There was plenty to celebrate at the 2026 Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame and Awards Gala last month. And while there was plenty of silverware to flash around, it was the people and the memories that made the night truly special.

 Held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, the Gala was a celebration of players, coaches, volunteers, officials, families and friends that make our game special. There was reminiscing and storytelling aplenty, flashy outfits and laughs to make the memory reel.

 Our lively MC Ben Foster kept the night moving with plenty of colour and energy while guests were dazzled as a roving magician provided the laughs. Studio Honsa was there to capture all the moments. Album code boq26

Behind the scenes mastery

Sally O’Connor is the queen of managing moving pieces. As this year’s Administrator of the Year, Sally was integral in the coordination and delivery of the inaugural Australian defence Force Diamond Sports National baseball Tournament held at Pine Hills Lightning Baseball Club in November 2025.

Coordinating a national tournament exclusively for Australian Defence Force personnel required significant organisation, stakeholder engagement and attention to detail. From logistics and scheduling to volunteers, communications and participation opportunities, she established the systems and processes needed to deliver the event and create a framework for future tournaments.

The award reflects not only the success of the tournament, but her contribution to growing grassroots baseball within Defence, using the sport to build connection, wellbeing and camaraderie.

An eye for the detail, a mentor for the masses

Marina Zandegiacomo is as calm, composed and professional as it comes in the scorers booth. In a highly unpredictable environment that is both the senior and masters competitions, Marina provides a meticulous attention to detail that upholds the integrity of the game. 

Beyond her technical expertise – honed over the past five years – Marina displays strong leadership and mentoring qualities. Always willing to lend a hand, she willingly shares her knowledge with aspiring scores, guiding them through the complexities of the craft and encouraging their own confidence and growth. .

As the 2026 Scorer of the Year, Marina embodies the values of Baseball Queensland not only through technical skills but through the spirit she brings to the community and the game. 

Coaching a game but shaping lives

Paddy Clavin’s coaching prowess extends far beyond simply technical development. A coach of multiple teams at Pine River Rapids, Paddy is ‘not just a coach’, he is someone who helps players grow both on and off the field. 

Deeply invested in his players, he provides not only a challenge but an enjoyable and welcoming environment for all experience levels. 

As this year’s Coach of the Year, Paddy’s coaching philosophies encompass sportsmanship, teamwork and resilience, becoming a mentor and role model for the players he coaches. 

Umpiring with consistency and purpose

Umpires are often known simply for calling balls and strikes, safes and outs. John Robertsons contribution goes well beyond calling games. 

If calling 45 games a season, on top of national duties wasn’t enough, Johns recognition as this year’s Umpire of the Year stems through the development and capacity building he provides for our new wave of young umpires.

There’s something about knowing there’s someone on your side. John is there at each game, helping them navigate their first experiences in the role and encouraging them to keep going. 

His consistency, knowledge and professionalism continues to shine through, as the kind of umpire and mentor you want around. 

A Volunteer making a lasting difference

When you meet Cooper Thomson, his positive attitude, willingness to help and genuine love for the game is infectious. 

His work extends far beyond the routine maintenance of your day-to-day groundsman. In fact, his work is recognised in the major role he has played in maintaining and improving what many consider one of the country’s premier baseball playing surfaces. From home run fence padding, to equipment upgrades and field refurbishments, he creates an environment for our players to shine. 

Perhaps what he is most well known for though is the way he simply brings people together. A fitting winner of this year’s Volunteer of the Year. 

Brad Dutton – Hall of Fame 2026

Long before Brad Dutton pulled on a Queensland jersey, he was standing on the other side of the diamond – watching his idols wear it.

What followed is a career spanning more than 40 years and counting. One where he wrote himself into the history books and inspired a new generation of baller.

When Brad received the news, he knew exactly who he wanted to call.

“I called my old man and we shared a couple of tears,” he admits.

It was a fitting moment for a journey that began with a young boy carrying bats for his Queensland heroes and dreaming of one day joining them on the field.

“It’s just a great feeling to know that besides your own bubble, other people saw what you did for the game.”

David Sutherland – Hall of Fame 2026

At five years old, David Sutherland didn’t know where this sport could take him.

He just wanted to play baseball.

From waiting eagerly to get to his games as a kid, to hall of famer – throughout Goofy’s illustrious career, he has never lost sight of the simple joy of baseball.

That simple love of the game would eventually become a career spanning the highest levels of Queensland and Australian baseball.

A legacy of international friendships – distinguished service award

Danny and Seiko Maruyama’s contribution to baseball in Queensland spans more than four decades. Their contribution has enriched the experience of generations of Queensland athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers. 

While the individual achievements and contributions this pair have made are significant, it is the combined driving force and advocation for international cultural exchange that has forged a rich friendship between Queensland and Japan’s baseball communities. 

Hundreds of Queensland and Japanese players have benefitted through these international exchanges, enriching the community on and off the diamond. 

Their contribution demonstrates the power of sport to build friendships that transcend borders, create educational opportunities and strengthen cultural understanding. 

Surfers paradise’s scoring royalty – distinguished service award

Connie Stoyakovich and Bette Holland’s friendship is forged in the detail, of long games in the surfers paradise scorers box, barely missing a game. Since the mid 1990s, the pair have been integral to the foundations of the club, leaving a legacy of high quality scoring and attention to detail through the mentoring of generations of scorers. 

Their commitment and contribution to the game of baseball extends beyond counting balls and strikes and number crunching. Bette was known to run the tasty canteen while keeping a tight ship as club secretary. Connie’s scoring game saw her travel the world with a number of Australian sides, even finding herself in a scoring team at an MLB game. 

Today, if you find yourself lucky enough to score down at Surfers Paradise, you’ll do so within the Bette Holland and Connie Stoyakovic Scorers Box.

State Program MVP

This years State Program Team MVP is one of the most dominant players in the Australian Women’s Championships. This year she collected 11 hits across 8 games, with a batting average of 524. She was the 2023 Australian Youth Women’s MVP, leading Queensland to gold that year before stepping into senior level in 2024. There she co-led the entire tournament in hits, batted an extraordinary .536, and helped deliver Queensland’s first medal since 2016. She followed it up with equally strong tournaments in 2025 and 2026.

In July this year – still just 18 years old, she pulled on the green and gold for Australia in the Emeralds team at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Rockford, Illinois. Her performance was immense, crushing a game-tying two-run homer in the first inning of the wildest game of the World Cup against Canada, and she then tied the game again with two outs in the seventh.

Molly became Queensland’s first and only Women’s Professional Baseball League signing, drafted in the third round by the Boston Hunters – and she took to the outfield with pride in the game’s professional level.

But ask anyone in the Queensland program what makes Molly different, and the answer isn’t just in the stats. In coach Lisa Norrie’s words: “She’s not just focused on her own success; she genuinely cares about the growth and success of everyone around her.” Despite her talent, Molly is always first to credit her teammates.

Her message to the next generation of girls picking up a glove is simple: don’t let anyone tell you no.

U16 State award winners

Hitter of the Year: Thomas White

Pitcher of the Year: Tyler Wilson

Culture Award: Archer Petersen

MVP: Buzz Mecham

U18 State award winners

Hitter of the Year: Lachlan Pawsey

Pitcher of the Year: Reiss McDermott

Culture award: Cody Harrison

MVP: Lachlan Pawsey

Women’s State award winners

Hitter of the Year: Riordan Bradley

Pitcher of the Year: Hannah Wilson

Culture award: Jessica Sullivan

MVP: Riordan Bradley

Youth women’s State award winners

Hitter of the Year: Anouk Newbury

Fielder of the Year: Hannah Fior

Culture award: Lucy Plumb

MVP: Kayla Sparks

Futures League 2026 has officially wrapped up following five weeks of competition, development and opportunity for more than 300 athletes across 25 teams and multiple age groups. 

The 2026 edition of the Futures League was the biggest in the competition’s history, providing an expanded platform for players to compete, develop their skills and experience playing alongside and against athletes they would not normally encounter during their regular season.

While, as with any large-scale sporting program, there are always operational challenges and opportunities to improve, the five-week competition can be regarded as a significant success overall.

One of the key highlights of this year’s competition was the sheer scale of participation. With 25 teams and more than 300 players taking part across all age groups, Futures League 2026 provided an important opportunity for athletes to step outside their usual competition environment and test themselves against new opposition.

The format allowed players to experience different styles of play, build new relationships and develop greater confidence both individually and as members of a team. For many participants, the opportunity to play alongside athletes from different clubs and compete against unfamiliar opponents was an important part of their overall development.

Importantly, the competition remained focused on its core purpose — player development rather than results.

The Futures League was played in the right spirit throughout the five weeks, with an emphasis on learning, development, teamwork and creating positive sporting experiences. Rather than being driven by league positions or results, the competition encouraged players to take risks, learn from their experiences and continue developing their skills in a competitive but supportive environment.

The weather also played its part, with favourable conditions throughout the five-week program and no matches lost to rain, allowing the competition to proceed as scheduled.

The successful delivery of an event of this size would not have been possible without the significant contribution of the many volunteers who gave their time throughout the competition.

More than 30 coaches volunteered their time, providing guidance, support and encouragement to players across the different age groups. Their commitment to creating a positive development environment was a major contributor to the success of the program.

A special thank you also goes to all of the scorers and other volunteers who assisted throughout the competition. Their contribution behind the scenes helped ensure matches could be conducted efficiently and provided the support necessary to keep the program running each week.

Special recognition must also go to the Futures League Committee for the considerable work undertaken before and throughout the competition. Planning and delivering a program of this size and multiple locations requires a significant level of coordination, organisation and commitment.

Particular thanks are extended to Taylor Devine and Leigh Druery, who were regularly on location across the different venues throughout the competition. Their hands-on involvement and willingness to assist wherever required played an important role in ensuring the event ran smoothly and that issues could be addressed as they arose.

Futures League 2026 has demonstrated the value of providing athletes with additional opportunities to compete in a development-focused environment. The growth of the competition is a positive indication of the demand for programs that give young players the opportunity to challenge themselves, experience new environments and continue developing both on and off the field.

With the 2026 competition now complete, the focus will turn to reviewing the program, identifying areas for improvement and building on the successes of this year’s event.

Futures League 2026 has been the biggest edition yet, and its success is a reflection of the commitment of the players, coaches, volunteers, officials, committee members and everyone involved in making the five-week program possible.

The Futures League looks forward to continuing to grow and provide meaningful development opportunities for athletes in future years.

– Jordan Ballard, Futures League Junior Co-ordinator

At five years old, David Sutherland didn’t know where this sport could take him.

He just wanted to play baseball.

His older brother had started playing T-ball with school friends at Mitchelton, now Pine Hills Baseball Club, and David went along to watch.

He wasn’t quite old enough to play, but he knew immediately that he wanted to be part of it.

The following year, he got his chance.

“They let me play and I was just hooked from the start,” David said.

From then on, baseball became the thing David couldn’t wait for.

The time between school finishing on a Friday and the play ball call at his weekly game seemed like an eternity.

“I do remember sitting there waiting in my uniform and stuff from the time school finished to when the games were at like 6:00 that night.”

While his two brothers eventually stopped playing as juniors, David kept going. He wanted to play the next season, and then the next one, and the one after that.

“I just wanted to play and I loved it.”

That simple love of the game would eventually become a career spanning the highest levels of Queensland and Australian baseball — and now, more than three decades after that five-year-old first stepped onto the diamond, it has taken David all the way to the Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame.

Long before Brad Dutton pulled on a Queensland jersey, he was standing on the other side of the diamond – watching his idols wear it.

As the son of Queensland Under 18 coach Peter Dutton, Brad grew up around the baseball field living out many kids dream – of being bat boy for the players he considered his heroes.

“It was awesome,” Brad said.

“I just couldn’t wait to put on that uniform.”

Those Queensland players left an impression on young Brad, who started playing at the age of 5.

They were the athletes he looked up to, the players he watched endlessly and eventually playing like them became his ultimate goal.

Then, in under 14s the moment finally came.

Brad pulled on the Queensland jersey for the first time – and from there, he never looked back.

What followed was a remarkable 20-year representative career, spanning 1994 to 2014 that would take Dutton around the world.

While more than handy with the bat, it was Brad’s impeccable fielding that he prided himself on.

Brad didn’t simply want to be a good fielder. Elite defence was his mantra – something he worked at relentlessly.

Every day of his career, he pushed himself to be better with the glove.

It was a craft that demanded preparation, repetition of the basics and an unwavering commitment to getting the little things right.

That work ethic translated into performances that set him apart.

Performances like the 2006 Claxton Shield, when Brad helped lead the Queensland Rams to an undefeated championship victory.

He played every game in its entirety. But that’s not the bit that sticks.

Brad provided an errorless defence at shortstop, all while leading the league in batting average, hits, total bases and slugging average.

It was a performance that perfectly captured the type of player he had worked so hard to become – reliable, composed and elite defensively, while capable of making a major impact offensively too.

It didn’t matter what jersey Brad wore or who he played for, he always played the game the same way.

“I gave it everything,” he said.

“It didn’t matter who I was playing against. It could have been my best friend, but if he was standing at second base and I had to slide into him I would.”

“Baseball is a confidence game,” Brad said.

As a player and coach at Pine River Rapids to this day, it is a message that he passes on to those he coaches.

“It’s such a mental game, you must be so mentally strong.

“It’s okay to fail, so long as you fail aggressively and learn from it.”

A lesson he admits, he learnt much later in his career.

He played college ball, competed semi-professionally and represented Australia, experiencing opportunities that many young players could only dream of.

Yet for Dutton, there was nothing like coming home.

“Playing in front of friends and family,” he said.

“The state was just what I loved and nothing else compared.”

When the Australian Baseball League returned in its new format, Brad was at the forefront of the Brisbane Bandits campaign.

The team may have taken its time to establish but for Brad it was the atmosphere and energy of the home crowd, paired with sharing the stage with Queensland’s newest rising stars.

Brad admits that the first few seasons were tough but by this point his career had taken on a completely different role.

“The experience that the young kids got in those first few years with us oldies around I think really helped them mature and become the players they are today.”

That love for Queensland baseball has remained at the heart of Brad’s story.

“It’s been a hell of a journey. I’ve travelled everywhere in the world playing the game that I love and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

And now, decades after first watching his Queensland heroes from the sidelines, Brad has received one of the highest honours in the sport, being inducted into the Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame.

It’s a moment made even more special by the fact that his father, Peter, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001 – 25 years earlier.

When Brad received the news, he knew exactly who he wanted to call.

“I called my old man and we shared a couple of tears,” he admits.

It was a fitting moment for a journey that began with a young boy carrying bats for his Queensland heroes and dreaming of one day joining them on the field.

“It means a lot to know that past players, coaches, officials, the whole voting panel respect how you contributed to the game and how they saw you as a player,” Brad said.

“It’s just a great feeling to know that besides your own bubble, other people saw what you did for the game.”

He built a career around making himself the best fielder he could be.

He travelled the world playing the game he loved.

And he never looked back…. Until now.

Now, taking a trip back through memory lane, Brad Dutton takes his place next to his father and amongst Queensland baseball’s greats in the Hall of Fame.