Women’s Baseball - The Inside Pitch

Tune in to our podcast to hear from Wanneroo Giants teammates Meaghan Haggart and Grace Spano. The "Girls Are Players Too" podcast series will count down to the 2026 Australian Women’s and Australian Youth Women’s Championships, which will take over Melbourne Ballpark from April 12-18.

This “Girls Are Players Too” episode features an in-depth discussion with hosts Amy McCann and Amy Cannington, with Victorian stars Lili Cavanagh, and Ashley Patton. It focuses on the 2026 National Championships, specifically highlighting the Victorian team. The discussion includes the team's impressive history, having never missed a medal since the championship's inception in 1999. The episode features interviews with players Lily Cavanagh, the 2024 National Championship MVP, and Ashley Patton, a newcomer to the team. The conversation covers the team's preparation, the influence of coaching staff, and the integration of new and returning players. The hosts also discuss the broader context of women's baseball in Australia, including pathways for young players and the impact of international experiences. GIRLS ARE PLAYERS TOO RANGE The podcast series shares its name with the special “Girls Are Players Too” WBIP fundraising initiative, which aims to raise money for the 2025 Championships campaign. The shirts are available in all state team colours, with $5 from each shirt and $10 from each hoodie sale going directly to the state teams. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women's Baseball and the Hosts01:32 Victoria's Dominance in Women's Baseball04:45 The 2026 Victorian Team Overview06:25 2026 Victorian Team.. drum roll....08:52 Coaching and Team Dynamics11:14 Victorian Coaching Staff 13:30 What has to go right? What can stop them?16:12 Beginnings in baseball21:59 The Journey of Youth Sports and Team Dynamics22:09 Youth Nationals: Triumphs and Challenges25:36 Coaching and Mentorship in Women's Baseball28:56 Emeralds Debut: The World Cup Experience33:32 2024 Nationals MVP36:17 Overcoming Injury: The Road to Recovery39:39 Balancing Sports: The Transition to Footy44:07 Exploring Softball: New Challenges and Goals47:10 Victorian Team Dynamics: A New Chapter47:31 Spotlight on Key Players50:04 Team Spirit and Community53:55 T-Time with Amy and Amy

WBIP founder Amy McCann and co-host Amy Cannington preview South Australia’s youthful and exciting squad for the 2026 National Championships at Melbourne Ballpark.

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

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 started03:05 National Championships and Achievements05:52 Experience in the Showcase08:09 On Carine Cats10:08 Playing in Canada: The League and Training12:42 Coaching and Team Dynamics15:32 Skills Development and Game Experience17:44 Navigating Versatility in Baseball Positions18:45 Team Dynamics and Player Experiences19:34 Youth Baseball Development in Canada21:21 Cultural Immersion and Life in Canada23:25 Personal Growth Through Challenges27:33 Embracing Opportunities in Sports27:58 Advice for those thinking of going overseas30:08 Preparation and Mental Readiness for Travel32:19 Revamping Baseball Uniforms

At just 12 years old, Monica Arcuri made history as the only girl on Australia’s Little League World Series team—and one of only eleven to ever record a hit.

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.

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 Team01:52 Intro to Netherlands03:56 Team Selection and Training Dynamics05:56 How the team comes together07:16 What has the team been working on in the lead in08:28 On getting to play a Euro Champs10:45 Team Netherlands in 3 words!13:34 Goals for the Champs15:56 Coach has a proud moment! 20:12 Introduction to Women's Baseball in France

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 France03:57 The Journey and Team Dynamics06:11 Development of Women's Baseball in France07:59 Team Composition and Key Players10:32 Training Focus and Team Spirit14:04 Off-Field Dynamics and Social Media Presence16:23 The Importance of Winning and Future Aspirations19:01 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?

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 Kumoto00:52 Kira's Journey from Japan to Australia03:45 Representing Victoria and Winning Gold05:07 The Late Call-Up and MVP Performance08:32 Mindset Shift in Performance10:06 The Joy of Playing Baseball12:47 Coaching the Next Generation14:33 Unsung Heroes in Team Dynamics17:46 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 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 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