Women's Showcase to hit Geelong

AUSTRALIA’S best female baseball talent will show off their skills on the diamond when they descend on Geelong Baseball Centre early next month.

Baseball Australia’s Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase taking place from May 5 to May 8 will bring together a mixture of Australian Emeralds stars and some of the best female prospects from across the country.

“As baseball continues to climb its way out of the COVID pandemic, we are excited to have this exciting event squarely in our sights,” Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams said.

Morgan Dotty of Victoria Blue stretches for a catch.

The four-day showcase at Geelong Baseball Centre in Grovedale, supported by the Victorian Government through its Significant Sporting Events Program, will mix the country’s best women from three teams the Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits and Victoria Aces, into high-calibre top-level sides.

In all, there will be seven baseball games culminating in a May 8 decider as the showcase adds another step in the journey of forming a professional women’s league in Australia.

Geelong has long been a baseball hub throughout Victoria and member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said it is exciting to lock in major women’s baseball event on the 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.”

Shae Lillywhite of Victoria Blue at the 2019 Australian Women’s Baseball Championship Series.

Baseball Australia’s Mr Williams said the showcase would build on last year’s historic Women’s Baseball Showcase and that Geelong was the perfect fit after the city hosted the 2020 KBO Challenge featuring Team Australia.

“The Australian Women’s Showcase was a great success in 2021, and the support from the Victorian Government will allow us to build on 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.”

More information on Baseball Australia’s push towards a professional women’s league can be found at www.aleagueofherown.com.au.