Meet Joe: Baseball Queensland’s New Baseball5 Coordinator

Meet Joe: Baseball Queensland’s New Baseball5 Coordinator

Baseball Queensland is excited to announce the appointment of Joe as our new Baseball5 Coordinator. With a background in game development, junior sport coaching, and a passion for sports innovation, Joe brings a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to the role. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter in the growth and development of Baseball5 in Queensland.

In this Q&A, we sat down with Joe to learn more about his journey, what excites him about Baseball5, and his vision for the future of the sport in Queensland.

Q: Tell us a bit about your background and experience.

I’ve spent nearly ten years in game development, working across multiple organisations, and I’ve coached junior sport for over a decade. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to create and implement new programs, and I’ve always had a passion for sports, both personally and professionally. I’m excited to bring my experience and innovative thinking into the Baseball5 space.

Q: How did you get involved with baseball and Baseball5?

Although my background in baseball and Baseball5 is relatively new, I’ve always been a fan. I have family members who have played the sport, so it’s been a part of my life for a while. Now, I’m looking at it from a development perspective with fresh eyes, and I’m excited about the potential I see in Baseball5.

Q: What excites you most about Baseball5?

What excites me most is the endless possibilities Baseball5 brings to the sporting landscape. It’s a fast-paced, urban version of baseball that’s perfect for various environments, and it’s easy to see how it can engage a wide range of people. The chance to collaborate with like-minded people to create something special really motivates me.

Q: What are your goals for growing Baseball5 in Queensland?

My main goals are to increase awareness, participation, and community engagement. First, I want to raise awareness by promoting the sport in schools, local sporting clubs, and events. I plan to organise demonstration games to show people how exciting and unique Baseball5 is. I’m also focusing on increasing youth participation by partnering with schools and youth organisations to introduce Baseball5 through workshops and after-school programs. I want to ensure the sport is accessible and fun for kids.  Another goal is to develop coaching resources so we have skilled leaders who can nurture talent and create positive experiences.  Lastly, I’m focused on inclusivity. By creating a welcoming environment, I hope to ensure that Baseball5 becomes a sport that everyone, regardless of background or ability, can enjoy.

Q: How will you be promoting Baseball5 to the community?

I’m planning to host Come and Try events in popular locations across Queensland. This will give the community a chance to experience how fun, engaging, and inclusive Baseball5 really is. We’ve already got some schools across the city that are embracing Baseball5 and actively promoting it in their areas, which is fantastic.

Q: What’s next for Baseball5?

We just wrapped up the Baseball5 World Cup in Hong Kong, and it was exciting to see Australia compete for the first time. Now, we’re looking ahead to the 2025 World Cup in Mexico City. I encourage everyone to keep an eye on our social media and website for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.

Q: Any final thoughts or messages for the community?

I want to say thank you to everyone I’ve met so far for welcoming me into the community with open arms. I’m really excited to work together to make Baseball5 a key part of Queensland’s sporting landscape. This is just the beginning, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Joe to our Game Development team as we invest in Baseball5 and its exciting potential. Joe’s passion for Baseball5 is a game-changer for us as we look to expand the reach of baseball across Queensland. Baseball5 offers a fresh, fast-paced, and inclusive way to engage new communities and introduce the fundamentals of our sport. We’re confident we can grow the sport in Queensland and unlock a new generation of baseball enthusiasts.” – Sam Cawdron, Game Development Manager

We’re thrilled to have Joe on board and can’t wait to see the growth of Baseball5 in Queensland. Welcome, Joe! ⚾

Queensland to Host Team New Zealand Ahead of U18 Oceania Qualifiers

Queensland to Host Team New Zealand Ahead of U18 Oceania Qualifiers

Queensland is set to host Team New Zealand as they prepare for the WBSC U18 World Cup Oceania Qualifiers with two friendly yet competitive games against Queensland’s U18 team. This is a unique opportunity to experience international baseball action in Queensland and support rising talent as they gear up for major tournaments.
 
Team New Zealand’s tour begins with a four-day Gold Coast training camp before taking on Queensland’s U18 team:
 
Wednesday, 27 November 2024 
Venue: All Stars Baseball Club, Gerler Rd, Hendra  Game Time: 7.00pm 
 

Thursday, 28 November 2024
Venue: Beenleigh Baseball Club, Hammel St, Beenleigh  Game Time: 7.00pm 

 
For Queensland’s U18 team, these games are more than just a friendly rivalry—they are a valuable chance to measure themselves against international competition and build momentum for the upcoming season. The matches will help the team prepare for the 2025 U-18 Australian Youth Championships (U18 AYC) in January, where they’ll compete for national honours. Facing a skilled and seasoned team like New Zealand will offer crucial experience for the players as they work toward higher levels of the game.
 
For both Team New Zealand and Queensland players representing Team Australia, these games also serve as key preparation for the WBSC Oceania Qualification Series in Sydney from 5–8 December. The winner of that series will earn a place in the 2025 U18 World Cup in Japan.
 
These matches go beyond the players—they’re an opportunity for the Queensland baseball community to come together. Whether you’re cheering for Queensland or backing New Zealand, this is your chance to support talented athletes, enjoy thrilling international competition, and celebrate baseball right here in your community.
Registration is Now Open for Friendship Players in the 2024 Women’s, Youth Women’s, and Girls’ State Titles

Registration is Now Open for Friendship Players in the 2024 Women’s, Youth Women’s, and Girls’ State Titles

Baseball Queensland is delighted to announce that registration is now open for individuals interested in participating as Friendship Players in the 2024 Women’s, Youth Women’s, and Girls’ State Titles scheduled for December.

Friendship Players are individuals who want to participate in these important events but do not currently have a team to join. This registration opportunity allows these players to express their interest and potentially be matched with existing teams, promoting diversity within the sport.

Being a Friendship Player can offer significant benefits, both to the individual players and the teams. For individuals, it’s an opportunity to showcase their skills and be a part of the fun and inclusive atmosphere that these state titles offer. For teams, it’s a chance to fill roster gaps and strengthen their line-up with capable players, making it a game for all.

This initiative not only promotes individual skill development but also fosters camaraderie within the baseball community, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the sport. It’s an excellent opportunity for players to connect with fellow enthusiasts, regardless of their background, and share their passion for the game.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a part of the 2024 Women, Youth Women, and Girls’ State Titles, where the emphasis is on making it a game for all.

For more information and registration details, please visit Friendship Player RegistrationNominations close 15th November 2024.

Women’s Division 1 State Titles
Dates: 13-15 December 2024
Location: Narangba Demons Baseball Club

Women’s Division 2 State Titles
Dates: 13-15 December 2024
Location: Indians Baseball Club, Runcorn

Youth Women’s State Titles
Dates: 16-18 December 2024
Location: Narangba Demons Baseball Club

Little League Girl’s State Titles
Dates: 16-18 December 2024
Location: Narangba Demons Baseball Club

Tournament Staff EOI for Upcoming Women’s, Youth Women’s & Girls State Titles

Tournament Staff EOI for Upcoming Women’s, Youth Women’s & Girls State Titles

Baseball Queensland is seeking expressions of interest for the roles of Tournament Director, Assistant Tournament Director, Scoring Co-Ordinator, Content Creator for the upcoming Open Women’s, Youth Women’s and Girls’ State Titles.

The event will be held:

Division 1 Women’s
Friday 13th – Sunday 15th December at Narangba Demons Baseball Club

Division 2 Women’s
Friday 13th – Sunday 15th December at Runcorn Indians Baseball Club

Youth Women and Girls
Monday 16th – Wednesday 18th December at Narangba Demons Baseball Club

These roles are essential to ensuring smooth operations and a memorable tournament experience for players, teams, and spectators. We seek candidates with strong organisational abilities, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to supporting the growth of baseball in Queensland.

To express your interest in joining our team for this event, please complete the online EOI form by 20th November.

Join us in delivering a professional and successful tournament that celebrates the talents of Queensland’s women and girls in baseball.

Max Durrington Nominated for 2024 Queensland Sport Junior Athlete of the Year 

Max Durrington Nominated for 2024 Queensland Sport Junior Athlete of the Year 

Baseball Queensland is thrilled to celebrate the nomination of 17-year-old Max Durrington for the Queensland Sport (QSport) Channel 9 Queensland Junior Athlete of the Year award. Max’s extraordinary talent and commitment to the sport are showcased through his recent signing with the Oakland Athletics—one of the largest contracts ever awarded to a young Australian baseball player.

The competition for the Junior Athlete of the Year award will be intense, with ten of Queensland’s best young athletes representing eight different sports, including baseball, tennis, AFL, swimming, hockey, basketball, skateboarding, and athletics.

Max’s journey in baseball has been inspiring, from his early days at Mudgeeraba Red Sox to his success with Surfers Paradise Baseball Club, where he became a team leader both on and off the field.

U18 Queensland Team Manager, David Badke, highlighted Max’s impact: “Max has a combination of talent, leadership, great work ethics, and brings a lot of energy to the team. Leading by example that inspired a team that lead to being awarded the Most Valuable Player. I am not surprised that he signed a professional contract with the Oakland A’s; I look forward to watching Max continuing his development on his professional journey.

Max’s nomination for Junior Athlete of the Year is a well-deserved recognition of his hard work, skill, and the bright future he’s building in baseball. Baseball Queensland couldn’t be prouder and will be cheering for Max as he goes up against Queensland’s best young athletes on November 21.

To read more about Max’s journey, visit: Max Durrington Signs with the Athletics

For more information about QSport Awards, visit: QSport Award Nominees

Baseball Queensland Releases Updated Tournament Tech Norms Ahead of Women’s, Youth Women’s and Girls’ State Titles

Baseball Queensland Releases Updated Tournament Tech Norms Ahead of Women’s, Youth Women’s and Girls’ State Titles

As Baseball Queensland gears up for the highly anticipated Women’s, Youth Women’s and Girls’ State Titles in December, the Baseball Queensland Tournament Advisory Panel has announced the release of updated Tournament Tech Norms. The comprehensive review and subsequent updates ensure player safety and clarity for all participating teams and officials.

One of the key updates in the Tech Norms is the clarification of mandatory rest periods for pitchers. Clarifying that these rest requirements apply across all forms of play and between events, providing additional safeguards for player welfare. Specifically, pitchers accruing mandatory rest periods during one tournament will need to adhere to these rest requirements even if they are participating in another event within the specified rest duration. For example, a pitcher who accumulates a four-day mandatory rest period in the Women’s Tournament must continue observing this rest period if they are set to participate in the Youth Tournament in the days that follow.

Additionally, the latest version of the Tech Norms includes forward-looking rules around eligibility that will come into effect in 2025. These provisions have been detailed in the current edition to ensure all teams and stakeholders are aware well in advance of their implementation.

Baseball Queensland remains committed to player welfare, fair competition, and the ongoing evolution of the sport in Queensland. As we head into the Women’s, Youth Women’s and Girls’ State Titles, all participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated Tech Norms to ensure a smooth and safe tournament experience.

Download the BQ Tournament Tech Norms