A Place to Belong: Baseball5s helps participants shine at the tErtiary place

At The Tertiary Place, Baseball5 has become much more than a game. 

For the participants taking part in the five-week competition, it is a chance to connect, build confidence and be part of a team where everyone belongs.

Now in its second season after a successful pilot program in 2025, the Baseball5 competition continues to create opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities to get active in a fun and supportive environment.

Each week, players arrive ready to bat, field, cheer on teammates and celebrate each other’s successes.

The inclusive design of Baseball5 has been key to the program’s success. With adaptive options built into the game from the beginning, participants can choose the level that suits them best and take on new challenges at their own pace. 

This allows every player to join in and contribute in a way that feels comfortable and rewarding for them.

Manager of The Tertiary Place, Mary McKenna, said the program gives participants a real sense of belonging.

“The programme affords all participants, regardless of their strengths, to shine,” Mary said.

Whether participants are hitting the ball, making a play in the field or supporting teammates from the sidelines, every role is valued. 

Over the course of the competition, confidence has continued to grow as players encourage one another and celebrate achievements together.

“It is heartwarming to see each of our people shine as they are able to participate in their own way and see the sense of accomplishment on their faces as their peer group cheers them on,” Mary said.

The program has quickly become a highlight of the week for many participants, with the welcoming and supportive atmosphere helping players feel safe, included and excited to return each session.

As Baseball5 continues to grow across Queensland, programs like this are showing the power of inclusive sport and the positive impact it can have when everyone is given the opportunity to take part.

Queensland’s First Interschool Baseball5 Competition a Hit

Queensland’s First Interschool Baseball5 Competition a Hit

Queensland has officially stepped into a new era of school sport, with the state’s very first interschool Baseball5 (B5s) competition bringing energy, inclusivity, and fast-paced action to the forefront.

Held over five exciting weeks, the competition saw students from Parklands Christian College, Kings Christian College, and Bethania Lutheran College go head-to-head in a format that is redefining how baseball can be played in schools.

A Game for Everyone

Unlike traditional baseball, Baseball5 removes barriers and opens the game up to more students. With no bats or pitched balls, players hit with their hands, making it safer, simpler, and more accessible.

Dan Spiers from Kings Christian College highlighted the significance of the event, as the first Baseball5 interschool competition to take place in Queensland.

He also emphasised the format’s accessibility.

“B5s is an inclusive game of baseball… you can play it absolutely anywhere. The games are a lot faster—we got through three innings in 20 minutes.”

That inclusivity has been key to the competition’s success.

“Every kid gets an opportunity to hit the ball and to field,” Spiers added.

“Kids that may be a bit concerned about facing a pitched ball—that barrier is removed.”

Fast, Fun, and Competitive

Across all three schools, one theme was clear: students quickly fell in love with the game.

At Bethania Lutheran College, Tanya Morris noted how easy it was to get started.

“Minimal equipment is needed—anyone can do it—it’s so easy. Once they (the kids) know the rules they love it. It’s easy and it’s fast-paced.”

B5s was the sport of choice at Parklands Christian College with its focus on health, fitness, and fun along with ball skills.

Alisha Scott, one of Parklands teachers, pointed the developmental benefits she was finding for her students.

“It teaches kids coordination skills. They have to hit, run, and look where they need to go.”

And for those students who thrive on competition?

“Our sporty kids love it—they are super competitive.”

Teachers in the Hot Seat

While the students embraced the fast-paced nature of the game, teachers found themselves facing a new kind of challenge—umpiring.

Scott admitted that making the right call under pressure isn’t always easy.

“A close play is harder than teaching in the classroom because there is so much happening—and if you get it wrong, all the kids will call you out. In the classroom, you know you’re the boss.”

Building the Future of the Game

Beyond the scores and results, the inaugural competition represents something much bigger: a new accessible way to play diamond sports for young athletes across Queensland.

With its emphasis on inclusivity, simplicity, and fun, Baseball5 is proving to be an ideal entry point for schools. The success of this five-week competition not only highlights the appetite for the format but also sets the stage for future growth.

As the final games wrapped up, one thing was certain—this may have been the first interschool B5s competition in Queensland, but it won’t be the last.

Baseball5 Shines at 2025 Women’s State Titles

Baseball5 Shines at 2025 Women’s State Titles

December 2025

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 Announce Packed December Calendar of Events

Baseball Queensland Announce Packed December Calendar of Events

24 November 2025

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.

Follow Along

Follow the series via the BQ Events page: https://www.facebook.com/baseballqldevents/

Games are set to be scored live on GameChanger, and you can find the links, as well as the schedule at: https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/calendar/nz-v-qld-dec-25/

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:

BQ Events: https://www.facebook.com/baseballqldevents/

New Taipei City x Fubon U18 Invitational Tournament: https://www.facebook.com/NTPCxFUBONxU18

Games are typically live streamed on their official tournament page as well.

We wish the team all the best as they prepare to represent Queensland on the international stage.

You can always return to the Event page for this information as well! https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/calendar/2025-new-taipei-city-fubon-international-u-18-baseball-invitational-tournament/

Training Camps

Local training camps are also set to take place across numerous dates in December and January, all in the lead up to the Australian Youth Championships from January 7 to January 15, 2026 across three venues in Melbourne, Victoria. https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/calendar/australian-youth-championships-2026/

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.

Game 1

Date: Sunday, 21 December 2025

Time: 10:00 AM (Brisbane)

Venue: All Stars, Bannister Park, Hendra

Game 2

Date: Sunday, 21 December 2025

Time: 1:00 PM (Brisbane)

Venue: All Stars, Bannister Park, Hendra

Game 3

Date: Tuesday, 23 December 2025

Time: 6:30 PM (Brisbane)

Venue: All Stars, Bannister Park, Hendra

Follow Along

Follow the series via the BQ Events page: https://www.facebook.com/baseballqldevents/

Games are set to be scored live on GameChanger, and you can find the links, as well as the schedule at: https://web.gc.com/organizations/X9rHAcy8vntd/home 

Baseball5

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

Victoria Point State High School Welcomed as the 4th Official Baseball5 Academy

Victoria Point State High School Welcomed as the 4th Official Baseball5 Academy

Victoria Point State High School joins the Baseball5 Family as Queensland’s 4th School Academy
Baseball Queensland is thrilled to announce that Victoria Point State High School has officially become the 4th Baseball5 Academy in Queensland! Over the past month, our team has been working closely with the school’s Vikings Academy, delivering development sessions that introduced and nurtured a love for the exciting world of Baseball5.

With over 70 students from Year 7, 8, and 9 participating, these sessions were more than just an introduction; they were a launchpad for growth. Students embraced the challenge with energy and enthusiasm, showing remarkable progress as they transitioned from beginners to budding Baseball5 athletes within the space of a few short weeks. Their commitment and passion were evident in every play, setting up a strong foundation for the sport within the school’s academy. 

Victoria Point SHS is now positioned as a pillar for Baseball5 in the Redlands, reflecting not only the students’ dedication but also the incredible support from the school staff, who welcomed our coaches and championed this initiative. Victoria Point SHS joins our existing Baseball5 Academies at Robina State High School on the southern Gold Coast, Runcorn State High School in southern Brisbane and Earnshaw State College on the northside of Brisbane. A clear demonstration of the growth of Baseball5 within Queensland schools at a time where the format has, notably, surpassed T-Ball in total Sporting Schools bookings in Queensland.

A huge thank you to the staff and students for making this journey possible. We are excited to see Victoria Point SHS thrive as part of the Baseball5 family. 

Congratulations and welcome aboard, Victoria Point State High School! 

Learn more about Victoria Point’s Vikings Sports Academy here:

Need to learn more about Baseball5? It’s the fast-paced, 5 vs 5 format that can be played anywhere, focused around four of Baseball’s key skills, condensed into 20-30 minute games.

Visit our Baseball5 page by clicking the button below and find out more!

Pick up and Play Baseball5 with Gold Coast Social Sport

Pick up and Play Baseball5 with Gold Coast Social Sport

September 2025

Baseball Queensland are excited to announce the dates for our Baseball5 Active and Healthy sessions!

You’ll have the opportunity to pick up and play Baseball5 across a 2-hour session every month. (with an extra School Holiday session on the 24th!)

With fast-paced, easy to pick up skills, you don’t need any previous experience or athleticism to join in on the fun of B5! Our Game Development Officers will give you everything you need to know!

Have any questions? Reach out to Joe, [email protected]

This activity is supported by the City of Gold Coast.

 

The Upcoming Dates

September 20, 2025

From 9am to 11am, on Fisherman’s Lawn at the Broadwater Parklands.

 

September 24, 2025

From 9am to 11am, at Pizzey Park, located next to the Skate Park.