LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Success with Australia’s women’s national baseball and softball teams at the world championships this summer has entered Leigh Godfrey into the history books as the first player to medal at a baseball world championship and a softball world championship.
Godfrey was a representative of Softball Australia’s squad, which captured the bronze medal in the XIV Women’s World Softball Championship that was held in Haarlem, Netherlands in August. A few weeks later, Godfrey, a native softball player, won a bronze medal as a member of Baseball Australia at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan.
“I’m just trying to get both sports connected and have the opportunity to do it at an international stage,” Godfrey said, “and I am glad to represent my country in doing so.
Godfrey said the whirlwind experience of competing and medaling in two world championships was “fantastic” and the “best seven weeks of my life”.
With baseball and softball completing a historic merger to form the World Baseball Softball Confederation back in May, Godrey was keen to point out the potential benefits and synergy of the union.
“With baseball and softball working together, there will be more opportunities to develop and grow the sport than if each sport were to do it alone,” according to the 25-year-old. “Together there are twice as many resources.”
The Australian star believes baseball and softball are very accessible and easy to learn sports that “can be played by anyone”.
As a young girl, Godfrey was attracted to the bat-and-ball because of the team environment, good values, fun, and enjoyable atmosphere of being at the ballpark.
Regarding baseball/softball’s potential return to the biggest stage on earth, the Olympic Games, Godfrey was hopeful.
“It’s the pinnacle for any athlete,” she expressed.
While the Australian slugger hasn’t yet had the honour to represent Australia at the Games, she confirms it’s a target.
“Hopefully we´re back for Tokyo and I can experience what everyone envisions.”
Speaking about the excitement that baseball and softball could bring to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and having just won the bronze medal in Japan, Godfrey was as confident in her remarks as she is on the baseball and softball fields.
“It´s massively important and the biggest sport in the country. [For Tokyo 2020, baseball and softball] would attract great crowds and leave a mark and influence on the game.”
