Women’s Baseball - The Inside Pitch

Victoria - 2026 Girls Are Players Too - Nationals Preview

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

New South Wales - 2026 Girls Are Players Too - Nationals Preview

Defending champion New South Wales heads into the 2026 Australian Women’s National Championships with a powerful core returning, alongside another exciting group of young talent.
On the latest Girls Are Players Too podcast, hosts Amy McCann and Amy Cannington were joined by NSW players Maddi Heath and Isobel Lambert to chat about the team, their journeys in the sport and what lies ahead at Melbourne Ballpark.
The 2026 squad features strong continuity, with 14 players returning from last year’s title-winning team. That includes stars such as Claire O’Sullivan, Ticara Geldenhuis, Mackenzie Jackson, Maddison Erwin, Lisa Nakashio, plus Lambert and Heath, giving NSW one of the most grounded line-ups at the event.
At the same time, the Blues have added more young talent to the mix. 2025 Golden Glove winner Ivy White, Emily Ninnes and Tamryn Love come straight out of the youth competition, while former Youth Award winner Olivia Bonello also joins the squad.
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 01:35 New South Wales Team Overview05:04 Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics08:23 Welcome Maddi and Isobel09:58 All things blue and purple11:50 Personal Journeys in Baseball12:30 Early Baseball Beginnings13:32 The Competitive Spirit in Baseball15:14 Representing Australia: Early Achievements17:15 Paving the Way for Future Generations19:23 Navigating Youth Nationals21:22 Youth Nationals Memories23:21 First Women's Nationals Memory24:04 The Journey to Open Women's Nationals25:31 Isy's First Experiences in Women's Baseball28:16 Balancing Sports and Life29:30 The Duality of Baseball and Softball31:25 The Future of Women's Baseball39:56 Celebrating Achievements and Team Spirit41:05 The Impact of Coaching and Leadership42:17 Addressing Team Losses and Filling Gaps43:57 Injecting Youth into the Team44:47 Catching Dynamics and Player Development46:36 Rivalries and Competition in Women's Baseball49:44 The Importance of Team Culture50:48 Spilling the Tea: Fun and Games in the Dugout

South Australia - 2026 Girls Are Players Too - Nationals Preview

Hosts Amy McCann and Amy Cannington preview South Australia’s youthful and exciting squad for the 2026 National Championships at Melbourne Ballpark.
They break down the ins and outs of the roster, new coaching staff, and key players to watch, then speak with rising stars Peyton Daniels and Bree Ridding about their pathways, team dynamics, and Nationals expectations.
The episode highlights South Australia’s blend of youth and experience, training approaches, leadership from returning players like Carly Moore, and the team’s lively dugout culture — all ahead of the April 12–18 tournament.Chapters
00:00Introduction to the 2026 National Championships
00:33SA let's get started
02:42Overview of South Australia’s Team Dynamics
05:03Key Players and Their Impact
07:25Coaching Changes and changes
08:42Player Experiences and Backgrounds
10:09Training Regimens and Preparation for Nationals
12:37Bree on winning with SA Youth Team
13:12Peyton on trialling for SA
13:50Anticipation for Upcoming Championships
20:20Youth Energy in the Team
20:42Returning Players and Their Impact
23:04Current Season Performance and Roles
24:44Team Dynamics and Club Success
25:56Players to Watch This Season
28:11Spill the Tea: Team Insights
33:22Final Thoughts and Team Spirit 

Girls Are Players Too Podcast - 2026 Australian Championships - Preview

The two Amys are back to bring you everything you need to know about the 2026 Australian Women's and Youth Championships!
 
Emeralds and Nationals stars Amy McCann and Amy Cannington will have a preview of all five states ahead of April's 2026 Women's Nationals and Youth Nationals in Melbourne.
 
Join them as they catchup with stars of the NSW, Victorian, Western Australian, Queensland and South Australian sides. 
 
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Women's Nationals
02:50Amy Cannington's Baseball Journey
05:18Amy McCann's Baseball Journey
08:45Memorable Moments in Nationals History
11:26Preparing for Nationals
14:25Reflections on Last Year's Nationals
17:38Emerging Young Talent in Women's Baseball
20:23Looking Ahead to Future Nationals
21:25World Cup Excitement and Team Dynamics
23:25Team Previews: New South Wales and Victoria
25:57Emerging Talent in South Australia
28:20Youth Nationals: A New Generation of Players
31:19Tournament Structure and Fixture Insights
34:00Introducing the ROOS Team and Future Prospects
35:26Tea Time: A Fun New Segment
Resources
Girls of Players 2 Volume 2 T-shirts

Alisha Jewry - Umpire

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

Baseball Queensland State Titles 2025

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 Intro00:52 Anna Day - A tournament Director like no other03:49 Nick Bachono - an eye on Nationals05:48 Kya Foxwell - full circle as player to player & coach06:58 Cassandra Hall - Best seat in the house 09:40 Peter Riggs & NQ Storm: Building a Family Culture in Baseball11:41 Leigh Druery - can't keep track without a scorer15:01 Gemma Scales - The Rise of Women's Baseball in the Territory16:33 Monica Arcuri - junior baseballer making giant steps around the world20:09 Neal Ragou - Guiding the next generation 24:37 Thanks 

Oh Canada! Perth's Peyton Newman joins us from Quebec

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

WPBL - Allie Bebbere & Molly Paddison

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 over06:29 Preparation for Trials08:04 Like 'what the?'12:50 Arrival in Washington and First Impressions13:40 Lets get to the Trials!16:52 Trial Days Overview25:38 Learning from Trials28:50 Finding out they'd made the cut to play at a big league park!  32:39 The Excitement of Playing at a Major League Park38:52 Major League Game Day46:40 No bad hops48:44 Stand out moment50:15 Molly's nap time52:46 Advice for Future Generations55:09 The big question - how has it changed you?58:37 Anticipation for the Draft and Future Opportunities01:00:55 The Draft.01:02:24 Congrats and Thank you! 

Monica Arcuri - Little League history maker

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.

Beyond the Bases - Adelaide Angels

Welcome to another episode in our "Beyond the Bases" series that talks all things the grassroots of Australian baseball. In the series, we hear from clubs doing great things for women and girls baseball all across the country. 
In this episode, host Amy McCann speaks with members of the Adelaide Angels Baseball Club Bec Murdoch, Sophie Fuchs, and Dion Thiele about their experiences and the growth of women's baseball at their club.
They discuss the club's family-oriented culture, the evolution of women's teams, and the importance of creating opportunities for young female players. 
Plus we chat all things 2025 Barclay Cup! The prestigious Barclay Cup is a junior female baseball event in honour of Australian baseball legend Jacinda Barclay which will be hosted by the club from September 28 to October 4, 2025, at Weigall Oval.