Annual General Meeting Notice | 2025

Oct 31, 2025

October 31, 2025
Updated: November 12, 2025

Dear Region Members,

Please find attached a copy of Notice of the 2025 Baseball Queensland Annual General Meeting.

Director positions up for election/re-election in 2025 are currently held by:

David Badke, Director – Deputy Commissioner and Director Game Development

Andy Utting, Director – Communication & Partnerships

Director Nominations

Candidates are encouraged to review the information available from this link and to complete and return the Skills Matrix with their Application (Form A) by CoB 12 November 2025.

AGM Notice

Life Membership Nominations

To nominate someone for Baseball Queensland’s Life Membership, the form can be found HERE. Please submit Life Membership nominations by 20 November 2025.

Candidates Nominated for Election

Please click on Nomination Form, Skills Matrix and Supporting Information links to review each respective document for the candidates.

BADKE, David

Nomination Form

Skills Matrix

PADDISON, David

Nomination Form

Skills Matrix

Supporting Information (Letter to the Baseball Queensland Membership)

STRUTT, Regan

Nomination Form

Skills Matrix

Supporting Information (Resume)

UTTING, Andy

Nomination Form

Skills Matrix

WILSON, Luke

Nomination Form

Skills Matrix

Supporting Information (Resume)

2025 Barclay Cup Wrap-up

Oct 27, 2025

Queensland Crocs Wrap: Hard Work and Heart Exemplifies the Crocs Spirit at the 2025 Barclay Cup

October 2025

The Barclay Cup is more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of women’s baseball, held in honour of trailblazer Jacinda Barclay—and once again showcased the best of our sport: community, courage, and connection. For the Queensland Crocs, Adelaide was a week-long masterclass in resilience and team spirit that will echo well beyond the final out. In the weeks leading up, the squad put in the work together: early starts, extra reps, and shared standards that quietly stitched the group into one team. By the time they jetted off on 27 September, there was a real sense of purpose in the air—bags packed, bats taped, and a collective promise to represent Queensland with pride.

Across eight tough games in a tightly contested draw, the Crocs finished 1–7, but the numbers hardly tell the story. There were inspiring flashes everywhere: gritty at-bats that stretched counts, smart base running, and defensive plays built on trust and communication. More importantly, the dugout never wavered. Huddles tightened, voices got louder (in the best way), and little moments—glove taps, quick tips, steady eye contact—kept the group connected through every inning.

“I’m immensely proud of this group. They showed up for each other, embraced the hard moments, and represented Queensland with class. The growth—in skill, confidence, and connection—was exactly what this tournament is all about.”
– Noel Tate, Head Coach

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The learning didn’t stop when the games did. The team were eager to soak up knowledge and guidance from their coaching staff, in particular, assistant coaches Bella & Molly – who along with being exemplary role models are distinguished players in their own right within the Queensland program. Together they got hands-on with fresh methods—defensive footwork progressions, plan-ahead hitting routines, and the kind of small technical tweaks that make a big difference. They also leaned on tools from their pre-tournament sports psychology session—breathing cues, reset routines, constructive self-talk—and turned them into everyday habits, not just game-day tricks. Those mindset cues became anchors in tight spots and a shared language that strengthened team culture. As Assistant Coach Bella Pickford put it,

“They leaned into learning—every drill, every talk, every challenge. Their willingness to try new things and back their teammates made the biggest difference. They’ll take these tools into club ball and come back even better.”
– Bella Pickford, Assistant Coach

One moment that said everything about the group’s values came when Arielle Judd received the Spirit Award for the Queensland team—recognition for the player who exemplifies what it means to be a great teammate, showing inclusivity and true sports-‘woman’-ship all week. Arielle’s steady presence, voice of encouragement, and “team-first” choices became a quiet compass for the Crocs.

Around the diamonds and in the walkways between fields, the Crocs lived the tournament’s friendship ethos. They traded stories and smiles with players from interstate and international teams, turning post-game chats into real connections. It was evident in the handshakes that lingered, the shared cage time, and the mutual respect that carried through tough scorelines. Assistant Coach Molly Donald captured it perfectly:

“They played with heart and treated every opponent with respect. Watching them celebrate small wins, support each other after tough innings, and connect with other teams—that’s the kind of success that lasts.”

– Molly Donald, Assistant Coach

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Ask the players what they’ll remember, and you’ll hear about the friendships, the shared laughter that forged new bonds, and the feeling of belonging to something bigger than just the result on a scoreboard. Many said they’d encourage any young female player in Queensland to get involved next year—because the pathway is real, the community is welcoming, and the growth (on and off the diamond) is undeniable.

To everyone who made the campaign possible—players, parents and families, and the coaching/support team of Head Coach Noel Tate, Assistant Coaches Bella Pickford and Molly Donald, and Team Executive Officer Maureen Lessmann—thank you. Your time, energy, and care brought the best out of this group.

Baseball Queensland is incredibly proud of how the Queensland Crocs represented the state: with integrity, energy, and unity. 2025’s edition of Barclay Cup was a brilliant showpiece for women’s baseball, and the momentum is only building from here. We’re excited to see how this group grows from the experience and carries their learnings into the next challenge, together.

Go Crocs!

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North Queensland: Professional Development and Baseball5

Oct 27, 2025

October 2025

Building Capacity in the North: Baseball Queensland Development Team Gathers in Townsville

Baseball Queensland’s Game Development Manager, Sam Cawdron, and Baseball5 Coordinator, Joe Surrentino, recently travelled to Townsville to support and oversee two days of professional development led by Development Officers Luke Ardill (Townsville) and Mila Bender (Cairns).

Luke and Mila took the reins in organising and running the sessions, showcasing their leadership as Baseball Queensland’s North Queensland Development Officers. The event brought together the growing northern team at Country Bank Stadium, with Mila joined by her Cairns casual staff Mia Bender and Owen Macpherson, and Luke supported by Michael Mount and Paris Bastow.

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Strengthening the North Queensland Delivery Network

The goal of the visit was to continue building the capacity of Baseball Queensland’s expanding North Queensland workforce. With part-time Development Officers now established in both Townsville and Cairns – supported by a growing team of casual deliverers – the region is now better equipped to deliver quality programs across schools, clubs, and community spaces.

“Having local Development Officers supported by a casual team means they don’t have to do it all themselves. It helps us reach more schools, deliver more sessions, and maintain the professional standards that represent Baseball Queensland.”
– Sam Cawdron, Game Development Manager

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Professional Development at Country Bank Stadium

The two-day PD event, held on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 October, focused on upskilling new staff and aligning delivery standards across the region. The program covered:

BQ policies, procedures, and workplace expectations
Pay scales and administration processes
Coaching practices, teaching styles, and session structure
Interactive icebreakers, team-building games, and hands-on activities
Emerging initiatives, including childcare centre programs, after-school sessions, female participation programs, and Sporting Schools delivery

The sessions balanced theory with practice – avoiding “death-by-PowerPoint” and instead getting participants active, coaching, and learning from one another in a supportive environment.

“This was a great learning opportunity not just for our new Development Officers, but for everyone involved,” said Cawdron. “We all learn from each other, and that was exactly the environment we wanted to create.”

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Championing Diversity and Inclusion

A highlight of the PD days was a session with Matthias Graepel, Inclusion Coach for Sport4All in North Queensland. Matthias shared his own inclusion journey and provided valuable insights on how Baseball Queensland’s Development Officers can create welcoming environments in schools and community programs.

He offered practical examples and coaching tips around inclusive communication, adaptability, and understanding that inclusion is a journey, not a destination. His contribution added an important layer to the team’s professional development and will no doubt influence how staff engage with participants across all programs.

Spotlight on Baseball5 and B5 Development

The PD also featured Baseball5 Head Coach Adrian Medina and Team Australia athlete Jonah, who introduced the group to the sport’s rules, coaching techniques, and participation potential.

Their passion and experience were infectious, inspiring the regional staff and strengthening Baseball Queensland’s commitment to using Baseball5 as a tool to grow participation across the state.

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First North Queensland Baseball5 Come & Try Day

Following the PD days, Sam and Joe joined Luke and the Townsville team, along with Baseball5 Head Coach Adrian Medina and Team Australia player Jonah, to run North Queensland’s first Baseball5 Come & Try Day at Calvary Christian College.

Adrian and Jonah were heavily involved throughout the session – sharing their expertise, guiding participants through the fundamentals, and bringing great energy to the day. Their passion for the game helped create an engaging, high-energy environment that perfectly showcased what Baseball5 is all about.

It was also a great opportunity for Adrian to help upskill and work with our new BQ’s Baseball5 umpires. Our BQ casual staff, along with new B5 umpire Tara Cocks, had the chance to umpire live games, learn the calls, and gain confidence in the gameplay ahead of the new social Baseball5 competition kicking off on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.

Around 15 participants took part in the fast-paced, energetic format – a preview of what’s to come when Townsville hosts Australia’s first Baseball5 competition.

“Baseball5 is a great opportunity for everyone, it’s perfect for current baseball players wanting to stay active over the off-season, but also a fun and welcoming way for new players to try the sport for the first time. It’s fast, social, and something the whole community can enjoy together.”
– Luke Ardill, Game Development Officer (Townsville)

For more information about Baseball5 and how to get involved, visit www.baseballqueensland.com.au/b5.

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Opportunities for Players:

Townsville’s Baseball5 Competition is coming fast, and is now open for registrations! Find out more here:

Find out More

Opportunities for Schools:

Sporting Schools applications are open until November 14, apply to host a Baseball or Baseball5 schools session in Term 1!

Sporting Schools

Now Calling Friendship Players for 2025 Women’s, Youth Women’s and Little League Girls!

Oct 20, 2025

2025 QLD State Titles Women (Div 1)/Women Youth/Little League Girls Friendship Player Registration Form

October 2025

As per information released in July the Baseball Queensland Tech Norms have had some changes come into effect recently. You can read more here>>>

Any player that does not have a roster spot with the Region they have registered with for the current season and who would like to participate in the 2025 QLD State Titles Women (Division 1)/Youth /Little League girls needs to meet the requirements within the BQ Tech Norms and complete this form (https://forms.office.com/r/7PLjTHGQf1) to be eligible to be placed with a team.

Players must play with the Region in which they were last registered prior to the State Titles, unless they have registered with a club within another Region for the pending summer season prior to 31 August.

Should a player be registered with, and/or played with two (2) or more affiliated teams during the season prior to the dates of the State Titles, then the Region in which the player registers and pays their Baseball Australia and Baseball Queensland Capitation fees will have priority on that player for selection. Note: This rule has come into effect from 1 August 2025.

It is a fundamental assumption that a team exhausts all possible avenues to secure as many players as possible from within their own Regional boundaries. If the team is unable to field a team from within its own Regional boundaries, it is then entitled to make a request to the Tournament Advisory Panel through this form (https://forms.office.com/r/JbVck0Y4Jz) to secure players from other Regions. Regions should not directly approach friendship players. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in the player being deemed ineligible for the Tournament. Note: This rule is in effect from 1 August 2025.

All friendship players must register into the “Pool”. A Friendship player can nominate a preferred Region but there is no guarantee they will be added to that roster. Note: This rule is in effect from 1 August 2025.

2025 QLD State Titles Women/Youth/Little League Girls (Division 1) Friendship Player Pool Registration Form has been extended and will remain open until Monday 10 November.

Please note: Women’s Div 2 teams remain eligible to source players as they see fit.

Players without a roster spot with their parent Region can nominate as a Friendship Player and the Tournament Advisory Panel will attempt to match you with a Region looking for players.

Player Nomination Form

Regions seeking to pick up players to complete their roster can complete this form and the Tournament Advisory Panel will attempt to allocate players from the Friendship Player pool to your Region to complete your roster.

Region Player Request Form

Need to find the Tech Norms or other event related information? Use the button below.

Event Information Page

September Events Wrap-up

Oct 5, 2025

29 September, 2025

September has been a big month for Baseball in Queensland, with the completion of Futures League leading into the Baseball Queensland U16 and U18 Showcase, as well as Queensland Representative School Sports’ first ever 13-19 Girls State Championships.

We celebrated contributors to the sport at the 2025 Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner, which included a variety of acknowledgements from State Teams to community nominated Of the Year awards alongside Distinguished Service Awards and Mal Mackay’s induction to the Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame.

We also took to the parks of the Gold Coast for our first two Baseball5 Active and Healthy sessions supported by the City of Gold Coast.

School Sport Girls 13-19

For the first time ever, Queensland Representative School Sport facilitated a competition for Girls 13-19. This was hosted alongside the annual 12-14 School Sport competition at Redlands Rays Baseball Club.

Congratulations to the Sunshine Coast region for taking out both events!

It is incredibly exciting that Queensland was home to one-off, if not the first state Girls Baseball Schools Championship and is a clear demonstration of the demand and growing player base of youth women and girls and we’re excited to see this opportunity to continue and grow in future years!

12-14

Gold: Sunshine Coast
Silver: Met North
Bronze: South Coast

Girls 13-19

Gold: Sunshine Coast
Silver: Met North
Bronze: Met East

Queensland Representative School Sport have announced their dates for 2026, make sure to reach out to your school or school sport region for trial information!

School Sport Dates 2026

Baseball5 Active and Healthy Gold Coast

Set to hit the parks of the Gold Coast monthly until June 2026!

During the school holidays, Baseball5 launched its monthly Active & Healthy park pick-up-and-play sessions on the Gold Coast. These sessions were held at Broadwater Park in Southport and Pizzy Park in Miami, and have quickly gained momentum, with attendance growing each time.

A huge thank you to Gold Coast staff members Stephen and Amelia, whose energy and commitment helped make these sessions a fantastic experience for all who attended.

In October, we’ll be back at Broadwater Parklands on the Great Lawn on Saturday the 18th between 9am and 11am.

A huge thank you to GC Active & Healthy and Sam Hughes for supporting Baseball5 and giving us the opportunity to grow the sport while keeping the Gold Coast community active and engaged. We’re excited to see Baseball5 thrive in such a vibrant and energetic region!
– Joe Surrentino
Baseball5 Coordinator

Next Baseball5 Event

Futures League 2025

The multi-week Futures League competitions wrapped up for 2025, organised by the Futures League Committee, the competition stands as a pre-season opportunity for U14’s and as a capstone for a number of U16/U18 athletes off-season training programs.

This year, from a participation perspective, we had the biggest Futures League to date. We had over 300 athletes participating across the youth and Women’s competitions. The games were played in good spirit with an exceptionally high level of baseball seen across all ages and divisions. With player participation and development being the main focus, we were fortunate enough to see a lot of improvement from our athletes in their skill development on the field. It was also great to see the positive attitudes displayed in all aspects of the game. This was demonstrated in the hustle on and off the field, supporting their team mates and the high level of respect shown to other players, coaches and officials. Whilst it was made clear at the start (and echoed the whole way through) that Futures League is not driven by results, the high level of competition and game play shown across all ages was impressive to say the least. Observing the talent we have coming up through the ranks is exciting and seeing our athletes harness the opportunities and giving their all on the field is fantastic. Off the field, I would like to say a big thank you to Ready Towing for their continued support of baseball in Queensland. It’s partnerships like this with the Futures League that give our players the opportunity to get out on the field and play the game. Last, but not least, I would like to acknowledge and thank all the host venues committee members and volunteers for providing their facilities and support to house the competition.
– Jordan Ballard
Futures League Junior Coordinator

This years’ Futures League featured 3x Women’s teams, 4x U14s, 4x Emerging U14s, 4x Emerging U16/18s and 6x U16/18s teams! A massive thank you to all of the host venues, coaches, umpires and scorers who dedicated their time to ensure these athletes could take the field! We are also incredibly grateful for the support of Ready Towing as a recurring sponsor of the Futures League, their ongoing support ensures that opportunities like this are available to our members.

Thank you Ready Towing!
https://www.readytowing.com.au/

2025 Baseball Queensland Showcase

75 athletes and 20 coaches from across the state came together for the 2025 BQ Showcase. The event delivered a high-tempo, game-paced environment that showcased emerging talent and supported continued development across the Baseball Queensland pathways.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made the weekend possible:

Pine Hills Baseball Club – for hosting and supporting the event

Umpires, scorers, and game-day officials – for keeping the games running smoothly

Our incredible coaching group – for their energy, guidance, and leadership

Michael Lovell from desolve.com.au – for capturing the action through a brilliant lens

The Showcase was about more than just games. It was about creating opportunities, building connections, and driving Queensland baseball forward.

This year’s BQ Showcase was a great opportunity to bring together a strong concentration of athletes and coaches, which really highlighted the outcomes of our off-season programs. Across our Performance Pathway this year we’ve delivered close to 700 program opportunities, with athletes and coaches engaged across multiple programs from Cairns through to the Gold Coast. The Showcase reflected the growth and depth that’s come from this work, and it was also a chance to acknowledge the dedication of our coaching and support staff whose commitment ensures our athletes are prepared and progressing. Importantly, the event also demonstrated how our pathway continues to open new opportunities for both athletes and coaches to develop and perform at higher levels.

– Nick Bachono
Interim Performance Programs Manager

U16 Photo Album

U18 Photo Album

A big thank you to the Queensland Government’s Department of Sport and Recreation for their support of the 2025 Baseball Queensland Showcase through the Active Industry Project Super Fund. You can read their post via the following:

Queensland’s best baseballers have knocked it out of the park at a weekend showcase in Brisbane’s north.
Players and coaches from all parts of Queensland levelled up their game with professional development sessions and 15 selection matches to decide who represents their state in 2026.
We were proud to pitch in and help Baseball Queensland hold the event, which created an equal playing field for talented athletes from regional Queensland to be identified, developed and supported alongside their Brisbane teammates.
Read more about how Baseball Queensland is giving a home run to regional Queensland’s baseball community: https://bit.ly/42TY56f
– Queensland Sport and Recreation

2025 Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner

On Saturday, 20 September, the Baseball Queensland community gathered at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Spring Hill, to celebrate the 2025 Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner. The evening brought together players, coaches, officials, volunteers, families, and supporters in recognition of the achievements and contributions that make baseball in Queensland so great.

We extend our sincere thanks to our valued event sponsors — Leading Edge Sports, The Ballpark Portside, and The Brisbane Bandits — for their generous support in making this event possible. A special thank you also goes to Honsa Studios for capturing the memorable moments on film and to Ben Foster, whose energy and professionalism as MC guided the evening’s celebrations.

The highlight of the night was the induction of Mal Mackay into the Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame, recognising his outstanding contributions as an umpire and leader in the game. We also proudly acknowledged three new Distinguished Service Award recipients — Barry Foat, Keith Land, and Steven Landsberg — for their long-standing dedication and impact on baseball in Queensland. Congratulations are also extended to all other nominees and winners of the 2025 Baseball Queensland Annual Awards, whose achievements represent excellence across all areas of our sport.

Finally, Baseball Queensland recognises and thanks all those who make our game possible—our volunteers, officials, participants, and supporters. Your passion, hard work, and commitment are the foundation of our sport’s success, and this evening was a celebration of your collective efforts as much as of the award recipients themselves.

Read the full Awards Dinner Wrap-up Here

2025 Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame & Awards Dinner

Oct 2, 2025

We extend our sincere thanks to our valued event sponsors — Leading Edge Sports, The Ballpark Portside, and The Brisbane Bandits — for their generous support in making this event possible. A special thank you also goes to Studio Honsa for capturing the memorable moments on film and to Ben Foster, whose energy and professionalism as MC guided the evening’s celebrations.

The highlight of the night was the induction of Mal Mackay into the Baseball Queensland Hall of Fame, recognising his outstanding contributions as an umpire and leader in the game.

We also proudly acknowledged three new Distinguished Service Award recipients — Barry Foat, Keith Land, and Steven Landsberg — for their long-standing dedication and impact on baseball in Queensland. Congratulations are also extended to all other nominees and winners of the 2025 Baseball Queensland Annual Awards, whose achievements represent excellence across all areas of our sport.