I’m not sure if you all are aware of it or not, but I played softball in Australia for 1 year on 2 different teams in Western Australia.
Now, this may not sound so exciting to you, but I’m from Canada, and basically, you can’t get any further away than Australia! It’s on the other side of the Earth to me!
How?
To make a long story short: Softball Australia contacted Softball Canada and told them they needed a pitcher to play on a local team and hopefully, play for the Western Australian State Team.
Well, to make another long story short: One of the heads saw me at our Provincial Tournament, when I had just turned 18, and we actually lost the game and missed the finals.
Packing my things up at the bench, I was approached by the lady and she asked me if I would like to go to Australia to play softball for 1 year completely paid for. She told me she knew I had what it takes and she chose me!
I had just graduated high school and hadn’t committed to any university in the USA yet, so I jumped at the chance! Then, I told my parents I was leaving in 1 week! LOL…
What’s Different About Softball in Australia?
Apart from the very different people you’re playing against, who happen to be completely fearless, tough people, only a little bit.
Photo left: The Kalamunda Knights based out of Perth, Western Australia. Left to Right: Sharon, Kimberly (Me), Barb, Erin, Chelsea, Shorty & Tracy
The fields often don’t have a back-stop, especially when you’re playing in fields! That means, for a pitcher, you cannot throw wild pitches, and for a catcher…You’d better not miss.
When you did have a back-stop, they were really far back from the plate, so those same rules apply!
The heat is horrific in the middle of the season, which is December through January, and they take that month off of playing entirely because it is so darn hot! So, you have 1 month lag right in the middle of your season.
For sure, as a pitcher, you still need to train during those hot days, so you try to train in the early morning or early evening. If you can wrangle yourself up a field with lights, it’s nice to go practice at night. I made sure I got my jogging in in the morning.
* I’ll let you in on more in a few days! Get ready for Part #2
***
I hope you enjoyed this How to Play Softball in Australia post on Championship Circle! Until next time…
G’Day Mate!
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S. Please Vote for Me (Hover over the stars and click 5 stars if you think it’s great!) to win My Dream Job of being Caretaker of Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia! (I had to speak quickly because they only give you 1 minute! LOL):
Watch Kimberly’s Video Here & Vote For Her!
[tags]softball, Softball Australia, Softball Canada, pitching, softball pitcher, Kimberly Edwards, Australian softball[/tags]
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hi my name is scott james tait,
i was the first boy in australia to play softball in a girls competion.i played for mulgrave softball club,in the dandenong softball association, that was in 1982 i was 8 years old.i played in the girls team for mulgrave and i also played in the mens team, you had to be 17 to play in the mens competion.i played in the dandenong associations teams.because of this they started a boys competion.i played for the dandenong association teams in the girls competion up until they started the boys competion,i then played in the association team for the boys competion.i was a pitcher and also did catching and first base,up until i was 12 and then went and played baseball for melbourne.i then at 15/16 coached three teams for pinewood softball club to the grand final,2 out of the 3 teams won.i only coached for one season. i am just writing to you to make sure that i am recognised for this.
thankyou
yours sincerly
scott james tait