and women to participate and to provide the facilities and coaching services
· CAUSINDY (Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth) alumni, connecting with Jakarta schools, politicians, community members, participants and Indonesian domestic violence organisations
· NOMORE, delivering anti-domestic violence engagement and promotion strategy
Below is the final list of those who will be travelling to Jakarta in May to deliver the sports diplomacy program Diamonds in the Rough:
Olivia Bannon (NSW)
Kaila Borgomastro (WA)
Tabitha Callander (WA)
Amy Collins (NT)
Bronwyn Gell (VIC)
Narelle Gosstray (NT)
Brittany Hepburn (NSW)
Shae Lillywhite (VIC)
Kim McMillan (NSW)
Tammy McMillan (QLD)
Sharon Moss (QLD)
Laura Neads (NSW)
Lisa Norrie (QLD)
Simone Wearne (VIC)
Kate West (QLD)
Grace Zylstra (QLD)
In a national first, Australia’s leading baseball players and officials are heading to Jakarta to establish a multifaceted sports diplomacy project featuring baseball, anti-domestic violence and mentoring programs for Indonesian women and girls.
The new sports diplomacy program is called Diamonds in the Rough and is funded by the Australian Government through the Asian Sports Partnerships small grants fund.
Diamonds in the Rough aims to foster and promote both sport and social development in targeted Indonesian communities as part of the Australian Sports Diplomacy Strategy.
The project will be conducted by 15 leading Australian female baseball players and officials who will teach Indonesian women and girls how to play baseball while mentoring them on leadership and self reliance and exposing them to a culture of confidence and team work.
The Australian contingent will also play exhibition games against men’s and boys’ teams and host cultural events as part of the NOMORE campaign, which underpins the project.
The NOMORE campaign, founded by esteemed Northern Territory sports presenter Charlie King, has been instrumental in changing the culture of domestic violence in the Northern Territory through sport. Originally targeted at indigenous men, the NOMORE campaign has spread across sporting codes, States and countries.
Diamonds in the Rough is multi-partner collaboration and will be led by project manager Simone Wearne, one of Australia’s leading and most capped national baseball players, a World Series champion and coach of the national team, the Emeralds.
Wearne said she is very proud to be leading such a ground-breaking project. “Diamonds in the Rough will allow Australia’s leading female baseball to share their sporting and social skills with Indonesian women and girls and have fun doing. The project will promote health, well-being and leadership, respect for women and cultural tolerance. And we get the opportunity to do this while creating a women’s baseball base in Indonesia. It’s a win-win.”
Diamonds in the Rough’s highly-skilled consortium includes:
· Baseball Australia, the lead organisation providing financial and governance oversight;
· Aussie Hearts International Women’s Baseball, concept creators and project managers, undertaking participant management, logistics and promotion;
· The Hit Factory (THF), in-country partner identifying, promoting and recruiting girls and women to participate and to provide the facilities and coaching services
· CAUSINDY (Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth) alumni, connecting with Jakarta schools, politicians, community members, participants and Indonesian domestic violence organisations
· NOMORE, delivering anti-domestic violence engagement and promotion strategy
Below is the final list of those who will be travelling to Jakarta in May to deliver the sports diplomacy program Diamonds in the Rough:
Olivia Bannon (NSW)
Kaila Borgomastro (WA)
Tabitha Callander (WA)
Amy Collins (NT)
Bronwyn Gell (VIC)
Narelle Gosstray (NT)
Brittany Hepburn (NSW)
Shae Lillywhite (VIC)
Kim McMillan (NSW)
Tammy McMillan (QLD)
Sharon Moss (QLD)
Laura Neads (NSW)
Lisa Norrie (QLD)
Simone Wearne (VIC)
Kate West (QLD)
Grace Zylstra (QLD)
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce both a Junior Girls and Women's Baseball Academy that will operate during the 2016 winter season.
The programs will run for 8-10 weeks and by Victoria’s leading coaches and senior players.
The Junior Girls academy welcomes any Victorian under 16 girl who is looking to develop their baseball specific skills.
While the Women's senior academy is available for any player aged above 16 who is looking to excel their skills through a high intensity baseball academy.
Both academies are designed to support participants through a clear developmental player pathway, and will address all areas of the game.
The academy will be run at three different locations; La Trobe (North), Springvale (South/East), and Altona (West).
Participants will be expected to attend one training per week for a total of 8 sessions.
Expressions of interest are currently being sought to give Baseball Victoria a better idea of numbers that will help determine the cost of the academy.
By filling out the link below, you will be put on the list to receive more information at a later date.
If you are wanting to express interest for the junior girls academy please click here.
If your are wishing to express interest for the senior high performance academy please click here.
For any additional questions please contact Bronwyn Gell on 8360 9371.
The Werribee Giants, a Division 2 club in the Victorian Summer Baseball League, is seeking a head senior and assistant baseball coach to commence in August 2016.
They currently field four senior men's squads.
For additional information about these vacancies please see the attached PDF.
Jells Park, Wheelers Hill welcomed over 200 baseball players over the weekend for the 2016 Little League Championships where the 500 strong crowds were witness to an outstanding showing of baseball skill, sportsmanship and fair play.
Friday morning started the tournament with six fields in play, opening the Little League All Stars, Little League Development Shield and Girls Charter Competitions with a bang.
The development shield hosted two teams from the Athletics charter (Green and Gold teams) and the Mariners (Blue and White), up against a single team representing Diamondbacks. This competition offered players a firsthand look at the tournament structure and offers a clear pathway to future Little League programs. It also allowed budding umpires a chance to showcase and extend their skillset in a tournament.
In a fantastic new program, four charters were represented in a Girls Competition. The Mariners, Athletics, Diamondbacks tested their skills against an Invitational team made up of players from other charters. After two games each, all four Girls Charter teams were deadlocked at 1 win and 1 loss each - showing just how even the teams were.
The fantastic facility at Waverley Softball Association allowed for a night game to take place, but prior to that, Baseball Victoria welcomed all 17 teams, major sponsor Fielders Choice and Councillor Robert Davies of the City of Monash who threw out a first pitch to officially open the tournament and mark the beginning of the Home Run Derby.
After 10 swings each, the competition was taken out by Lili Cavanagh of the Southern Mariners with a massive 27 points. (3 homeruns, 3 triples, 3 singles) Lili collected a new bat courtesy of Fielders Choice and narrowly missed winning a new glove after hitting the "fielders choice prize ball" into the base of the home run fence.
While the Southern Mariners, Northern Diamondbacks and Sunraysia Giants played two games earlier in the day, the Friday night game pitted the Eastern Athletics against the Geelong Baycats, with the Eastern Athletics taking the points and made for an interesting Saturday morning game against the also undefeated Mariners team.
Saturday morning marked the start of the Minor League competition where the Southern Mariners (Blue and White) were to play against the Diamondbacks in a three team participation round robin. The Minor League competition is an extension of the many minor league competitions that run throughout the Summer and was a chance for the players to try a little league style competition.
Saturday Night was the Girls Semi final between the Southern Mariners and Northern Diamondbacks, with a spot in the final at stake, both teams played terrific baseball. Highlight after highlight prevailed and it was the Mariners who outlasted the Diamondbacks for a close win in what was a great representation of baseball.
The Little League Allstars competition finished the round robin and the Athletics secured a spot at Nationals and in the final by being undefeated with the Diamondback and Mariners to play Sunday morning for a spot in the final, and the Baycats to play Sunraysia for a spot in the 3rd place playoff. The Mariners scored 4 runs in the bottom of the last inning to scrape by the Diamondbacks who were to play the Baycats after they avoided the improving Sunraysia team.
After a fantastic day 1, the Minor teams were back for day 2 and didnt miss a beat. As the confidence grew, the level of play skyrocketed and teams could have mistaken for the Allstars at some stages, with the Mariner White team heading the standings after two complete rounds.
Sunday was finals day for all other competitions, and after three long days of baseball (for coaches and players), the Mariners White faced off with Mariners Blue in the Development Shield and it was the Blue who took out the intracharter rivalry game.
On the back of quality pitching, the Eastern Athletics Girls moved into the final over the Northern Diamondbacks during the morning game. In the 3rd place playoff, the Invitational Stars flexed their offensive muscles and poured on some runs to take out the bronze. In similar circumstances, the Mariners had the pitching and the bats to secure the first title and collect the trophy.
And so it was down to the final two games of the tournament to see who would represent Victoria at the National Championships. After a hot start by the Baycats, the Diamondbacks wrestled back the lead and ran out eventual winners to punch their ticket.
With all other games completed, the crowd built for the Allstars final and what a final it was. Quality arms on both teams, fantastic defense, a Grand slam and two teams who played together and represented themselves, our sport, their charters and their parents in a very positive way.
In a game that went all the way to the wire, the Mariners made it a clean sweep for the week and handed the Athletics their first loss for the tournament.
Congratulations to all charters on the baseball they played over the three days. Coaches, scorers and EOs, a heartfelt well done on the product that was delivered.
A special thank you to the parents and supporters of all teams who created a fantastic atmosphere for the players.