Women’s Baseball - The Inside Pitch

Welcome to the first episode of WBIP's brand-new series, The Emerald Road to Rockford 2027, tracking Team Australia Emeralds players and staff across the country and around the globe as the countdown begins to the 2027 World Cup Finals in Rockford.
On the second episode, host Amy McCann catches up with Emeralds rookie Molly Paddison who shares her incredible 12 month journey from mock exams to representing Australia at the World Cup, making her WPBL debut and more!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Molly Paddison's background01:24 Getting the call to join the Australian Emeralds03:09 Reaction from family and the significance of the call04:35 Molly's calm demeanor and first impressions at Emeralds camp06:17 Playing alongside team leaders and learning from Elodie Sullivan08:01 Reflecting on the Mexico game and team mental strategies09:39 The importance of breath work and staying calm under pressure11:13 Memorable moments: winning in extra innings and team spirit14:26 The Canada game and the resilience of the Australian team15:47 Molly's game-winning home run and the intense atmosphere19:36 Celebrating the victory and the experience of playing in front of thousands23:38 The addictive nature of representing your country26:16 Handling nerves in high-stakes moments28:28 First impressions of playing on the WPBL field36:40 Adjusting to the unique field conditions in Springfield43:32 Personal growth on and off the field after the WPBL experience
 

Welcome to the first episode of WBIP's brand-new series, The Emerald Road to Rockford 2027, tracking Team Australia Emeralds players and staff across the country and around the globe as the countdown begins to the 2027 World Cup Finals in Rockford.
On the first episode, host Amy McCann catches up with Emeralds stalwart Claire O'Sullivan, dialling in from Springfield, Illinois, where she has been suiting up for the New York Heights in the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL).
Fresh off a whirlwind campaign that took her from elite club ball in Japan straight into international competition, Claire reflects on the demanding transition to professional play in the United States. She opens up about navigating a tight turnaround, flight cancellations, and visa delays in Toronto before stepping up to pitch four innings the very day she arrived in town.
The conversation winds back to the recent Women’s Baseball World Cup in Rockford, taking a deep dive into the Emeralds' preparation and mindset. Claire breaks down the high-stakes, extra-inning thriller against Mexico in Game One, detailing how trust, composure, and emotional control set the tone for the entire dugout. She also relives the gritty, short-handed 14-13 walk-off win against Canada, capped off by her sister Elodie’s clutch knock, and explains the mental resilience needed to adapt as a utility player when the team needed her to make full-stretch plays at second base.
Beyond the box scores, Claire provides an insider look at the contrast between the daily grind of Japanese club baseball and life in the WPBL. From balancing recovery, scouting meetings, and fan interactions to the philosophy of mental resets, she explains why keeping a grounded perspective off the diamond is vital when riding the inevitable highs and lows of three-to-four games a week against world-class opposition.
Finally, the episode highlights the profound impact of grassroots development and mentoring the next generation of female athletes. Claire shares what it meant to look into the stands in Rockford to see dozens of aspiring young Aussie players cheering on the national side, the joy of giving back through Team Legacy clinics, and her core coaching philosophy of shaping confident people first and skilled baseballers second. Tune in for an honest, insightful discussion on elite tournament ball, overseas leagues, and the bright future of women’s baseball.

With just ten weeks until the Women’s Baseball World Cup Group A kicks off in Rockford, Illinois, the Australian Emeralds have officially named the squad they believe will secure their spot in the 2027 finals.
In this episode, Amy McCann sits down with Emeralds Manager Jason "Pops" Pospishil to unpack the meticulous and often difficult process of building a "tournament-style" roster.
Pops pulls no punches while evaluating the defensive lapses of 2023, explaining why "pitchability" and routine plays have become the program's new non-negotiables.
The pair discuss:
The 5-0 Mandate: Why the Emeralds are heading to the US with a mindset of total dominance rather than just "hoping" to qualify.
The 20-Player Puzzle: The logic behind selecting a "tiny" 20-man roster and the tactical bench pieces needed to counteract international pitching styles.
Culture vs. Execution: A candid look at moving the needle from "giving effort" to clinical execution, and why travel and social media complaints were seen as "red flags" in previous campaigns.
 
The Athlete Evolution: How increased strength and conditioning is creating a new generation of high-velocity, such as two-way stars like Caitlin Eynon.
Data as a Weapon: An inside look at the "copious amounts of video" and advanced scouting led by Ursula Howard to break down the spray charts and "pop times" of opponents like the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The Rockford Legacy: The historical significance of playing in the home of the Rockford Peaches.

The 2026 Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships will run from April 12-18 at Melbourne Ballpark in Altona.

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. 

WBIP founder Amy McCann and fellow Emerald alumni Amy Cannington chat to Kya Foxwell and Grace White to preview Queensland! 
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

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

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 

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