Last weekend the 4 teams in the Women’s League played their 5th round at Southern Stars Baseball Club in Regents Park. The weather held up just enough to get two quality games of baseball in the books, advancing us one step closer to the playoffs.

Western District Bulldogs played Padres White in a very exciting and quality game of baseball resulting in Padres White taking the win 12-9. This game had some outstanding plays made by both teams, as well as some quality at bats and strong pitching. The sisters from Padres White, Amy and Kate West, both hit inside-the-park-homeruns to help out their team. The Bulldog’s pitching was very strong as usual but not sharp enough to silence Padres bats.

The second game was between Southern Stars and Padres Red, with Southern Stars remaining undefeated after their 11-10 win.  This close game was action packed with Padres outhitting Stars but the Southern Stars women made crucial outs to keep them in the game. Special mention to Kate Oppatt from Padres who hit a triple and to Erin Hewitt at shortstop for Southern Stars who made a fantastic out that helped Stars take the win.

After 5 rounds of play we have an undefeated Southern Stars at the top of the ladder, with Padres Red coming in second, followed by Padres White and tailing closely are the Western Bulldogs.

All teams will be travelling to Darra on Saturday for the final round of the regular season. Western Bulldogs will host Southern Stars at 2pm, followed by another Padres showdown at 4pm as the Red and White team go head-to-head.

See you out there for another fantasti weekend of baseball!

The GBL Women’s League played in their fourth round of completion on Saturday afternoon. All four teams played at Redcliffe Padres in what was a fantastic and entertaining afternoon of baseball!

Game One saw Padres White take on Southern Stars in a solid game where Stars took the win 20-8. While Padres recorded the loss they did outhit Stars 13-10, however their pitching was lacking which consequently allowed Southern Stars to wrack up some runs. Both teams had a number of first hits as well as fantastic outs made in the field. Special mention to Amy West from Padres White who hit an inside the park homerun!

The second game of the day was between Padres Red and Wests; Padres Red took the win 13-9 in a fiercely played game. Both teams managed to show aggression at the plate with outstanding at bats from the Padres Red side. Fantastic pitching from both Padres and Wests who showed that accuracy is everything.

As we hit the middle of the regular season, all involved in the league comment frequently on the incredible opportunity this league is bringing to their baseball ‘careers’. It is very evident that the league is appealing to players of all levels, with State athletes in the same team as proud mothers aiming to put their years of spectator experience to good use; there really is no better way to engage and grow the sport of female baseball.

Heading into Round 5, Southern Stars currently sit on top of the ladder, followed by Padres Red, Westerns Bulldogs and lastly, Padres White. With Round 5 being held at Southern Stars Baseball Club on Saturday it will be an important round to get some extra wins for the teams lower on the ladder.

If you can get out to Southern Stars on Saturday 17th November at 2pm to support the Wests and Padres White ladies and 4pm for the Southern Stars and Padres Red teams, then please do to help our new league grow and develop!

Big thank you to everyone involved from players, coaches, umpires, scores and families- you are all superstars and make this competition exactly how it should be: fun!

Photos by: Rodney Reed. Thank you for taking such fantastic pictures of the teams on Saturday!

This week the 2018 Women’s League was out at Darra, the home of the Western Bulldogs Baseball Club, to play in 2 very fun filled games of baseball! All four teams showed excellent endurance in the scorching 35C heat and played with increased confidence and aggression.

Game One commenced at 2pm with Western Bulldogs going up against Padres White in a 3-inning game. Padres White came away with the win this week, 14-7 after they showed dominance with their exceptional base running and batting abilities. Starting pitcher for Wests, Gina Fuller threw a complete game with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk. Padres White had a number of players get their first hit of the competition, well done! The game was unfortunately cut short after an injury that halted the game’s progression, however both teams showed friendly sportsmanship throughout the break and finished in high spirits.

Long-term West’s player, Gina Fuller says the new league is a fantastic way to fit more baseball into her schedule, “It’s so lovely playing with women, I play Masters in the men’s competition as well but this league is really special. There is a lot of camaraderie, we have a lot of fun because we don’t take it to seriously and the more baseball I get to play the better!”

Padres White player, Alexandra Dunsdon comments on the friendly nature of the league, “The league is really fun and encouraging. I’m really proud to be able to show my daughters that playing baseball isn’t just for their dad; women and girls can play too and I think they are one of the biggest reasons I signed on. I underestimated how much was involved in the game so I’ve been really amazed at how much we are fitting in and learning in each training session. Everyone has the best time out on the field, it’s a lot of fun.”

The second game of the day saw Padres Red go up against Southern Stars, who came away with the win 11-7.  Both team’s bats were firing with a total of 15 hits over the 3 innings of play. Standout performances from Maddy Tough from Padres Red who went 2 for 2 with 3 RBI’s and one double & Karen Gallpen from Southern Stars who pitched a complete game facing 21 hitters, coming away 0 walks.

Jo Crotty, Padres Red player and beloved member of Redcliffe Padres comments on her team’s spirit being out of this world, “Our women’s baseball league just continues to get more exciting each time we step out on the field. It’s so much fun and encouraging watching our team mates for the first time pitch, catch a fly ball, throw an out on base, catch an out on base but especially hitting a ball and making it on base. I love this game! I love watching my kid’s play but now, especially love having my own teammates.”

Baseball Queensland’s Women’s and Girl’s Participation Director, Geoff Wade reveals his plans for the league, “ I think we will see female participation increase next season. Most clubs are already talking to me about what we can do to increase player numbers. I will be working with my participation group and the GBL to help strengthen and develop the Women’s League.”

Thank you to Western Districts Bulldogs for hosting Round 3; you put on a great afternoon of baseball that we all enjoyed immensely!

Join us at Redcliffe Padres Baseball Club this Saturday 10th November for Round 4! We have Padres White going up against Southern Stars at 3pm and Padres Red against Wests at 5pm. With live commentary from David Hopkins and music to set the mood, this round is sure to be a cracker!

*Please email me at [email protected] if you have any photos form the games to share online*