Geelong will host an expanded Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase in May, bringing together Australian Emeralds stars and some of the country’s top female prospects for an action-packed four-day event.
The showcase from 5-8 May at Geelong Baseball Centre will be supported by the Victorian Government through its Significant Sporting Events Program.
It will split the country’s best women across the Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits and Victoria Aces for seven top-level games, culminating in a decider on 8 May.
The showcase will be another step towards a professional women’s league in Australia, which has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19 on sport.
Baseball Australia chief executive Glenn Williams said the showcase would build on last year’s historic event and was excited to take more elite baseball to Geelong following its successful hosting of the 2020 KBO Challenge featuring Team Australia.
“As baseball continues to climb its way out of the COVID pandemic, we are excited to have this exciting event squarely in our sights,” Williams said.
“The Australian Women’s Showcase was a great success in 2021, and the support from the Victorian Government will allow us to build of that momentum as we continue to edge closer to a sustainable and successful professional women’s baseball league in Australia.
“The passionate Geelong baseball community will have the chance to see Australia’s best female players compete in the showcase and we are excited to host this great event in Geelong.”
The Victorian Government’s support continues its ongoing commitment to baseball, including last year’s Australian Baseball League playoffs and this year’s Melbourne Challenge between the Melbourne Aces and Adelaide Giants.
Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said it was exciting to lock in a major women’s baseball experience on the 2022 calendar.
“We are committed to levelling the playing field, and investment in women’s sport is critical to achieving this outcome,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“Our support of the Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase brings the nation’s best baseballers to Geelong and we look forward welcoming them to the region this May.”
Further details, including a major broadcast announcement, for the Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase will be made in coming weeks.
For more information on Baseball Australia’s push towards a professional women’s league, or to make a tax-deductible donation, head to aleagueofherown.com.au.