Baseball Queensland (BQ) is committed to improving the health and safety of its community and is excited to announce a new initiative to equip all clubs with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). This decision follows a comprehensive review and a health and safety survey conducted earlier this year.

Andrea Marshall, Director at Baseball Queensland and Professor at the Griffith School of Nursing and Midwifery, highlighted the importance of having AEDs available at club venues. She advised the BQ Board that “cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death for people under the age of 50 in Australia. For those who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, the survival rate is less than 1 in 10. However, when effective CPR and defibrillation are administered within 3-5 minutes, survival rates can soar from 6% to 74%.”

Professor Marshall went on to identify “An AED is portable and simple to use, even for individuals without medical training. The device delivers an electric shock to the heart via two pads, helping to ‘restart’ the heart’s normal electrical activity. CPR, on the other hand, helps maintain blood and oxygen flow, limiting damage to vital organs.”

To ensure every club has access to this life-saving technology, the Baseball Queensland Board of Management has resolved to provide AEDs free of charge to clubs that currently do not have one. The chosen model requires minimal maintenance and comes with an eight-year warranty. Clubs that already have an AED will receive a $1,000 voucher for use at First Aid Kits Australia, which can be used for purchasing first aid supplies or providing first aid and resuscitation training for volunteers.

Baseball Queensland makes this considerable investment in the expectation that all clubs will maintain these AEDs and ensure they are available at their venues at all times. This initiative is a critical step toward protecting the health and safety of everyone involved in the Queensland baseball community. This significant reinvestment into the community is made possible by the ongoing support of the community for Baseball Queensland programs and competitions.

Delivery of these devices and vouchers will commence in the coming weeks.

The Australian Resuscitation Council have produced this short video to provide insight to the ease of use of the AED devices.

Baseball Queensland would like to extend a sincere thank you to Brendan Vassallo for his service as Finance Director on the Board of Management. During his tenure, Brendan played an instrumental role in fortifying Baseball Queensland’s financial health, leaving the organisation in a strong position to support the growth of the sport across the state.

Brendan’s commitment to the development of baseball, particularly at the entry level, has been invaluable. He has been a champion of initiatives that make our sport accessible to all. His work to budget for the provision of participation kits for new entry level players exemplifies his dedication to creating opportunities for young people to engage with baseball.

Though Brendan steps down from his official role on the Board, he remains a passionate advocate and supporter of our sport. Brendan will also continue in his volunteer role as the Executive Officer of the U16 Queensland team for the 2025 Australian Youth Championships.

On behalf of the entire Baseball Queensland community, we extend our sincere gratitude for his dedication, vision, and positive impact. We look forward to his continued support as we work together to grow baseball in Queensland.

Baseball Queensland invites regions and clubs to express their interest in hosting the Queensland State Titles events across 2025 and 2026. These tournaments provide an invaluable opportunity for coaches, players, and officials to further develop their skills and gain experience, showcase their abilities, and proudly represent their communities. Beyond showcasing talent, these events embody baseball’s core values—fun, teamwork, friendships, and inclusive diversity—making them a celebrated highlight for communities throughout Queensland.

Hosting one or more Queensland State Titles offers clubs the chance to welcome players, families, and supporters from across the state, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement, on site vendors, interactive displays, camaraderie and some of Queensland’s best baseball talent. It’s an opportunity for your club to demonstrate its commitment to the sport, bring people together, and foster a spirit of teamwork that extends beyond the field.

In addition to creating lasting memories, hosting events will strengthen your club’s connection to the broader baseball network, enhancing its role in the sport’s growth and visibility across Queensland.

Regions and clubs interested in hosting one or more of these State Titles are encouraged to submit their expression of interest through the online form HERE . EOIs close Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at 5.00pm.

Download the Tournament Hosting Criteria Document

QLD State Titles Host Venues 2025 – 2026

Big League 

2025:  Saturday, 5 April 2025 to Sunday, 6 April 2025

2026:  Saturday, 11 April 2026 to Sunday, 12 April 2026

Little League, Intermediate League, Junior League and Senior League Division 1 

2025:  Thursday, 10 April 2025 to Sunday, 13 April 2025

2026:  Thursday, 16 April 2026 to Sunday, 19 April 2026

Little League, Junior League and Senior League Division 2 & 3 

2025: Friday 11 April 2025 to Sunday, 13 April 2025

2026: Friday, 17 April 2026 to Sunday, 19 April 2026

Open Women’s State Titles

2025:  Friday, 12 December 2025 to Sunday, 14 December 2025

2026:  Friday, 11 December 2026 to Sunday, 13 December 2026

Youth Women’s and Little League Girls

(Likely introduction of new Youth Women Division 2, to be endorsed) 

2025:  Monday, 15 December 2025 to Wednesday, 17 December 2025

2026:  Monday, 14 December 2026 to Wednesday, 16 December 2026

 Masters

2025:  Thursday, 24 April 2025 to Sunday, 27 April 2025

2026:  Thursday, 23 April 2026 to Sunday, 26 April 2026

• Childcare Centre Programs: Introducing young children to baseball in a safe and fun environment. 
• Girls’ Pre-season T-Ball Carnivals: Organising region-specific carnivals to give young female players their first experience of baseball and creating more opportunities to play.
• After School Sports Programs: Bringing baseball to school settings to engage female youth in a social and structured environment.
• Female-specific Skills Clinics: Providing development clinics to help female athletes build both playing and officiating skills.
• Come and Try Events: Hosting region-specific events to engage females of all ages, connecting them with local baseball clubs and giving them a chance to try the sport.
• Support for Women’s Leagues: Expanding women’s competitions across Queensland, celebrating and fostering female involvement.
• Building Female Pathways: Establishing clear pathways for females from grassroots to competitive play, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment at every stage.

“We are honoured to receive the Play Our Way grant, which will be transformative for the future of women’s baseball in Queensland,” said Sam Cawdron, Baseball Queensland’s Game Development Manager. “This funding allows us to further our work in creating inclusive, quality programs that inspire women and girls to be a part of our baseball community for life.”

The 2024 Emerging Athlete Program (EAP) has been an exciting journey, bringing together 191 participants and 42 coaches across 7 locations throughout Queensland.

This year, we focused on creating an athlete-centred environment, listening to feedback, and enhancing the experience for everyone involved.

The EAP expanded its focus by evolving from foundational baseball movements into high-repetition, game-paced drills. This progression allowed athletes to build on their skills in dynamic, real-world scenarios. Shifting from skill development to game-speed execution ensured that participants were prepared to transition smoothly to higher levels of competition with enhanced technique and decision-making abilities. This approach provided a more comprehensive training environment, effectively bridging the gap between drills and on-field performance.

Reflecting on the program, Player Development Coordinator Nick Bachono shared: “I’m incredibly proud of the program we delivered this year. We’ve set the foundations for athletes to launch into their GBL season. Our coordinators, dedicated coaches, and guest instructors did an amazing job.”

In the Youth Women’s Program, Noel Tate led the way, creating an environment where female athletes could grow, develop, and feel supported. His approach to athlete-focused training helped foster confidence and skill development.

As we look ahead, North Queensland —stay tuned! We’ve listened to your feedback and are excited to roll out an updated version of our 2025 program. Exciting changes are coming to better meet your needs.

A Special Thanks to Our Coordinators, Coaches, and Guest Instructors:

Coordinators and Coaches: Bret Buckland, Ryan Manfield, David West, Eli Jones, Lee Gaskell, Nick Potter, Shaun O’brien, Luca Rostagno, Matt Watson, Cooper Thomson, Rory Spletter, Jordon Thomson, Aaron Applifield, Kai Pethic, Lyndsey Campbell, Scott McLean, Jordan Ballard, Marty Waters, Daniel Turner, Cody Harrison, Noel Tate, Sam Sullivan, Emma Tate, Neal Ragau, Holly Moellers, Jess Sullivan, Nick Potter, David Paddison, Anthony VanFleet, Daniel White, Peter Riggs, Luke Ardill.

Guest HP Coaches: Alex Skepton, Liam Mac, Scott Porter, Molly Paddison, Jordon Thomson, Luke Smith, Lisa Norrie.

The Emerging Athlete Program has set a strong foundation for the future, and we can’t wait to see how our athletes continue to grow and succeed on and off the field

The 2024 EU14 and U14 Futures League saw and increase in numbers again this year with just over 100 players participating in 8 teams across the two competitions. The EU14 again providing a great platform for first time U14 players to get some experience before the regular season and allowed them an opportunity to test themselves on a bigger field and adjust to additional rules that are not played in Little League. The U14 games provided a high standard of play and a great warmup for the players, allowing them to dust off the cobwebs from time off and should hit the ground running for the regular club season.

– Ben Trotter, U14FL Coordinator

U16 & U18

The 2024 U16 and U18 Futures League programs continued to go from strength to strength with more than 140 players participating in 11 teams across three competitions, including a new U16 Emerging competition. The U18s games provided a high standard of play and a great warmup for the players who went to the United States with the Australian U16 and U18 national squads. This term three development program also served as a valuable observation opportunity for the U16 and U18 Baseball Queensland coaching staffs ahead of the BQ Showcase series and eventual team selections. 

– Jim Strachan, U16 & U18 Coordinator

Women’s

Year 3 of the Women’s Futures League saw great progress, with three well-matched teams delivering competitive games throughout the season. The players embraced the debut of the new pinstriped jerseys, adding to the league’s evolving identity. Looking ahead to Year 4, we are confident the league will continue to grow, building on its strong foundation and increasing momentum. We extend our sincere appreciation to the supporters, scorers, umpires, players, and hosting clubs for their ongoing dedication. We look forward to what WFL24 will bring as we continue to elevate women’s baseball in Queensland. 

– John Pickford, WFL Coordinator