2025 Queensland Masters Registrations Now Open

2025 Queensland Masters Registrations Now Open

Registrations for the 2025 Queensland Masters tournament are now open!

Players aged 35 years and above, with female players from 25 years and beyond eligible to participate, have the opportunity to join one of three divisions: Division 1, Division 2, and Women’s. This structured approach ensures that players of all ages and genders can find a suitable competitive environment tailored to their skill level and preferences. Female players are particularly encouraged to select from any of these divisions, fostering an inclusive and diverse playing field where everyone can showcase their talents and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the tournament.

The tournament, spanning over four days between the 24th and 27th of April, with a delayed 12pm commencement in respect of ANZAC Day, offering ample opportunities for players to engage in baseball action. Anyone is welcome to submit a team, there is no requirement to be affiliated with a Queensland Club or Region.

Team managers can easily register their teams via the provided link, and upon registration, will receive a unique team code to send out to their players.
Players are able to register using the below form once they receive the team code from their manager.

Team Registration fee: $250.47

Player Registration fee: $136.62

Dates: 24 – 27 April

Venue: Surfers Paradise Baseball Club and Robina Braves Baseball Club

Once team registrations have concluded, the draw and further event and venue information will be available on the 2025 Queensland Masters event page linked below.

Office Closure Notice

Office Closure Notice

Due to damage at Sports House caused by Ex-Cyclone Alfred, the Baseball Queensland office will be closed until further notice. We are assessing the situation and will provide updates as they become available.

For any urgent matters, please email: [email protected].

for admin and general enquiries
Contact ceo

GARETH JONES | CEO

E: [email protected]  M: 0404 820 703

contact PERFORMANCE PROGRAM | PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

NICK BACHONO  |  PERFORMANCE PROGRAM MANAGER (INTERIM) & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

E: [email protected]  M:  0401 882 497

contact GAME DEVELOPMENT

SAM CAWDRON | GAME DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
E: [email protected]  M: 0405 443 530
 

DANE STEINKE | GAME DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (WOMEN & GIRLS)
E:  [email protected]  M: 0419 730 569

 

LUKE ARDILL | GAME DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (TOWNSVILLE)[email protected]

MILA BENDER | GAME DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (CAIRNS): [email protected]

contact BASEBALL5

JOE SURRENTINO | BASEBALL5 (B5) COORDINATOR

E: [email protected]  M: 0405 477 145

contact CLUB SUPPORT

NICK WYLLIE | CLUB SUPPORT COORDINATOR

E: [email protected] 

contact MEDIA

AKANE HATAI | DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

E: [email protected] 

Wrapping Up the Kobe Koryo – Queensland Friendship Series

Wrapping Up the Kobe Koryo – Queensland Friendship Series

Baseball Queensland was honoured to host Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School for the Kobe Koryo – Queensland Friendship Series, reinforcing the strong ties between Japan and Australia through the shared love of baseball.

The series provided a valuable opportunity for our Queensland Women’s Baseball program to compete at a high level, testing their skills against an international opponent while fostering meaningful connections beyond the game. The competition showcased the talent, discipline, and sportsmanship of both teams, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in athlete development.

Reflecting on the series, Baseball Queensland CEO Gareth Jones shared:
“What an incredible visit from Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School. Their games against our Queensland Women’s Baseball program were a fantastic showcase of international competition, strengthening the bonds between our teams and providing a high-quality experience for all involved. It was a privilege to host them and witness the spirit of the game in action.”

The exchange was equally impactful for the Kobe Koryo team, as expressed by Satomi Yamasaki, Teacher and Female Baseball Program Coordinator at Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School,  “All students and the teachers say that this exchange program is really good for all of us. Most of the players say that they want to go back to Australia as soon as possible. Even now, in school when I meet the players who went to Queensland, they say ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning’ in English to me, which is very good.”

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Redlands Rays Baseball Club and Mudgeeraba Red Sox Baseball Clubs for their exceptional hospitality and support throughout this series. Your contributions in hosting the games and creating a welcoming atmosphere were key to the success of the event, and we greatly appreciate your involvement.  We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Danny Maruyama, Andy Utting, and Nick Bachono. Danny played a crucial role in organising the exchange and had the honour of throwing the first pitch at the second game, adding a special touch to the occasion. Andy Utting, 2004 Athens Olympic silver medallist and Baseball Queensland Board Member, delivered a thoughtful closing speech, highlighting the importance of international competition and the connections formed during this exchange. Nick Bachono, Interim Performance Program Manager, worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly, providing vital support and ensuring a high-quality experience for both teams.

Following the games, the host clubs organised classic Aussie-style bbq dinners, providing a relaxed setting where many new international friendships began to flourish. Conversations flowed between the teams, from discussing the games to attempting to communicate in both English and Japanese. Despite the age difference – with the Japanese team being high school students and the Queensland team ranging in age – there was a shared excitement and plenty of smiling faces. It was a heartwarming reminder of the power of sport to bring people together, no matter the language, background, or age.

The Kobe Koryo – Queensland Friendship Series was about much more than just baseball—it was a celebration of connection and cultural exchange. This exchange provided players with the opportunity to forge lasting friendships, experience a new culture, and pave the way for future international games between Queensland and Japan. While we were honoured to host Kobe Koryo here in Queensland, we’re equally excited to build on this partnership by taking our Queensland Women’s team abroad for future competitions. We look forward to the chance to play on their turf—or rather, their dirt infield, which adds a unique touch to the baseball experience in Japan. The relationships formed on and off the field during this series are just the beginning, and we are excited for the next chapter of this growing international collaboration.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

– Story by Connie Rowe

Isn’t That a Boy’s Sport?

“Oh, you mean softball?”

If you’re a female baseballer, you’ve probably heard these comments more times than you can count. But over the years, tides have shifted. Women’s sport is breaking barriers, with cricket, soccer, rugby, and AFL leading the charge on national broadcasts. Yet, for sports like baseball, the battle against bias is still very real.

And yet, if you look through Baseball Queensland’s history, you’ll find incredible women—pioneers who paved the way, not for recognition, but for the love of the game. Little did they know that their passion would change the lives of young girls and women across our state.

For me, one of the greatest things about the ballpark is the camaraderie and competition. Once you step onto the diamond, everything else fades away—including gender. Out there, we are all ballplayers, united by the jerseys on our backs.

But it’s more than that. Because while we play, a whole spectrum of eyes are watching—fans, family, scouts, coaches, and most importantly, young girls and boys, hanging on every pitch and every swing.

There’s no feeling like when a young player comes up to you and asks, “How do I play for Queensland like you?” or “Can you show me how to do that?”

In less than a decade, women’s baseball in Queensland has more than doubled. From just four teams in the first Greater Brisbane Women’s League to 23 teams across three divisions, the game is thriving. In North Queensland, dedicated women’s teams in Cairns and Townsville are proving their place by competing in men’s competitions.

With such interest across the game, knowing and being able to see a pathway to continue through the game as far as you want to take it has been instrumental, with role models showing what can be done across all levels of the game, both on and off the field. From coaches to tournament directors, umpires, administrators, players, volunteers, parents, and supporters, women are taking this great game to the next level.

At Baseball Queensland, we couldn’t be more proud to be part of the movement towards equality, and we know our work doesn’t stop here. With dedicated grants and positions focused specifically on the challenges the women’s game faces, we are excited to embrace the legacy that has gotten us to this point and continue pushing the boundaries.

But at the end of the day, what really matters? The smile on that young girl’s face. The confidence she will gain, and the lifetime friendships, life skills, and memories she will make along the way.

What we do today, we do for them.

About the Author

This article was written by Connie Rowe, a passionate advocate for women’s baseball in Queensland.

“Baseball gave me a community and an outlet when I moved to Townsville. Took me a few years to find it, but once I did, never looked back. It’s full of incredible people who all bring their own unique stories and come for their own reasons, but together we are the most unlikely bunch of misfit mates you could possibly find.  My greatest achievement? Playing side by side with my sister. She is my hero.”

Connie is currently playing for the Townsville Taipans, has represented Queensland (2022-24), and competed at State Titles since 2020. For Connie, baseball is more than just a sport—it’s a community that has given her lifelong friendships and opportunities.

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

– Story by Connie Rowe (BQ Media Volunteer)

Meet Cairns’ New Game Development Officer: mila bender

Mila Bender was just five years old when she first encountered baseball at a school clinic. From that moment, she was hooked. Now, 15 years later, she’s stepping into the role of Baseball Queensland’s Cairns Game Development Officer, ready to introduce the next generation to the sport that shaped her life. 

The simple joy of hitting off a tee and playing catch in the schoolyard left a lasting impact. Mila and her sister, eager for more, convinced their dad to take them to a local come-and-try day—unaware of the family connection they were about to rediscover. “He never told us at first,” Mila says, recalling how her dad quietly encouraged them to play. “He wanted it to be our decision.”

It wasn’t just a new sport for Mila and her sister—it was a homecoming for their dad, who had played growing up. That year, Baseball Cairns gained not just one player but an entire family. “Every weekend became truly special,” she says. “Getting to play alongside my sister and dad was incredible.” The game quickly became a cornerstone of their family time, strengthening their bond on and off the field.

But baseball gave Mila more than just family memories—it shaped her into who she is today. “Through baseball, I’ve developed lifelong friendships, travelled, and grown in confidence,” she says. “It’s made me who I am.” She describes the Cairns baseball community as a hidden gem. “Not many people know it exists, but once they discover it, there’s hardly any turning back. The foundations laid by dedicated players here show just how much love there is for the game.”

Now, as Cairns’ Game Development Officer, Mila is eager to pass that love along. “Grassroots sport creates opportunities—for skill development, travel, friendships, and personal growth,” she says. “In regional areas like Cairns, the potential is limitless.” She’s excited to meet new young players and hopes to be part of someone else’s journey in falling in love with the game.

Free Baseball Clinics & Cairns Information Night

After an incredible week of clinics in Townsville, we’re heading to Cairns next week, and there are still a few spots available! Open to Prep–Year 6, these free Aussie T-Ball and Baseball5 clinics will be run by accredited coaches, giving kids across North Queensland a chance to experience baseball in a fun and exciting way.  Book your School now: https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/nq-schools-2025/

We’re also hosting a Cairns Baseball Information Night on March 11 at Trinity Beach (6:30-7:30 PM). This session will bring together clubs, coaches, and members to discuss Baseball Queensland’s plans for the region, club funding opportunities, new development programs, and an exclusive first look at BQ’s new mobile app. Meet the Game Development Team, learn about Buddy League, Baseball5, and Women & Girls initiatives, and find out how clubs can get involved in growing the game.

For more information, visit: BQ Info Night (Cairns)

Cyclone Alfred Preparations in SEQ

Cyclone Alfred Preparations in SEQ

Cyclone Alfred poses potential threats to safety and property between the Fraser Coast in Queensland and Grafton in NSW. Please note the Baseball Queensland office will be closed through Friday 7/3. We have cancelled planned program delivery within the areas subject to weather warnings related to Cyclone Alfred, for example State team practice sessions planned through Wednesday 5/3 to Friday 7/3 have been cancelled.  

Clubs are also reminded to also be aware that our all of sport insurance policy may be of assistance and includes property, contents and equipment insurance. You can read more about our insurance and lodge a claim at: https://www.ajg.com/au/insurance/sports-insurance/baseball-australia/

Please also find below further details on support available and the following list of recommendations:

  • Prior to anticipated arrival of the weather event, secure any loose items at your facility such as rakes, screens, tarps, bins, shade structures and field maintenance equipment.
  • Consider sandbag measures for low areas likely to subject your buildings like your clubhouse to flooding.
  • Keep your clubhouse (and any other structures) closed until it has been safely assessed for structural damage.
  • Refer to the ClubIQ recovery resources for practical tips when it’s safe to begin assessing and cleaning up your club
  • Reconnect electricity and water only when it is safe to do so and only by licenced operators.
  • Check insurance policies for flood and storm coverage and contact insurers for guidance on the claims process.
  • Take photos of damage to your facilities including tide marks or water heights and equipment to assist with insurance claims and any disaster-related funding submissions.
  • Await inspections by building owners, engineers, or SES if there is significant damage.
  • Wear appropriate PPE during the removal of damaged equipment and surfaces.
  • Clear stormwater drains and remove debris to prevent further issues with rain.
  • Before discarding, document damage to items individually, including images and serial numbers.
  • Keep receipts for clean-up expenses, including materials, PPE, and machinery.

For further advice on how to prepare for the cyclone, the Queensland Government have provided the resources available at this link:

https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/news/tropical-cyclone-alfred-march-2025

Please also find below a list of support links for additional information and support:

Please stay safe and seek appropriate shelter during the cyclone.