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 background

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.

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.

00:00 Introduction to Women's Baseball and the Hosts

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.

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 

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.