Today marks International Women’s Day 2023, with this year’s theme #EmbraceEquity highlighting the importance of gender equity and true inclusion, acknowledging how people start from different places.
As Baseball Victoria joins fellow sporting organisations in celebrating #IWD2023, we want to reflect on the past 12 months of women’s baseball in Victoria, and the efforts our baseball community is making to further support women and girls in all areas of our great game.
Let’s take a closer look at the state of play for women’s baseball in Victoria.
Women’s Participation
Women’s participation numbers are on the rise, with 1,250 total female players across winter and summer in 2021/22, up from 1,024 in 2020/21.
This past winter, we had 636 female players (15% of total participants) and in the 2022/23 summer season, we had 788 female players (16% of total participants). Several clubs entered VSBL Women’s teams for the first time, including Alfredton and Mitchell Majors.
While growing women’s participation remains a top priority, we also acknowledge the amazing contributions of women volunteers who tirelessly support grassroots baseball and encourage others to join in the fun.
We had over 300 female volunteers registered across summer and winter this last year, with women filling valuable leadership roles on club committees and stepping up to the plate as coaches, scorers, groundskeepers and canteen volunteers, too.
Our 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award went to Tanneale Marshall, who was recognised for her outstanding dedication to junior baseball development at Blackburn Baseball Club.
Women’s High Performance
2022 was a big year for women’s baseball and 2023 is shaping up to be much the same, with Victorian players making the most of opportunities to represent on the national stage.
At the 2022 Australian Women’s Baseball Championship last April, Victoria went undefeated in the opening round before securing a silver medal finish. Victorian infielder Bronwyn Gell was named MVP, while outfielder Morgan Doty earned the batting title and Allie Bebbere received the pitching champion award at the first women’s nationals in three years.
At the same time, 14 Victorians were invited to attend the 2022 Australian Youth Women’s Baseball Invitational, where they participated in testing, training, workshops and games as part of a camp and competition format for rising female prospects from around the country. The invitational was modelled off Emeralds training camp, starting each day with specific skill workshops before modified gameplay in the afternoon to put what they learned into practice.
A few weeks later, Geelong Baseball Centre hosted the 2022 Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase from 5-8 May. The Victoria Aces had an 18-player roster loaded with a host of the sport’s biggest homegrown and international talent, lining up against the Adelaide Giants and Brisbane Bandits. After four action-packed days, the Aces were crowned showcase champions.
Later in the year, Victoria sent two teams to the inaugural Barclay Cup on the Gold Coast from 25 September - 1 October. This new national event for youth girls aged 13-16 was created by a combined group of state participation managers in honour of Jacinda Barclay, who sadly passed away in 2020.
The Vic Dingoes and Hornets had an amazing week learning and playing with their peers from around the country. Many of these players stepped up after taking part in the Blue and Grey BV Allstars all-girls teams at the U14 State Winter Championships in Bendigo.
In December, we had a strong turnout for Victorian Women’s State Team trials. 15 clubs were represented in one of our largest women’s tryout groups ever. It was great to see such strong interest from talented juniors, including many Barclay Cup representatives. We had an impressive turnout for the youth women’s tryouts in February, too.
With exciting growth in the youth women’s space and continued success at the women’s state level, the future looks bright for women’s baseball in Victoria. We look forward to many more opportunities for females of all ages in the future and are pleased to have the Australian Women’s Championship returning to Victoria next month.
Women & Girls Coaching Workshop
October’s Women & Girls Coaching Workshop was a big hit, bringing women’s coaches and players together for a valuable day of leadership development and on-field sessions. 35 representatives from 18 clubs came together at Melbourne Ballpark, learning how to better support women and girls through dedicated baseball coaching and training.
Made possible by the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program, the free workshop featured two special presentations from the Australian Institute of Sport, including an interactive session on building your personal coaching network with Michelle De Highden, High Performance Coach Development Senior Lead.
Olympian Katarina Paul and Paralympic Maria Strong were also on hand to discuss the importance of safe, inclusive environments for all athletes. BV High Performance Staff Damian Shanahan and Keli’i “Zee” Zablan led a baseball classroom session before hitting the field with 2022 Victorian Women’s State Team and Victoria Aces Head Coach Samantha Hamilton.
The practical session gave coaches fresh ideas to add to their toolbox for prehab, warm-up, throwing, hitting, fielding, pitching, catching, and base running. Morgan Doty and Abbey McLellan of the Victoria Aces and Australian Emeralds joined in the on-field fun, helping out with drills.
Baseball Victoria Board & Staff
Baseball Victoria continues to embrace diversity both on and off the field. Five out of nine Baseball Victoria Board Directors are female, while four out of nine office staff members are female.
To support the strategic direction, governance and leadership of women’s pathway initiatives, the BV Board established the Women’s Pathway Working Group (WPWG) last year.
This includes group members Amy McCann (Chair), Damian Shanahan, Samantha Hamilton, Abbey McLellan, Michael Wearne and Lea Squadrito, who advise and make recommendations to the CEO and Performance Pathway. The group’s focus is on governance, strategic alignment, and management of the Women’s Pathway Plan and strategic priorities.
Additionally, Baseball Victoria’s new strategic and operational plans prioritise the growth of participation and development opportunities for women and girls.
Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023
We invite our clubs, associations, and the wider baseball community to get involved in International Women’s Day and share stories of the women and girls who make our sport. Feel free to tag us!
Head to the official website of International Women’s Day or check out Change Our Game initiatives centred around this year’s theme of Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future.
Baseball Victoria is now accepting club nominations for Coach and Volunteer of the Year Awards following another successful summer season.
VSBL clubs are encouraged to nominate one standout coach and volunteer for these prestigious awards recognising their contributions to grassroots baseball.
Please view the links below to learn more and submit nominations by the closing date of Friday 24 March 2023.
It was a huge weekend of VSBL Semi-Finals across juniors, seniors, and masters!
Catch up on the latest results below and don't forget to follow VSBL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. Grand final fixtures can be viewed HERE.
Women's Semi-Finals
In Women's Division 1, Essendon outlasted Doncaster 3-1 and Springvale overpowered Footscray 17-2.
Springvale Women's Division 2 edged Melbourne 4-3 and Newport defeated Essendon 12-1.
In Women's Division 3 East, Waverley Black won 9-2 over Research Lower Plenty and Waverley Red scored the winning run late to defeat Upwey Ferntree Gully 13-12.
In Women's Division 3 South, Chelsea got the job done 10-3 against Moorabbin and South East Warriors won 17-7 over Springvale.
Werribee Women's Division 3 West held on for a 9-6 victory at Port Melbourne as Fitzroy came back to win 10-7 at Geelong.
Seniors Semi-Finals
Division 1 Reserves: Essendon beat Moorabbin 17-2 and Berwick rallied late for a 7-6 victory at Upwey Ferntree Gully.
Division 1 Thirds: Malvern edged Essendon 6-5 and Geelong scored seven late runs to beat Upwey Ferntree Gully 8-6.
Division 1 Fourths: Melbourne overpowered Essendon 10-7 as Upwey Ferntree Gully prevailed 9-6 against Blackburn.
Division 2 Reserves: Cheltenham held on for a 6-5 win over Fitzroy as Newport narrowly defeated Doncaster 3-2.
Division 2 Thirds: Newport got the job done 3-2 vs. Doncaster while a close one between St Kilda and Port Melbourne went the Saints' way 4-3.
Division 2 Fourths: Bonbeach racked up 30 runs while giving up two to Port Melbourne as Newport won 15-2 at Fitzroy.
Division 3 Firsts: Pakenham outlasted Mornington 12-5 and Essendon won 8-5 at Sandringham.
Division 3 Reserves: Pakenham cruised to a 13-3 win over Sandringham as Chelsea's late push put the Dolphins up 18-11 at Essendon.
Division 4 East: Waverley Black advanced with a 5-2 win vs. Melbourne Red while Melbourne Blue held on 7-6 at Research Lower Plenty.
Division 4 North: Greensborough took care of business 17-9 vs. North Coburg as Alfredton won 7-4 at Mitchell Majors.
Division 4 South: Pakenham White shut out Pakenham Black 10-0 and Springvale beat South East Warriors 18-0.
Masters Semi-Finals
Masters 38+ East saw Melbourne rally for a 7-5 victory over Blackburn as Upwey Ferntree Gully Gold won 5-1 over their fellow Tigers.
In Masters 38+ North West, Sunshine Blue outdid Williamstown 6-1 and Essendon shut out Newport 10-0.
In Masters 38+ South, Bonbeach Blue prevailed 7-4 over Mornington while Springvale Tomatoes won 12-1 against Sandringham.
The hot streak continued for Blackburn Masters 45+ as the Burners beat Malvern 9-2. Melbourne held on for an 11-9 victory at Sandringham.
Juniors Semi-Finals
U14 East Metro: a back-and-forth battle between Pakenham and Melbourne went the Demons' way 13-12 as Waverley outlasted Cheltenham 14-9.
U14 West Metro: Research Lower Plenty led at the end of the first but Essendon ended up winning 12-9. Port Melbourne defeated North Western 17-6.
U14 East State: Waverley won 14-3 over Essendon as Moorabbin advanced with a 10-3 victory at Chelsea.
U14 West State: Research Lower Plenty scored five late runs for a 7-4 victory against Newport while Geelong won 14-3 at Essendon.
U16 Metro: Malvern overpowered Essendon 12-3 and Sandringham beat Waverley 13-7.
U16 State: Sandringham scored seven while keeping Moorabbin off the board and Waverley outlasted Research/Preston 15-8.
U18 Metro: Cheltenham got the job done 10-6 vs. Doncaster as Essendon prevailed 10-7 over Pakenham.
U18 State: Blackburn Upwey Ferntree Gully edged Geelong 2-0 as Essendon beat Sandringham by the same score.
Under 12 Semi-Finals
U12 A State East: Blackburn won 13-5 vs. Waverley and Chelsea scored 12 while keeping Melbourne off the board.
U12 A State West: Newport won 12-5 at Essendon and Research Lower Plenty Maroon held on for an 8-7 victory at Geelong.
U12 B East: Springvale won 12-1 over Chelsea and Melbourne rallied for a 13-11 win at Sandringham.
U12 B West: Essendon scored in every inning to narrowly defeat Williamstown 12-11 and Preston overpowered Fitzroy Maroon 16-2.
Southern Mariners Intermediate: Chelsea scored 14 runs in a shutout over Bonbeach/Chelsea and Moorabbin edged Sandringham 4-3.
VSBL Division 1 and 2 Firsts wrapped up the regular season, with the top teams headed to semi-finals!
Catch up on the latest results below and don't forget to follow VSBL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates. Fixtures, results, and standings can be viewed HERE.
Division 1 Firsts
Blackburn shut out Sandringham 5-0 as Geelong staged a four-run comeback to finish 5-2 in front of Moorabbin. Sunshine scored 14 and kept Mulgrave off the board as Upwey Ferntree Gully prevailed 11-1 against Malvern. Berwick won 7-4 at Waverley and Essendon outlasted Melbourne 10-3.
Division 2 Firsts
Cheltenham scored 12 runs in a shutout vs. Preston as Fitzroy overpowered Bonbeach 16-9. St Kilda shut out North Western 14-0 and Williamstown won 10-3 against Ormond Glenhuntly. Doncaster prevailed 4-1 at Port Melbourne and Newport beat Werribee 14-4.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the life membership of Mick Wearne and Samantha Hamilton following the BV Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023.
“We are proud to confer life membership on Mick Wearne and Samantha Hamilton in accordance with Article 8 of the Baseball Victoria Constitution,” BV CEO Chet Gray said. “This is such a well-deserved honour for these two leaders who have dedicated many years of service to baseball in Victoria. They continue to lead the way in supporting and ultimately growing women’s baseball, and we are very grateful for their ongoing contributions to our great game.”
Mick Wearne
Mick Wearne is a long-standing club president, committee member, and player who has been involved with baseball in Victoria for over 50 years.
As the president of Springvale Baseball Club since 2001, Mick has fostered the club’s well-known women’s participation and development programs, including the new Diamond Girls initiative launched in 2019 for local school students.
A current committee member of the BV Women’s Pathway Working Group, Mick has previously served as an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning Victorian Women’s State Team in 2004 and 2005.
His decades of service to the Victorian baseball community also include co-founding Berwick Baseball Club in 1988 and life membership with Melbourne Aces.
Samantha Hamilton
Samantha Hamilton is a decorated Victorian and Australian representative who remains dedicated to developing and mentoring the next generation of players across the club, state, and international levels.
Samantha was appointed women’s head coach at Doncaster Baseball Club in 2006. Under her leadership, Doncaster has secured over ten premierships across all divisions and developed more than 20 players through the state and national program.
She’s recently stepped up to the plate as Victorian Women’s Head Coach, leading the state team to a silver medal finish last year before coaching the Victoria Aces to a first-place finish in the Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase.
Long-time baseball player and coach Daniel Chircop is pleased to take on the head coaching role for Maribyrnong Sports Academy’s Baseball Program as part of a new partnership between Baseball Victoria and MSA.
As an official partner of baseball in Victoria, MSA joined the BV Diamond Partnership Program at the Home Run level for 2023. Through this partnership, BV selected Daniel Chircop from the Performance Pathway to serve as head coach for the MSA Baseball Program and help lead student-athletes to success on and off the field.
Chircop started playing for Williamstown Baseball Club when he was 7 years old, and still plays for the Wolves to this day. A position player and pitcher, the former Victorian State Team representative has years of experience coaching junior and senior ball, and has been an assistant coach for the BV Performance Pathway over the past few seasons.
He is being mentored by BV High Performance Officer Damian Shanahan as he further develops his coaching abilities and embraces this new coaching opportunity.
“It feels fantastic, a big goal achieved for me. I've always had an interest in leadership and teaching, but I would say the last 5 years, as I could feel my competitive playing career slowing down, my interest in coaching peaked enough for me to set some goals around shifting into a role professionally,” Chircop said.
“Since then, I have been coaching senior club teams, taking the time to be trained formally and engaging in the Baseball Victoria Junior State Programs. I'm proud to say that landing this role has really been a culmination of that work.”
One of the things he’s most looking forward to is working with MSA’s talented group of athletes for an extended period of time, rather than just one tournament or season. He’s excited about the blank canvas to write his own program and focus on skill development.
“I want to really understand what the athletes are trying to achieve in their careers and help them work towards that goal,” Chircop said. “Being partnered with BV, I have access to a wealth of coaching knowledge and experience from the likes of Damian Shanahan and Keli'i Zablan to draw on, as well as access to the plethora of coaching resources BV holds.”
Chircop is ready for a big year of baseball ahead, leading MSA students to greater success in their sport and opening the door for more programs and opportunities in the future.
“I really want to sink my teeth into this role. This program remains an excellent opportunity for me to run a program the way I want to run it, with the guidance of BV's finest. I expect to learn as much about coaching as my students do about the game.”
Learn more about Maribyrnong Sports Academy HERE.
Mark your calendars for the Victorian Masters Carnival, a beloved baseball tradition since 1997. Set for 24-26 March, this is the carnival’s 27th year, having not being played in 2020 due to COVID. The upcoming tournament returns to original host Ballarat, home to a long and successful history of masters baseball.
There were 25 men’s teams in 2022, and this year’s numbers have increased to 36 teams, including five Over 30’s women’s teams. Players are coming from all over Australia to compete in the fun, playing a minimum of four games over three days.
BV Umpire Officers have introduced a new initiative to recruit, train, and mentor umpires at the Masters Carnival. It’s been great to see interest from masters players who want to join our umpiring fraternity, and the carnival is an excellent opportunity to keep experienced baseballers involved in this great game we love.
Organiser Rick Trezise is looking forward to the event and hopes to see a strong turnout of baseball veterans.
“The Masters Tournament has kept baseball alive and well in Ballarat for over a quarter of a century, and along with endless Ballarat baseball photo memorabilia in the Alfredton baseball clubrooms, it is a must to see for ‘old baseball history buffs’. The Victorian Masters Carnival is three days of great baseball, plenty of stories, and catching up with old mates.”
For more info on the upcoming tournament, head to the Victorian Masters Baseball FB group.
School Sport Victoria (SSV) is pleased to confirm the 2023 Team Vic Baseball 18 Years and Under roster.
Team Vic will represent SSV at the School Sport Australia Championships to be held in Lismore, NSW from Sunday 7 – Saturday 13 May 2023.
Congratulations to all our players named to Team Vic!
View the full team roster HERE.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to open tryout registration for the 2023 All-Girls Development team to play in the Little League State Championships at Knox as well as the Division 2 Little League Nationals.
The 2023 Development Team will be open to female players baseball ages 9 - 12 years.
Further information will be email to all registered participants – please sign up HERE.