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.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Women's Baseball and the Hosts 01:32 Victoria's Dominance in Women's Baseball 04:45 The 2026 Victorian Team Overview 06:25 2026 Victorian Team.. drum roll.... 08:52 Coaching and Team Dynamics 11:14 Victorian Coaching Staff 13:30 What has to go right? What can stop them? 16:12 Beginnings in baseball 21:59 The Journey of Youth Sports and Team Dynamics 22:09 Youth Nationals: Triumphs and Challenges 25:36 Coaching and Mentorship in Women's Baseball 28:56 Emeralds Debut: The World Cup Experience 33:32 2024 Nationals MVP 36:17 Overcoming Injury: The Road to Recovery 39:39 Balancing Sports: The Transition to Footy 44:07 Exploring Softball: New Challenges and Goals 47:10 Victorian Team Dynamics: A New Chapter 47:31 Spotlight on Key Players 50:04 Team Spirit and Community 53:55 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.

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 Overview 05:04 Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics 08:23 Welcome Maddi and Isobel 09:58 All things blue and purple 11:50 Personal Journeys in Baseball 12:30 Early Baseball Beginnings 13:32 The Competitive Spirit in Baseball 15:14 Representing Australia: Early Achievements 17:15 Paving the Way for Future Generations 19:23 Navigating Youth Nationals 21:22 Youth Nationals Memories 23:21 First Women's Nationals Memory 24:04 The Journey to Open Women's Nationals 25:31 Isy's First Experiences in Women's Baseball 28:16 Balancing Sports and Life 29:30 The Duality of Baseball and Softball 31:25 The Future of Women's Baseball 39:56 Celebrating Achievements and Team Spirit 41:05 The Impact of Coaching and Leadership 42:17 Addressing Team Losses and Filling Gaps 43:57 Injecting Youth into the Team 44:47 Catching Dynamics and Player Development 46:36 Rivalries and Competition in Women's Baseball 49:44 The Importance of Team Culture 50:48 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

• Girls of Players 2 Volume 2 T-shirts