In September 2024, Gareth Jones, CEO of Baseball Queensland, led an enterprise visit to Japan from 8–18 September, aiming to build partnerships with educational institutions and professional baseball organisations, while promoting sports exchanges between Japan and Queensland. The visit began in Osaka, where Jones and Mr. Danny Maruyama, Baseball Queensland’s Special Advisor for Partnerships with Japan, met with leaders of Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School, a top-performing girls’ baseball school. Discussions celebrated the school’s recent success in the Girls Koshien Tournament, with plans finalised for Kobe Koryo’s girls’ baseball team to visit Southeast Queensland in February 2025 to compete against Queensland’s Women’s, Development, and Youth Women’s teams. A tour of the school’s state-of-the-art baseball facilities showcased their commitment to player-led training and innovative approaches to skill development.

In Tokyo, the delegation met with representatives from Tokyo North Council, including Mayor Kanako Yamada, to discuss potential collaborations that could encourage participation in physical activity among Japan’s ageing population. Tokyo North Council expressed interest in promoting Queensland events such as the Pan Pacific Masters Games to Japanese teams. This partnership has the potential to expand mutual sports and cultural exchanges, further solidifying ties between Queensland and Japan.

The Nippon Professional Baseball Organisation (NPB) welcomed Jones to discuss opportunities related to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, with a focus on establishing Queensland as a potential spring training destination. Japan’s proximity to Queensland offers NPB teams a logistical advantage over traditional training locations in Hawaii and Arizona. With further collaboration, Baseball Queensland could establish Queensland as an attractive preseason base, providing NPB teams with the chance for high-level games to boost both local tourism and sports engagement.

In Fuchu, Baseball Queensland connected with Mr. Daisuke Minagawa and Mr. Aida, who lead a women’s baseball development initiative. This collaboration, supported by Baseball Australia, aims to offer players from Queensland opportunities to play competitively in Japan, fostering professional growth and cultural exchange. Future plans include promoting Japanese language skills and cultural exchange programs to enhance player engagement.

Overall, this visit established valuable new connections and reinforced existing ones, setting the stage for meaningful collaborations in 2025. Jones expresses gratitude to Mr. Maruyama and the Board of Baseball Queensland for their support, and he looks forward to welcoming the Kobe Koryo Gakuen teams to Queensland and working with NPB and Tokyo North Council on projects that will benefit Queensland’s baseball landscape.

Read the full report HERE

Baseball Queensland (BQ) is committed to improving the health and safety of its community and is excited to announce a new initiative to equip all clubs with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). This decision follows a comprehensive review and a health and safety survey conducted earlier this year.

Andrea Marshall, Director at Baseball Queensland and Professor at the Griffith School of Nursing and Midwifery, highlighted the importance of having AEDs available at club venues. She advised the BQ Board that “cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death for people under the age of 50 in Australia. For those who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, the survival rate is less than 1 in 10. However, when effective CPR and defibrillation are administered within 3-5 minutes, survival rates can soar from 6% to 74%.”

Professor Marshall went on to identify “An AED is portable and simple to use, even for individuals without medical training. The device delivers an electric shock to the heart via two pads, helping to ‘restart’ the heart’s normal electrical activity. CPR, on the other hand, helps maintain blood and oxygen flow, limiting damage to vital organs.”

To ensure every club has access to this life-saving technology, the Baseball Queensland Board of Management has resolved to provide AEDs free of charge to clubs that currently do not have one. The chosen model requires minimal maintenance and comes with an eight-year warranty. Clubs that already have an AED will receive a $1,000 voucher for use at First Aid Kits Australia, which can be used for purchasing first aid supplies or providing first aid and resuscitation training for volunteers.

Baseball Queensland makes this considerable investment in the expectation that all clubs will maintain these AEDs and ensure they are available at their venues at all times. This initiative is a critical step toward protecting the health and safety of everyone involved in the Queensland baseball community. This significant reinvestment into the community is made possible by the ongoing support of the community for Baseball Queensland programs and competitions.

Delivery of these devices and vouchers will commence in the coming weeks.

The Australian Resuscitation Council have produced this short video to provide insight to the ease of use of the AED devices.

Baseball Queensland would like to extend a sincere thank you to Brendan Vassallo for his service as Finance Director on the Board of Management. During his tenure, Brendan played an instrumental role in fortifying Baseball Queensland’s financial health, leaving the organisation in a strong position to support the growth of the sport across the state.

Brendan’s commitment to the development of baseball, particularly at the entry level, has been invaluable. He has been a champion of initiatives that make our sport accessible to all. His work to budget for the provision of participation kits for new entry level players exemplifies his dedication to creating opportunities for young people to engage with baseball.

Though Brendan steps down from his official role on the Board, he remains a passionate advocate and supporter of our sport. Brendan will also continue in his volunteer role as the Executive Officer of the U16 Queensland team for the 2025 Australian Youth Championships.

On behalf of the entire Baseball Queensland community, we extend our sincere gratitude for his dedication, vision, and positive impact. We look forward to his continued support as we work together to grow baseball in Queensland.

Baseball Queensland invites regions and clubs to express their interest in hosting the Queensland State Titles events across 2025 and 2026. These tournaments provide an invaluable opportunity for coaches, players, and officials to further develop their skills and gain experience, showcase their abilities, and proudly represent their communities. Beyond showcasing talent, these events embody baseball’s core values—fun, teamwork, friendships, and inclusive diversity—making them a celebrated highlight for communities throughout Queensland.

Hosting one or more Queensland State Titles offers clubs the chance to welcome players, families, and supporters from across the state, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement, on site vendors, interactive displays, camaraderie and some of Queensland’s best baseball talent. It’s an opportunity for your club to demonstrate its commitment to the sport, bring people together, and foster a spirit of teamwork that extends beyond the field.

In addition to creating lasting memories, hosting events will strengthen your club’s connection to the broader baseball network, enhancing its role in the sport’s growth and visibility across Queensland.

Regions and clubs interested in hosting one or more of these State Titles are encouraged to submit their expression of interest through the online form HERE . EOIs close Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at 5.00pm.

Download the Tournament Hosting Criteria Document

QLD State Titles Host Venues 2025 – 2026

Big League 

2025:  Saturday, 5 April 2025 to Sunday, 6 April 2025

2026:  Saturday, 11 April 2026 to Sunday, 12 April 2026

Little League, Intermediate League, Junior League and Senior League Division 1 

2025:  Thursday, 10 April 2025 to Sunday, 13 April 2025

2026:  Thursday, 16 April 2026 to Sunday, 19 April 2026

Little League, Junior League and Senior League Division 2 & 3 

2025: Friday 11 April 2025 to Sunday, 13 April 2025

2026: Friday, 17 April 2026 to Sunday, 19 April 2026

Open Women’s State Titles

2025:  Friday, 12 December 2025 to Sunday, 14 December 2025

2026:  Friday, 11 December 2026 to Sunday, 13 December 2026

Youth Women’s and Little League Girls

(Likely introduction of new Youth Women Division 2, to be endorsed) 

2025:  Monday, 15 December 2025 to Wednesday, 17 December 2025

2026:  Monday, 14 December 2026 to Wednesday, 16 December 2026

 Masters

2025:  Thursday, 24 April 2025 to Sunday, 27 April 2025

2026:  Thursday, 23 April 2026 to Sunday, 26 April 2026

• Childcare Centre Programs: Introducing young children to baseball in a safe and fun environment. 
• Girls’ Pre-season T-Ball Carnivals: Organising region-specific carnivals to give young female players their first experience of baseball and creating more opportunities to play.
• After School Sports Programs: Bringing baseball to school settings to engage female youth in a social and structured environment.
• Female-specific Skills Clinics: Providing development clinics to help female athletes build both playing and officiating skills.
• Come and Try Events: Hosting region-specific events to engage females of all ages, connecting them with local baseball clubs and giving them a chance to try the sport.
• Support for Women’s Leagues: Expanding women’s competitions across Queensland, celebrating and fostering female involvement.
• Building Female Pathways: Establishing clear pathways for females from grassroots to competitive play, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment at every stage.

“We are honoured to receive the Play Our Way grant, which will be transformative for the future of women’s baseball in Queensland,” said Sam Cawdron, Baseball Queensland’s Game Development Manager. “This funding allows us to further our work in creating inclusive, quality programs that inspire women and girls to be a part of our baseball community for life.”