Bendigo will be the epicentre of the women’s baseball world this weekend, as the Australian Emeralds preparation for the 2018 Women’s World Cup begins in earnest.
The Emeralds will host the number one team in the world, Japan, in the inaugural Bendigo Challenge which begins Friday at Strathfieldsaye Recreational Reserve.
For the greater Bendigo community, the Bendigo Challenge is an opportunity for the baseball-mad city to take in top level baseball, while for the 39 Australian Emeralds squad members, this weekend will serve as the last chance to impress ahead of the eighth Women’s World Cup in Florida.
Of the 39 hopefuls, 20 will receive the call-up to represent Australia at the World Cup, which begins on August 22.
Australian Emeralds Manager Simone Wearne believes the Bendigo Challenge will serve as the perfect preparation for the team.
“We’ve put together a squad that will challenge each other, compete at a high level and contains a good blend of youth and experience,” Wearne said.
“Over half the squad we have selected are 25 or under, with eight players under the age of 18.”
“Those numbers are important for our program and show the depth that is coming through across the country.
“We have a number of veterans still pushing for selection, and this will no doubt assist in creating a really competitive environment for overall World Cup team selection.”
“The opportunity to come up against the best team in the world (Japan) will serve as perfect preparation for the World Cup.”
The Emeralds claimed major scalps at the 2016 World Cup in Japan on their way to a 5th place finish, with victories against baseball powerhouses Korea and the USA.
The 39 World Cup hopefuls will be split into two teams (Australia Green and Australia White), with Australia Green kicking off the challenge against Japan at 9am this Saturday.