News - Baseball Queensland

Futures League Partnership Announcement

Aug 8, 2024

Baseball Queensland is excited to announce that Ready Towing has renewed their partnership with the 2024 Futures League pathway programs.

The Futures League is a level competition that is designed to create pathways into the next level of baseball for aspiring players to play at a higher level whether that be domestic or overseas. Ready Towing has been a great supporter for Baseball in Queensland and providing towing services in the baseball community.

Ready Towing fleet of dedicated services offer towing services for different kinds of vehicles and situations. The fleet of tow trucks in depots located in strategic locations in Brisbane can cater to your towing needs wherever you are at any time. The trucks can help move light or heavy vehicles caught up in accidents. Because we are engaged by major insurance companies, we supply towing services free of charge.

For more information on Futures League, visit: Futures League

Futures League U14’s Kicks Off This Sunday!

Aug 6, 2024

Futures League U14’s Kicks Off This Sunday!

Baseball Queensland is thrilled to announce the start of the Futures League U14’s, commencing this Sunday, 11th August. This exciting five-week competition promises to showcase the talents of our young baseball stars, with games held every Sunday until 8th September.

The Futures League is a term three development opportunity designed to nurture emerging talent across various age groups, from 12 to 30 years old. It complements BQ’s performance pathways by including players from the BQ Athlete Development and Performance Programs, as well as those selected through an open Expression of Interest process. Using modified rules tailored to enhance skill development and strategic understanding, the Futures League provides a focused and supportive environment for growth. Beyond players, the program also offers significant development opportunities for coaches, officials, and scorers, creating an inclusive ecosystem that benefits all aspects of the game.

Game Schedule:

Sunday 11 August 2024
Emerging U14 (EU14) – First round at 9:00am and 11:00am at Pine Hills Baseball Club.
U14’s – First round at 12:30pm and 2:30pm at Western Districts Baseball Club.

This Sunday, the EU14’s will kick off the competition bright and early at Pine Hills, setting the stage for an action-packed day. Following their matches, the U14’s will take the field at West Bulldogs, ensuring a full day of thrilling baseball action. We look forward to seeing the community come together to support these young athletes as they develop their skills and sportsmanship. Mark your calendars, gather your family and friends, and join us for an unforgettable season of Futures League U14’s baseball!

Stay Tuned: More information about the upcoming U16, U18, and Open Women’s competitions will be released soon. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for the latest updates.

Let’s play ball! ⚾🎉

2024 Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame Voting Underway!

Aug 1, 2024

2024 Hall of Fame Voting Underway!

The eagerly awaited 2024 Hall of Fame Ballot is now underway, following the completion of the Heritage Advisory Panel’s meticulous vetting and validating process. After careful consideration and evaluation, a selection of prominent candidates has emerged, representing the pinnacle of achievements in Queensland baseball history.

Voting Panel

The next phase of this process will see the Voting Panel tasked with the responsibility of determining the next inductees into the Queensland Baseball Hall of Fame. Comprising various stakeholders from affiliated clubs and regions, as well as representative bodies such as the Queensland Baseball Umpires Association and the Queensland Baseball Scorers Committee, the Voting Panel represents the wide-reaching impact and influence of baseball across the state.

Voting Panel

Moreover, the Brisbane Bandits, living Baseball Queensland Life Members, and living Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame members also form integral parts of the Voting Panel, ensuring a comprehensive and representative decision-making process.

Baseball Queensland will soon dispatch detailed information to all Voting Panel Members via email, providing them with the necessary instructions and access to the digital voting application. This platform will streamline the voting procedure, enhancing efficiency and transparency in the selection process.

To be inducted into the Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame, candidates must receive 75% of the total votes cast by the Voting Panel. Additionally, to ensure the validity of the ballot, it is required that at least 80% of the Voting Panel submits their votes.

In a bid to accommodate the diverse perspectives of the Panel Members, the electronic ballot allows for a range of choices. Members are encouraged to cast their votes in favour of any or all of the nominated candidates. Importantly, those who opt not to support any of the candidates are advised to utilise the “abstain” option on the electronic ballot paper. This will contribute to meeting the necessary 80% threshold for validating the poll.

The voting period will span seven days, providing Panel Members with ample time to assess the candidates’ achievements and contributions to the sport before casting their votes. The results will be closely monitored, and the inductees into the 2024 Queensland Baseball Hall of Fame will be announced shortly after the conclusion of the voting period and subsequently inducted into the Hall of Fame at the BQ Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on 20 September 2024.

As the Queensland baseball community eagerly anticipates the forthcoming Hall of Fame inductees, this year’s nominees have already etched their names in the annals of baseball history. The tireless efforts, dedication, and passion demonstrated by these individuals have not only elevated the sport but have also left an enduring legacy for generations to come.

Current Hall of Fame

Our BQ Heroes

Vetting and Validating Process

Hall of Fame Criteria

Baseball Queensland Seeks Leader for Baseball5 Program

Jul 31, 2024

Baseball Queensland is dedicated to promoting and expanding the sport of baseball across the state. Our Game Development team plays a pivotal role in fostering participation and creating opportunities for growth within our community. We are currently seeking a motivated and experienced individual to join our team as a Baseball5 Co-Ordinator.

As the Baseball5 Co-Ordinator, you will be instrumental in promoting and expanding Baseball5 initiatives. You will work closely with schools and community organisations to foster participation and create pathways for growth in the sport. This role requires a proactive and organised individual with a passion for sports development and community engagement.

The WBSC has plans to grow Baseball5 internationally, plans that include the games’ inclusion in the Youth Olympics and a World Championship event being held in Hong Kong from the 5th – 14th October 2024. Efforts are currently underway to build an Australian Team to compete in this World Cup event.

You can review the job advert at this link:

https://www.seek.com.au/job/77735658

What is Baseball5 you say? We’re glad you asked:

Baseball Queensland Partners with Sport4All to Champion Inclusivity and Diversity

Jul 22, 2024

Baseball Queensland Partners with Sport4All to Champion Inclusivity and Diversity

Baseball Queensland is excited to announce a new partnership with Sport4All, a program dedicated to making grassroots sport more inclusive across Australia. This partnership aligns perfectly with Baseball Queensland’s goals of evolving, engaging, and connecting within the sport. Sport4All, developed through a collaboration between the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission, and Dylan Alcott’s consultancy, Get Skilled Access, aims to make sport accessible to everyone. This award-winning program focuses on creating opportunities for people with disabilities to fully participate in and enjoy sports.

By partnering with Sport4All, Baseball Queensland will develop and diversify playing opportunities, introduce innovative approaches to sustain and grow baseball in Queensland, and improve the experiences of the baseball community. This collaboration will also help Baseball Queensland engage with stakeholders to develop strong partnerships, promote baseball as the sport of choice, and foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion.

This partnership with Sport4All aligns perfectly with their goals, as both organisations are dedicated to creating a future where everyone can enjoy the benefits of sport, regardless of their abilities.

“At Baseball Queensland, we believe in the transformative power of sport to unite communities and foster inclusivity,” said Gareth Jones, CEO of Baseball Queensland. “Our partnership with Sport4All represents a pivotal step towards creating a more inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the joy and camaraderie of baseball. Together, we are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that our clubs are welcoming and accessible to all. This collaboration underscores our dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion, enriching the lives of individuals and strengthening the fabric of our community.”

Sam Cawdron, Game Development Manager at Baseball Queensland, added, “I’m thrilled about our partnership with Sport4All and the opportunities they provide. Inclusivity in baseball extends far beyond just getting more people to play the game. It’s about creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong, whether they’re playing, helping in the canteen, keeping score, managing teams, umpiring, or providing off-field support. By collaborating with Sport4All, we’re helping ensure that our clubs are inclusive on and off the field, providing multiple opportunities to help create a community and foster inclusivity to all.“

Sport4All, a national award-winning program, is dedicated to promoting diversity and creating opportunities for people with disability in all aspects of sport. Through education, training, and resources, Sport4All empowers sporting organisations to create welcoming and inclusive environments for everyone.

“We are very excited at Sport4All to partner with Baseball Queensland to support a great sport, with their vision to build their confidence and capability with disability inclusion,” said Kim Abbott, Sport4All State Sport Inclusion Coach for Queensland. “The Sport4All program provides education, training, and resources that are available to the Baseball Queensland community to provide guidance and support, as well as empower associations, clubs, and members about the value of including people with a disability through all levels of baseball.”

Sport4All empowers local clubs, schools, and communities to embrace diversity. Managed by people with lived experience of disability, Sport4All brings valuable insights and promotes inclusive practices. This partnership will provide resources and training to local clubs, ensure people with disabilities can participate in baseball, and raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Baseball Queensland is committed to setting a standard for other sporting organisations, showing that inclusive participation benefits the entire community.

Together, Baseball Queensland and Sport4All are dedicated to creating a future where everyone can enjoy the benefits of sport, regardless of their abilities. This partnership is not just about changing the game; it’s about changing lives.

Baseball Queensland Appoints Danny Maruyama as Special Advisor for Partnerships – Japan

Jul 18, 2024

Baseball Queensland Appoints Danny Maruyama as Special Advisor for Partnerships – Japan

Baseball Queensland is excited to announce the appointment of Danny Maruyama to the newly created role of Special Advisor for Partnerships – Japan. This appointment recognises Mr. Maruyama’s outstanding contributions over the past 40 years in fostering strong ties between baseball in Queensland and Japanese baseball organisations. Danny Maruyama has played a crucial role in building and nurturing relationships with various Japanese baseball entities. His extensive network and deep understanding of Japanese baseball and culture have significantly advanced Baseball Queensland’s initiatives.

His key contributions include,

-Facilitating communication and meetings with Japanese high school baseball teams and associations

-Organising international visits and exchange programs for teams and coaches

-Providing cultural and linguistic assistance to ensure smooth interactions

-Promoting Baseball Queensland’s initiatives within Japan

Danny Maruyama’s efforts have already brought tangible benefits to Baseball Queensland, including successful exchange programs and increased visibility within the Japanese baseball community. Mr. Maruyama was integral to the establishment of the Robina High School Baseball Excellence program with the program’s field named in his honour, acknowledging his substantial contributions. Mr Maruyama also played a key role in establishing agreements between Baseball Queensland and Japanese High School Baseball Federations that have provided high quality games for our Queensland teams in preparation for the Australian Youth Championships over an extended period of time.

We are confident that Danny Maruyama’s appointment will further solidify our international partnerships and continue to bring mutual benefits to both Baseball Queensland and the Japanese baseball community.