Women’s Baseball - The Inside Pitch

This was a fun one! Recorded on the sidelines at the 2025 Queensland State Titles, watching a game and chatting about a part of baseball we couldn’t play without… umpires. I sat down with Alisha Jewry, one of the youngest female umpires going around, to talk about how she found her way into umpiring, getting thrown straight behind the plate early on, and why she stuck with it. We chat about what it’s like being a woman umpiring in men’s baseball, the difference state titles and nationals make when it comes to confidence and learning, and the power of being around people who actually want to help you get better. Alicia also shares what it meant to umpire at world-first girls nationals and to be heading to the US for professional umpire school. “If you love the game, umpiring gives you a whole new perspective. It builds confidence, teaches you to trust yourself, and honestly, it’s the best seat in the house.” 🎧 Women’s Baseball – The Inside Pitch

Thanks to Baseball Queensland, Women's Baseball the Inside Pitch's Amy McCann visited the Runcorn Indians and Narangba Demons baseball clubs for the 2025 Queensland State Titles.  Amy chatted to players, coaches, umpires, scorers, high performance staff and more about the great event!  Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:52 Anna Day - A tournament Director like no other 03:49 Nick Bachono - an eye on Nationals 05:48 Kya Foxwell - full circle as player to player & coach 06:58 Cassandra Hall - Best seat in the house  09:40 Peter Riggs & NQ Storm: Building a Family Culture in Baseball 11:41 Leigh Druery - can't keep track without a scorer 15:01 Gemma Scales - The Rise of Women's Baseball in the Territory 16:33 Monica Arcuri - junior baseballer making giant steps around the world 20:09 Neal Ragou - Guiding the next generation  24:37 Thanks 

Join me as I chat with Peyton Newman about her incredible experience playing in the Canada East League in Quebec. From her roots with the Carine Cats to taking her baseball career international, Peyton shared some great insights on growth, opportunity and what she’s learned along the way.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction  01:34 How she got started 03:05 National Championships and Achievements 05:52 Experience in the Showcase 08:09 On Carine Cats 10:08 Playing in Canada: The League and Training 12:42 Coaching and Team Dynamics 15:32 Skills Development and Game Experience 17:44 Navigating Versatility in Baseball Positions 18:45 Team Dynamics and Player Experiences 19:34 Youth Baseball Development in Canada 21:21 Cultural Immersion and Life in Canada 23:25 Personal Growth Through Challenges 27:33 Embracing Opportunities in Sports 27:58 Advice for those thinking of going overseas 30:08 Preparation and Mental Readiness for Travel 32:19 Revamping Baseball Uniforms

Field of dreams to a reality for these two Aussie ballers Allie Bebbere and Molly Paddison! The duo joins Amy McCann to all things Women's Profressional Baseball League trials held in the United States. Allie and Molly discuss their decision-making process, the challenges of preparation, their arrival in Washington, and the emotional rollercoaster of the trial experience, culminating in their time at Nationals Park.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL) 02:23 Choosing to nominate in the first place! 04:42 Choosing to make the the trip over 06:29 Preparation for Trials 08:04 Like 'what the?' 12:50 Arrival in Washington and First Impressions 13:40 Lets get to the Trials! 16:52 Trial Days Overview 25:38 Learning from Trials 28:50 Finding out they'd made the cut to play at a big league park!   32:39 The Excitement of Playing at a Major League Park 38:52 Major League Game Day 46:40 No bad hops 48:44 Stand out moment 50:15 Molly's nap time 52:46 Advice for Future Generations 55:09 The big question - how has it changed you? 58:37 Anticipation for the Draft and Future Opportunities 01:00:55 The Draft. 01:02:24 Congrats and Thank you! 

Monica Arcuri is just 12, but she’s making history every time she steps on a baseball field. In July 2025, she became the only girl to contest the Little League World Series and just the 24th in history. She stepped up for Australia and landed a hit, joining a select group of only eleven girls to ever record one at the LLWS. In this chat, Brisbane's Monica talks about the Series, training in Japan, juggling school with sport, and what it means to be a girl in baseball. She shares the lessons she’s learned, the mates who’ve backed her, and her hope to see more girls playing the game back home.

The British Women's Baseball Team is going to the WORLD CUP!  In this special episode, Amy McCann speaks with Oona Ylinen and Artie Herbert, members of the Great British Women's Baseball Team, who recently became Euro champions and qualified for the World Cup. They discuss their journey into baseball, the emotional highs and lows of the tournament, and the importance of resilience and teamwork. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing full-time jobs with their passion for baseball, the significance of their victory, and their aspirations for the future of women's baseball in Great Britain.  

In this episode, Amy McCann speaks with Laura Bailes about the upcoming 2025 Women's Euro Championships. They discuss the excitement surrounding the tournament, the growth of women's baseball in the UK, and the dynamics of the Great Britain team as they prepare for the competition. Laura shares insights on the team's preparation, the mix of returning players and rookies, and the strategies they are employing, including the use of data and mental preparation. The conversation also touches on team spirit, the importance of visibility for women's sports, and the support from fans and family. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women's Baseball and Team Vibes 02:25 Laura Bailes: Journey to Great Britain Baseball 04:43 Team Preparation and Commitment 08:01 Mix of Experience: Rookies and Veterans 10:44 Mental Game and Team Dynamics 11:40 British Style of Play and Strategy 13:51 Data-Driven Approach to Baseball 15:11 Team Playlist and Dugout Vibes 16:57 Goals and Aspirations for the World Cup 18:19 Support and Community Engagement   ------   Guess what? WBIP is heading on a Euro trip! That’s right, the 2025 Women’s Baseball European Championship kicks off this week. This is the third edition of the tournament, which started in 2019 and was last held in 2022. From August 14 to 17, the beautiful town of Hluboká in the Czech Republic will be the centre of women’s baseball in Europe. Four national teams will take the field, battling not just for continental bragging rights, but also for a spot at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. So, who’s in the mix? We have France — the two-time defending champions. Czechia — the hometown heroes. The Netherlands — regulars on the World Cup stage. And Great Britain — chasing their breakthrough moment. Over four days, these teams will face off, with the top two meeting in the championship final on August 17. Though the tournament is still young, it’s already packed with stories. Back in 2019, France took gold over Great Britain, with Czechia claiming bronze. In 2022, France defended their title convincingly, beating Czechia 13–3 in the final. The Netherlands grabbed bronze, and Great Britain finished fourth. So, as we look ahead to 2025, the big questions are: Can France make it three in a row? Will the Netherlands return to the World Cup for the sixth time? Can Czechia seize the crown on home soil? Or will Great Britain finally clinch their debut World Cup spot?  

Host Amy McCann chats all this Dutch women's baseball with players Anouk Vergunst and Kim Schindeler and coach Martin De Koning. Hear all about the team's vibe ahead of the 2025 Women's Baseball European Championships, dynamics, insights into their training, team building, the unique spirit of Dutch women's baseball, the support from fans and sponsors, and Martin shares how proud he is of the team! ------   Guess what? WBIP is heading on a Euro trip! That’s right, the 2025 Women’s Baseball European Championship kicks off this week. This is the third edition of the tournament, which started in 2019 and was last held in 2022. From August 14 to 17, the beautiful town of Hluboká in the Czech Republic will be the centre of women’s baseball in Europe. Four national teams will take the field, battling not just for continental bragging rights, but also for a spot at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. So, who’s in the mix? We have France — the two-time defending champions. Czechia — the hometown heroes. The Netherlands — regulars on the World Cup stage. And Great Britain — chasing their breakthrough moment. Over four days, these teams will face off, with the top two meeting in the championship final on August 17. Though the tournament is still young, it’s already packed with stories. Back in 2019, France took gold over Great Britain, with Czechia claiming bronze. In 2022, France defended their title convincingly, beating Czechia 13–3 in the final. The Netherlands grabbed bronze, and Great Britain finished fourth. So, as we look ahead to 2025, the big questions are: Can France make it three in a row? Will the Netherlands return to the World Cup for the sixth time? Can Czechia seize the crown on home soil? Or will Great Britain finally clinch their debut World Cup spot? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Netherlands Women's Baseball Team 01:52 Intro to Netherlands 03:56 Team Selection and Training Dynamics 05:56 How the team comes together 07:16 What has the team been working on in the lead in 08:28 On getting to play a Euro Champs 10:45 Team Netherlands in 3 words! 13:34 Goals for the Champs 15:56 Coach has a proud moment!  20:12 Introduction to Women's Baseball in France

In episode two, Amy McCann interviews Géraldine Gauzelin Ors, the manager of the French National Women's Baseball Team, as they prepare for the 2025 Women's Baseball European Championships.   They discuss the growth of women's baseball in France, the challenges of team selection and development, the importance of training and teamwork, and the aspirations for future success in the sport. ------   Guess what? WBIP is heading on a Euro trip! That’s right, the 2025 Women’s Baseball European Championship kicks off this week. This is the third edition of the tournament, which started in 2019 and was last held in 2022. From August 14 to 17, the beautiful town of Hluboká in the Czech Republic will be the centre of women’s baseball in Europe. Four national teams will take the field, battling not just for continental bragging rights, but also for a spot at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. So, who’s in the mix? We have France — the two-time defending champions. Czechia — the hometown heroes. The Netherlands — regulars on the World Cup stage. And Great Britain — chasing their breakthrough moment. Over four days, these teams will face off, with the top two meeting in the championship final on August 17. Though the tournament is still young, it’s already packed with stories. Back in 2019, France took gold over Great Britain, with Czechia claiming bronze. In 2022, France defended their title convincingly, beating Czechia 13–3 in the final. The Netherlands grabbed bronze, and Great Britain finished fourth. So, as we look ahead to 2025, the big questions are: Can France make it three in a row? Will the Netherlands return to the World Cup for the sixth time? Can Czechia seize the crown on home soil? Or will Great Britain finally clinch their debut World Cup spot?

In this conversation, Katerina Petroušková, a member of the Czech Women's National Baseball Team, shares her experiences and insights as the team prepares for the European Championships.   The discussion covers the excitement surrounding the tournament, the dynamics of the team, the challenges of hosting, and the aspirations of the players. Katerina also highlights the importance of community support and the growth of women's baseball in the Czech Republic.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women's Baseball in France 03:57 The Journey and Team Dynamics 06:11 Development of Women's Baseball in France 07:59 Team Composition and Key Players 10:32 Training Focus and Team Spirit 14:04 Off-Field Dynamics and Social Media Presence 16:23 The Importance of Winning and Future Aspirations 19:01 Community and Respect in Women's Baseball   ------   Guess what? We’re heading on a Euro trip! That’s right, the 2025 Women’s Baseball European Championship kicks off this week. This is the third edition of the tournament, which started in 2019 and was last held in 2022. From August 14 to 17, the beautiful town of Hluboká in the Czech Republic will be the centre of women’s baseball in Europe. Four national teams will take the field, battling not just for continental bragging rights, but also for a spot at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. So, who’s in the mix? We have France — the two-time defending champions. Czechia — the hometown heroes. The Netherlands — regulars on the World Cup stage. And Great Britain — chasing their breakthrough moment. Over four days, these teams will face off, with the top two meeting in the championship final on August 17. Though the tournament is still young, it’s already packed with stories. Back in 2019, France took gold over Great Britain, with Czechia claiming bronze. In 2022, France defended their title convincingly, beating Czechia 13–3 in the final. The Netherlands grabbed bronze, and Great Britain finished fourth. So, as we look ahead to 2025, the big questions are: Can France make it three in a row? Will the Netherlands return to the World Cup for the sixth time? Can Czechia seize the crown on home soil? Or will Great Britain finally clinch their debut World Cup spot?

Welcome to Women’s Baseball: The Inside Pitch Guess what? We’re heading on a Euro trip! That’s right, the 2025 Women’s Baseball European Championship kicks off this week. This is the third edition of the tournament, which started in 2019 and was last held in 2022. From August 14 to 17, the beautiful town of Hluboká in the Czech Republic will be the centre of women’s baseball in Europe. Four national teams will take the field, battling not just for continental bragging rights, but also for a spot at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. So, who’s in the mix? We have France — the two-time defending champions. Czechia — the hometown heroes. The Netherlands — regulars on the World Cup stage. And Great Britain — chasing their breakthrough moment. Over four days, these teams will face off, with the top two meeting in the championship final on August 17. Though the tournament is still young, it’s already packed with stories. Back in 2019, France took gold over Great Britain, with Czechia claiming bronze. In 2022, France defended their title convincingly, beating Czechia 13–3 in the final. The Netherlands grabbed bronze, and Great Britain finished fourth. So, as we look ahead to 2025, the big questions are: Can France make it three in a row? Will the Netherlands return to the World Cup for the sixth time? Can Czechia seize the crown on home soil? Or will Great Britain finally clinch their debut World Cup spot? Let’s break it all down.

We all want to be back in Melbourne for the 2025 Nationals.   Yes, Post Nationals Depression has hit hard.   So cure what ails ya with this series rewinding to all things April and Melbourne Ballpark.  In this episode, host Amy McCann interviews Kira Kuwamoto from Victoria.  In this engaging conversation, Kira Kumoto shares her journey from Japan to Australia, discussing the cultural differences in baseball, her experiences in state teams, and the joy of playing the sport. She emphasizes the importance of mindset in performance and reflects on her role as a coach for youth baseball.   Kira also highlights the significance of teamwork and mentorship in sports, expressing gratitude for the opportunities she has had in her baseball career.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kira Kumoto 00:52 Kira's Journey from Japan to Australia 03:45 Representing Victoria and Winning Gold 05:07 The Late Call-Up and MVP Performance 08:32 Mindset Shift in Performance 10:06 The Joy of Playing Baseball 12:47 Coaching the Next Generation 14:33 Unsung Heroes in Team Dynamics 17:46 Future Aspirations in Baseball

We all want to be back in Melbourne for the 2025 Nationals.   Yes, Post Nationals Depression has hit hard.   So cure what ails ya with this series rewinding to all things April and Melbourne Ballpark.  In this episode, host Amy McCann interviews Meaghan Haggart from WA.

We all want to be back in Melbourne for the 2025 Nationals.   Yes, Post Nationals Depression has hit hard.   So cure what ails ya with this series rewinding to all things April and Melbourne Ballpark.  In this episode, host Amy McCann interviews Mackenzie Jackson from New South Wales.

We all want to be back in Melbourne for the 2025 Nationals.   Yes, Post Nationals Depression has hit hard.   So cure what ails ya with this series rewinding to all things April and Melbourne Ballpark.  In this episode, host Amy McCann interviews Sarah McMahon from South Australia. We chat about her experiences in women's baseball, particularly focusing on her return to Nationals after a break, the dynamics of a young South Australian team, and the growth of women's baseball in the region. We discuss the importance of community, leadership, and the excitement surrounding the future of the sport, especially with the talented youth players emerging. Sarah shares personal highlights from her performance and reflects on the camaraderie within her team, emphasising the supportive environment that fosters success. Stay tuned for the Rapid Rewind!

We all want to be back in Melbourne for the 2025 Nationals.   Yes, Post Nationals Depression has hit hard.   So cure what ails ya with this series rewinding to all things April and Melbourne Ballpark.  In this episode, host Amy McCann interviews Charlotte Stokes, a rising star in Queensland women's baseball.   Tune in to hear them discuss Charlotte's transition from youth baseball to competing at the national level, her memorable performances during the nationals, and the challenges she faced as a rookie.   Charlotte shares insights on team dynamics, her goals for the future, and highlights a promising player to watch.    Stay tuned for the Rapid Rewind!    Chapters 00:00Introduction to Women's Baseball Nationals 2025 00:48Charlotte's Transition from Youth to Nationals 01:42Facing Tough Competitors and Memorable Moments 03:08Toughest faced at Nationals 04:29Recapping the big moments 05:12Team Dynamics 06:36Best bit of advice received at Nationals 09:02Goals 10:02Stokes' QLD player to watch 10:59Rapid Fire Nationals Rewind 11:51Rapid Fire Qs - QLD go to snack 12:33Rapid Fire Qs - Playlist selection 13:29Rapid Fire Qs - Fun Fact! 15:25New Chapter

Caitlin Eynon and Chloe Atkinson join the show for the fifth and final episode in our Girls Are Players Too series.  Host Amy McCann and co-hosts Tahnee Lovering and Amy Cannington, chat all things the history of WA Women's Baseball, the grit and determination of the players, the emergence of new stars, and their fave WA players of all time.   Caitlin and Chloe share insights on training, the Elite Series and their 2023 National Championship win.   The discussion also touches on the lessons learned from international experiences, the significance of mindset in baseball, and the challenges faced by two-way players and the 2025 Nationals.  'Drip or Skip' returns where we evaluate sports fashion choices including eye black and more.....    Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:12 The Final Intro with Amac, Tahn and Sister 03:10 Whaddya think when ya think WA? 08:26 Whats in story for WA in 2025? 11:52 Caitlin and Chloe Join the show 12:48 Caitlin and Chloe on their start in the sport 16:10 Giants and Braves and clubland in WA 19:05 2023 - Champions of Australia 21:28 Stepping up on the international stage 25:46 Baseball - its 90% mental  33:36 Multi-way players finding balance 37:26 Gold to fifth to ??? 39:39 WA player to WAtch 41:05 Second oldest is how old? 44:13 Drip or Skip: Yellow or Red? 46:46 Drip or Skip: Eye black & the grey skies of Melbourne 49:01 Drip or Skip: Dirty Mids 53:23 Drip or Skip: Batting gloves.... or glove :)  56:38 The final countdown

In episode four of the Girls Are Players Too series, we jump into the world of Queensland women's baseball and discuss all things maroon! We hear from Queensland baseball legend Karina Connors, Head Coach of the Queensland White team in 2025, about what she has seen across her 25 years in maroon baseball, the excitement of winning the 2023 Youth Nationals gold, coaching male and female athletes, and more. Molly “The Business” Paddison shares her journey from ballet to baseball, and through the ranks of junior Queensland baseball, about being the only female athlete in teams, winning the 2023 Youth Nationals gold and her stunning performance at the 2024 Nationals, and her evolving mindset as she transitions from a rookie to a leader at just 17. Plus 'Drip or Skip' returns to discuss walkout songs, helmet colours and outfield cellies. Plus, watch out for a special guest who drops into the studio! Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:42 Lets chat Queensland! 03:31 Queensland's Emeralds 04:29 Anne-Marieeeeeeee - EO to the stars! 05:24 2025 Queensland Rosters 07:43 So. Much. Youth. 09:57 Welcome Karina Connors (Sexo) 10:23 Sexo, a legend of QLD baseball 12:18 Karina on the changes over the last two decades in QLD baseball 14:13 On winning 2023 Youth Gold with QLD  16:53 Coaching Philosophy and the Path to Success 23:08 What does success look like for 2025 White? 27:31 Surprise Guest joins the show - the best name in baseball? 29:16 Storm's Journey in Baseball 30:12 Fangirling over Storm!  32:11 Goals for Nationals 33:19 Shoutouts and Rising Stars 34:24 Mental Toughness in Baseball 35:51 The Business End of the Show ;) 38:53 From Ballet to Baseball 40:33 Rising Through the Ranks 42:55 Experiences as the Only Girl 46:07 The Business chats 2025 Nationals 48:04 Mindset Shift for Nationals 51:53 Rivalries 55:07 Drip or Skip: Walkout Songs  58:32 Drip or Skip - White helmets 01:02:35 Drip or Skip: Cellies in the OF 01:07:06 Final words from The Business 

Welcome to the "Girls are Players Too" Podcast, a special series brought to you by Women's Baseball The Inside Pitch.   GRP2 will count down to the 2025 Australian Women’s and Australian Youth Women’s Championships which will take over Melbourne Ballpark from April 13-19.   WBIP founder Amy McCann teams up with fellow Emeralds alumni Tahnee Lovering and Amy Cannington and this trio knows their Nationals!McCann claimed seven national crowns with Victoria (2003-2014), Lovering five titles with New South Wales (2004-2018), while Cannington (née Collins) is one of the few to win gold in two states, representing both Victoria and New South Wales (2011-2020). Each week in a dedicated episode profiling each state, the trio will bring their expert insights and knowledge to the mic to dissect the rosters, chat with some of Australia’s best players, mix in a little Nationals history, and more. In episode 3, we chat to the New South Wales duo of Ticara Geldenhuis and Lisa Nakashio.  We learn how and when they got started in the sport, and hear all about their recent baseball experiences in Japan where they immersed themselves into Japanese culture on and off the field.  We delve into the importance of strength and conditioning in developing athletes, dealing with menstruation as a female in sport, and we also discuss the mental pressures of being at the top in the sport.  The episode talks to the history of the NSW state team, previews the 2025 roster, and also profiles the Blacktown Workers and Ryde Baseball clubs' women's programs.  In Drip or Skip, we tackle the big issues such as what blue is blue, what is going on with the white hats, eye black, and we invent double mitt cellies. Make sure you hang around to hear Tahnee sing the NSW team song!  Enjoy!   Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:55 Being a Blue 04:57 Tahnee on NSW team history 08:14 Amac's true blue blood 12:07 2025 Roster 17:28 Welcome Lisa and Ticara 19:59 Lisa and Ticara's visits to Japan 25:45 Learning from the best  35:26 Lisa chats coaching 39:37 The Role of Strength and Conditioning in Baseball 45:48 Dealing with periods in baseball and sport 49:58 2025 Nationals Preview  51:53 Blacktown Workers everywhere in the state team! 55:09 Lisa and Tahn chat Ryde! 01:01:06 Ticara and Lisa's NSW Players to Watch 01:02:41 Drip or Skip: Blue is the new black 01:06:56 Drip or Skip - Rookies Duties 01:07:55 Drip or Skip: White is the new Blue 01:09:07 Drip or Skip: Double sliding mitt cellies 01:11:51 NSW Team Song..... Explicit!

Welcome to the "Girls are Players Too" Podcast, a special series brought to you by Women's Baseball The Inside Pitch.   GRP2 will count down to the 2025 Australian Women’s and Australian Youth Women’s Championships which will take over Melbourne Ballpark from April 13-19.   WBIP founder Amy McCann teams up with fellow Emeralds alumni Tahnee Lovering and Amy Cannington and this trio knows their Nationals!McCann claimed seven national crowns with Victoria (2003-2014), Lovering five titles with New South Wales (2004-2018), while Cannington (née Collins) is one of the few to win gold in two states, representing both Victoria and New South Wales (2011-2020). Each week in a dedicated episode profiling each state, the trio will bring their expert insights and knowledge to the mic to dissect the rosters, chat with some of Australia’s best players, mix in a little Nationals history, and more. In episode two, Jess Maslin and Bianca Ramsey stopped by to chat all things South Australia, their rise in the game, how the game is booming in the state, the history of the state team and the upcoming 2025 elite team including the excitement of youth on the elite team. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of team cohesion, we explore the training regimens of two players, and the transition from softball to baseball. In Drip or Skip, we tackle the big issues such as t-shirt colour, pinstripes, crocs, baseball bling and baseball 'icks'. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:09 Exploring South Australia's Baseball History 05:35 What's the best SA team we've seen? 07:37 The 2025 South Australian Team Overview 12:33 The Importance of Game Play and Preparation 14:42 Guest Introductions: Jess Maslin and Bianca Ramsey 17:44 Comparing Baseball and Softball Skills 21:07 Jess' firsts with the bat! 23:03 Bianca's start in life! 25:05 Jess and Bianca share their Strength and Conditioning regime 28:45 On their participation in the Showcases 31:17 From Catcher to Pitcher: Bianca's Journey 32:55 Epic Performances: Nationals Highlights 35:17 2023 Team Dynamics: Building a Winning Culture 37:22 The Rising Stars: New Talent in the Team 40:26 Supporting Young Players: Leadership Strategies 43:41 Bianca and Jess give us their SA player to watch 45:59 Goals for Nationals 48:09 Drip or Skip: red shirts and rawdogging in the cage 52:36 Drip or Skip Bling 53:38 Baseball Icks 57:21 Tahnee chats pant style 01:00:36 Close