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.