The Women’s State Finals at Runcorn Indians Baseball Club were nothing short of spectacular, and this year, Baseball5 made its mark in a big way! Over two exciting days—Friday, December 12th, and Saturday, December 13th—the newest form of baseball brought energy, smiles, and plenty of action to the event.
From the very start, kids were out in force, giving Baseball5 a red-hot go and showing just how fun and fast-paced this game can be. Their enthusiasm set the tone for an incredible weekend of sport and community spirit.
But it wasn’t just the kids who got involved. We were thrilled to welcome the Northern Territory Buffaloes and the North Queensland Storm, who faced off in a special Baseball5 matchup—reigniting the Northern Cup! This was the first time these talented ladies had played Baseball5, and they were absolutely fantastic, embracing the challenge and showcasing incredible sportsmanship.
But it wasn’t just the kids who got involved. We were thrilled to welcome the Northern Territory Buffaloes and the North Queensland Storm, who faced off in a special Baseball5 matchup—reigniting the Northern Cup! This was the first time these talented ladies had played Baseball5, and they were absolutely fantastic, embracing the challenge and showcasing incredible sportsmanship.
Day two brought even more excitement as players from the Gold Coast Cougars joined in, taking on some of our eager community players in friendly games that had everyone cheering. The atmosphere was electric, with smiles, giveaways, and great sportsmanship on display throughout the event.
Overall, it was an unforgettable two days at the State Titles, and Baseball5 proved to be a hit with players and fans alike. We’re already looking forward to expanding Baseball5 next year to feature at all Baseball Queensland State Title events—so stay tuned for even more action in 2026!
Baseball Queensland’s 6-week School Baseball Program has wrapped up for the term – and if the smiles, high-fives and dusty knees were anything to go by, it was a home run.
Run in partnership with three Brisbane primary schools – St Peter Chanel, Mater Dei and St Ambrose – the program brought baseball and t-ball to life for around 50 students. Led by six Baseball Queensland Development Officers and championed by the ever-supportive PE teacher, Clare Fyans, the program turned school ovals into mini ballparks filled with laughter, teamwork and plenty of big swings.
Over six weeks, students were introduced to the fundamental skills of baseball and t-ball: throwing, catching, hitting, base-running and fielding. Sessions were designed to be fun, supportive and inclusive – a space where students could stay active, pick up new skills and build confidence along the way. Drills were mixed with games and challenges, giving every student a chance to shine, regardless of experience.
“It was really impressive to see how quickly the students picked things up, their skill level by the end of the six weeks was a real credit to their hard work and the great coaching from our Development Officers.”
– Dane Steinke, Baseball Queensland Game Development Officer (Women & Girls)
The grand finale of the program was a T-ball carnival day hosted at Holloway Field in Newmarket – the home of the Windsor Royals and Brisbane Bandits, and one of Australia’s premier baseball venues. Thanks to the support and cooperation of both clubs, students were given the chance to step onto a real diamond and experience the game on a bigger stage.
Representatives from Windsor Royals and the Brisbane Bandits were on hand to chat with students, run skill stations and help out across the morning. There were prizes, giveaways and plenty of encouragement from coaches, teachers and club staff. Students were split into their school teams and rotated through a series of fast-paced, fun and competitive T-ball games across two fields.
Despite the warm weather, the energy never dropped. Cheers rang out from the dugouts and sidelines as classmates encouraged each other, celebrated big hits and scrambled after fly balls. Decked out in official Baseball Queensland uniforms, the students looked and felt the part, giving the carnival a real “big league” atmosphere.
For Coach Tara, one of the Baseball Queensland Development Officers involved in the delivery, the experience was a highlight of the term.
“The best part of the carnival was seeing the kids light up after every play – whether they hit a home run or just made it to first base, they were all smiles. It felt like one big celebration of having fun and giving it a go.”
At the end of the carnival, Baseball Queensland staff handed out special awards to students who best demonstrated team spirit, sportsmanship and positivity. While there were plenty of great plays on the field, the focus of the day – and the program as a whole – was on effort, encouragement and enjoying being active together.
The feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive. Donna Jones, Principal of Mater Dei in Ashgrove West, shared her appreciation following the event passing on her sincere gratitude to the baseball coaches for sharing their expertise and teaching the students the skills of the game, describing it as “an exceptional experience for them all.”
Clare Fyans also thanked Baseball Queensland for organising the T-ball competition at Holloway Field, noting that the event was “a huge success” and that it was clear the students had “a fantastic time participating.”
For Baseball Queensland, the program has reinforced the value of bringing quality, skills-based sports programs directly to schools in a way that’s fun, age-appropriate and inclusive. Students not only gained an introduction to baseball and t-ball, but also had the chance to develop important life skills like teamwork, resilience, communication and confidence – all while making new friends and discovering a new sport.
Baseball Queensland is excited to continue building on the success of this 6-week School Baseball Program and is already looking ahead to future collaborations with schools across Brisbane and beyond.
Any primary schools interested in adding a fresh, engaging and enriching option to their sports program are encouraged to reach out to Baseball Queensland to explore how a tailored baseball or t-ball program could work for their students.
Big swings and big smiles – that’s what the Baseball Queensland School Baseball Program is all about!
Baseball Queensland extends its sincere appreciation to Andy Utting for his dedicated service as a Director on the Board of Management, acknowledging the significant impact he has made during his tenure and the legacy he leaves across multiple areas of the organisation.
Andy first joined the Board as Director of Player Development, overseeing a period of exceptional success for Queensland teams on the national stage. During his tenure in the portfolio, Queensland recorded some of its strongest results in recent years, including:
Gold medals at the 2023 U18 National Championships and the 2023 Youth Women’s National Championships
Silver medals at the 2024 U16 National Championships and the 2024 Youth Women’s National Championships
Bronze medals at the 2024 U18 National Championships and the 2024 Open Women’s National Championships
These achievements not only reflect the strength of Baseball Queensland’s pathways but also Andy’s commitment to supporting athletes, coaches, and performance staff. His leadership helped create an environment in which Queensland athletes could excel.
Following this period of strong performance outcomes, Andy transitioned to the Communications and Partnerships portfolio—bringing with him a wealth of experience, including his time representing Australia on the international stage. As a team member of the Australian Olympic Baseball Team that secured the historic Silver Medal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Andy’s reputation and connections within the global baseball community added immense value to Baseball Queensland’s international partnership strategy.
His understanding of high-performance baseball and his credibility within elite circles contributed to opening new relationship pathways, particularly in Japan, where Andy’s competitive background and genuine passion for international collaboration resonated strongly with prospective partners. This groundwork has played an important role in advancing Baseball Queensland’s long-term objectives in sport diplomacy, exchange opportunities, and international engagement.
Baseball Queensland thanks Andy for his professionalism, insights, and contributions across both portfolios. His service has strengthened the organisation and created opportunities that will benefit Queensland baseball for years to come.
We wish Andy every success in his future endeavours and look forward to his continued involvement in the sport he has served so well.
Baseball Queensland’s Performance Pathways department announces three international events for December 2025. Representing different stages of athlete preparation, our Under 16’s and Under 18’s are in the final stages of preparation for the upcoming Australian Youth Championships in Melbourne in January, while our Open Women’s Squad will be set to have their first commitment as a squad as we look ahead towards the Australian Women’s Championships in April 2026.
Australian Youth Championships – U16s and U18s
Queensland to Host New Zealand U16 & U18 Teams in AYC Lead-Up Series
Baseball Queensland will host the touring New Zealand U16 and U18 squads 2 x six-game series from 12–15 December 2025. Matches will be held across Bannister Park, Hendra and Coomera Baseball Club, as part of final preparations for the 2026 Australian Youth Championships (AYC).
This marks the second consecutive year the New Zealand U18s have toured Australia. In 2025, they will be joined for the first time by a U16 squad, further strengthening ties between Baseball Queensland and Baseball New Zealand.
The series follows Baseball Queensland’s two-squad tour to Auckland in September, highlighting the growing partnership and shared commitment to player development through international competition.
Game Schedule
Friday, 12 December
All Stars, Bannister Park, Hendra
5:00pm – U18 QLD
7:00pm – U16 QLD
Saturday, 13 December
Coomera Cubs, Gambamora Park, Oxenford
8:00am – U16 QLD
10:30am – U16 QLD
1:00pm – U18 QLD
3:30pm – U18 QLD
Sunday, 14 December
Coomera Cubs, Gambamora Park, Oxenford
8:00am – U18 QLD
10:30am – U18 QLD
1:00pm – U16 QLD
3:30pm – U16 QLD
Monday, 15 December
All Stars, Bannister Park, Hendra
9:00am – U16 QLD
11:00am – U18 QLD
These games offer valuable high-level competition for Queensland athletes and provide a final test before the national championships in January. The inbound series continues to grow as a key event on the Baseball Queensland calendar.
Queensland U18s Set to Depart for 2025 New Taipei City U-18 Invitational
The Queensland U18 Baseball Team is preparing to embark on an exciting international tour to Taiwan for the 2025 New Taipei City International U-18 Baseball Invitational Tournament. This marks Queensland’s third consecutive appearance at the prestigious event, which brings together elite teams from across Asia and the Pacific.
Running from 14 to 20 December, the tournament will see Queensland compete against powerhouse programs from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan — providing a vital opportunity to test systems, build chemistry, and gain experience ahead of the 2026 Australian Youth Championships (AYC) in January.
The team will be based across Sanchong, Xinzhuang, and Metropolitan Baseball Fields, with three scheduled group-stage games before potential progression into finals.
Game 1
Date: Sunday, 15 December 2025
Time: 4:00 PM (Brisbane)
Venue: Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium
Opponent: New Taipei City White
Game 2
Date: Monday, 16 December 2025
Time: 1:30 PM (Brisbane)
Venue: Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium
Opponent: Yilan County
Game 3
Date: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Time: 4:00 PM (Brisbane)
Venue: Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium
Opponent: Taichung City
The full finals schedule begins Thursday 18 December, with classification games, top-12 playoffs, and a championship match on Saturday 20 December.
Off the Field
Beyond the games, the trip includes cultural experiences, team development sessions, and engagement with host communities — creating a well-rounded international tour for both personal and athletic growth.
The tour is led by a dedicated coaching staff: David Badke, Scott Porter, Luke Ardill, and Rickey Lo, who will guide the group through the tour and final phase of AYC preparation.
Follow Along
Games and highlights will be shared across Baseball Queensland’s social media and the tournament’s official page:
You can find the occasional update from these camps on the Baseball QLD Events page.
Australian Women’s Championships
Queensland Women’s Squad Welcome Kobe Koryo back for Friendship Series Rematch
We are honoured to welcome back Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School for a three-game series between December 21st and December 23rd. After a successful two-game series in January, the return of the Kookaburra Cup Friendship Series this month will see a freshly selected Queensland Women’s squad take on a talented, high-performing Kobe Koryo team on their return visit to Southeast Queensland.
Prior to Kobe’s return, the Queensland squad will be selected from observations at the upcoming Women’s State Titles event at Runcorn Indians Baseball Club, held from Friday 12 to Sunday 14th December, aspiring Queensland Women’s athletes will take to the fields for their respective regions with hopes of impressing Queensland state selectors. The Kobe Koryo Friendship Series will form one of the first steps in the observation period as our Queensland Women progress towards selection for the Australian Women’s Championships, set to be held in Melbourne in April, 2026.
First Five Weeks Complete: Townsville Social Competition
Seeing growing numbers week on week, the first Social Competition for Baseball5 reaches the half-way mark!
We’re excited to see the return of this first of it’s kind competition in late January. The final five-week block is set to commence on Wednesday January 21 2026, with the competition concluding on Wednesday February 18, 2026.
Make sure you come down and have a go, it’s a cheap opportunity to get some fun fast-paced, baseball skills training each week as Townsville builds towards the 2026 season around Easter 2026.
Find out more about the Social Competition through the Townsville Social button!
Gold Coast Active and Healthy
Baseball5 is growing fast, and the next opportunity to play it is on December 20 between 9am and 11am at Palm Beach Parklands. These are free sessions that are supported by the City of Gold Coast, supporting the community to pick up and play social sports across the city!
We’ll also return to Palm Beach Parklands for our January 17, 2026 session as well! Keep an eye out for some additional opportunities for Baseball5 on the Gold Coast these holidays, as our partnership with the City of Gold Coast continues to prosper.
All of the dates and locations for our monthly Baseball5 Active and Healthy sessions through June 2026 can be found here:
NEW EOI Open: Redlands Baseball5 Social Competition
With recent successes in Redlands schools, we’re seeking early interest in a social community competition, a Redlands City local? Fill out the form here: https://forms.office.com/r/csr52NA1bR
Baseball Queensland would like to thank Place. Real Estate for their interest and participation in our first Corporate League!
The three-team competition took to the Baseball diamond at Eagles Sports Complex, home of the Mt. Gravatt Eagles to compete a round-robin short-season, including a first week introductory session and final week break-up party.
Focused on fast, fun 30 minute games, supported by a fun-pire, Place. group were able to let their diamond sports veterans show off and their new-to-the-game entrants humble their colleagues.
Watch the highlight reel to see the energy, commitment, camaraderie and skills displayed by the teams from Place.
We are grateful for the opportunity to support the teams from Place. to enjoy Baseball through T-Ball and thank them for their enthusiastic engagement, support and cooperation!
Corporate Leagues
Off the success and support of Place., Baseball Queensland’s Game Development team are developing the Corporate League format and anticipate releasing more resources and information around how other companies can get involved soon.