Baseball Australia has announced that seven international stars will join Australia's top talent at the 2022 Australian Women's Baseball Showcase in Geelong from 5-8 May. The Victorian Government is supporting the showcase through its Significant Sporting Events Programme.
Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits and Victoria Aces will each play four opening-round games. The top two teams will play in the grand finale on Sunday, 8 May.
Reigning WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup MVP Ayami Sato headlines the international additions. The right-handed pitcher, who will suit up for the Adelaide Giants, is a five-time WBSC World Cup winner and a three-time MVP.
Japanese pitcher Mizuki Bando and catcher Yukina Izumi will also feature in the showcase.
Canadian players include pitcher-outfielder Claire Eccles, pitcher-infielder Allison Schroder, who helped Canada earn a bronze medal at the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup 2018, and infielder Alexane Fournier.
Experienced USA utility player Anna Kimbrell, the starting catcher at the 2018 World Cup, rounds out the international talent headed to the showcase.
The WBSC supports the inclusion of international players together with Baseball Canada, the Baseball Federation of Japan and USA Baseball. The WBSC will also stream the games live.
Baseball Australia stated in a press release that "The showcase is another step towards the launch of a professional women’s baseball league in Australia."
"The support of the WBSC and the federations in Canada, Japan and USA is great for the Australian Women’s Showcase," commented Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.
"Not only will the event provide a platform for Australia’s best to show what they can
do, adding some of the best female players in the world to event will add an exciting
element."
Williams added: "Our national Women’s team, the Emeralds, have been starved of international competition just like everyone else, so to have the chance to play alongside and compete against international star players in their backyard will be a great opportunity."
