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.

– 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.

– 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)

Baseball Queensland is thrilled to unveil the host venues for the 2025 state events, bringing together teams from across the state for a premier series of competitions. These events provide players with an opportunity to test their skills, compete for state titles, and earn a place on the pathway to national and international tournaments.

Big League Championships (5–6 April, Ipswich Musketeers)

Queensland Little League Championships (10–13 April, Redcliffe Padres)

Queensland Little League Invitational (11–13 April, Redcliffe Padres)

Queensland Little League Development Shield (11–13 April, Redcliffe Padres)

Queensland Intermediate 50/70 Championships (10–13 April, Redcliffe Padres)

Queensland Intermediate 50/70 Invitational (11–13 April, Redcliffe Padres)

Queensland Junior League Championships (10–13 April, Redcliffe Padres)

Queensland Junior League Invitational (11–13 April, Redlands Rays)

Queensland Senior League Championships (10–13 April, Redlands Rays)

Queensland Senior League Invitational (11–13 April, Mt Gravatt Eagles) *NEW LOCATION*

Queensland Masters State Championships (24–27 April, Surfers Paradise Baseball Club)

Queensland Little League Girls Championships & Queensland Youth Women’s Championships (15–17 December 2025, Narangba Baseball Club)

Queensland Women’s Championships (12-14 December 2025, Indians Baseball Club)

*Championships (formerly Division 1)

*Invitational (formerly Division 2)

*Development Shield (formerly Division 3)