At the Softball Australia Annual General Meeting held earlier today, Andrew Kirkpatrick, Melinda Weaver and Kyira Cox were today inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame, while the Vivienne Triplett award was awarded to Kristina Travers.

The Hall of Fame nominations are well deserved for the three new inductees, with the honour reserved for those who have made an outstanding contribution to softball at the Australian representative level, as determined by the Softball Australia History & Recognition Committee.

Softball Australia Chief Executive Officer Sarah Loh was impressed with the nominations received for each recipient, saying “All of our new inductees and award winners have demonstrated the highest standard of sportspersonship, commitment and integrity during their softball careers. All have played valuable roles in the growth and development of our sport, and it gives me great pleasure to be a part of today’s ceremony.”

Softball Hall of Fame Inductee: Andrew Kirkpatrick (ACT) – Player

For those who follow men’s softball, the Kirkpatrick name is synonymous with greatness. The 65^th Aussie Steeler debuted in 2001 at the Doreen Dalton Memorial Tournament in New Zealand and eventually racked up 138 caps for Australia.

“Cheese”, as Kirkpatrick is more affectionately known, played in six Open Men’s World Championships between 2004 and 2019, including the Championship-winning 2009 team, before retiring in 2019.

Softball Hall of Fame Inductee: Melinda Weaver (QLD) – Player

Melinda Weaver was the 241st player to represent the Australian Open Women’s team, debuting at the 2007 China Series and going on to play 131 games for Australia across 21 tournaments. Weaver competed at three World Championships (2012, 2014 and 2018) during that representative period and retired in 2018.

Softball Hall of Fame Inductee: Kyira Cox (NSW) – Official

Kyira Cox first umpired internationally in 2013, and with her last international tournament coming at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. During her career she was utilised at two separate Open World Championships, one Olympic Games and an Olympic Qualifier.

A trailblazer for Australian umpires, Cox was the first Australian to be appointed as a plate umpire in an Olympic Games, and her skills and character were recognised by the WBSC, twice being awarded the WBSC Umpire of the Year, in 2018 and 2022. Cox was also a worthy recipient of the Vivienne Triplett Umpire of the Year Award in 2016 and 2021.

2023 Vivienne Triplett Umpire of the Year Award: Kristina Travers (NSW)

Kristina (Krissi) Travers has contributed enormously to the Australian softball community. The committed volunteer and umpire of over 20 years has dedicated herself to the cause of softball in her local community and across the country.

Travers was a member of the Softball New South Wales Umpires Association for 9 years, leading development, merchandise, and social media, and in 2023 was appointed as the Director of Umpiring.

Travers also serves on the National Umpiring Committee, contributes on the diamond as a National Championships umpire, and has applied herself as the tournament Umpire in Chief at several NSW State Championships.

Along with an incredible body of umpiring work, Travers was awarded for her positive attitude, motivation, commitment and achievements within the sport and her local community.