March 8^th is International Women’s Day, and Softball Australia would like to take the opportunity to recognise and celebrate women’s involvement in the sport.

Australian women have been a central tenet of softball from its earliest days, with Esther Deason playing a key role in the early administration of the sport, assisting in the organisation of the 1965 Softball World Championship.

Esther also sat on the first Executive Board of the International Softball Federation, and was part of a golden era for women in the sport. She was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame in 1994.

Rosemary Adey OAM, Audrey McLaughlin AM, and Margo Koskelainen OAM have also all contributed to the administration of the game at both national and international level.

47 women have represented Australia on the Olympic stage, and of the four players to have medalled at four different Olympic Games, three are Australian: Tanya Harding, Natalie Ward, and Melanie Roche.

Stacey Porter is also the most capped female player in international softball, having played 446 games for Australia, including three Olympic Games and six World Championships, and Australia has 27 females in WBSC/ISF International Hall of Fame.

Women from other countries are also deserving of recognition for their contributions to the sport.

During the 1950s and 60s, Bertha Tickey of the USA dominated the diamond, finishing with a lifetime record of 757 wins and 88 losses, including 162 no-hitters.

Softballers Ivelisse Echevarria (PUR, 1996), Maria Soto (VEN, 2008) and Lai Sheng-Jung (TPE, 2008) have led their country’s delegation at Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and along with rhythmic gymnastics and synchronised swimming, softball is one of three women-only disciplines in the Olympics.

Softball Australia CEO Rossie Williams OBE said, “International Women’s Day is a proud day for our sport. Our Aussie Spirit are role models for aspiring female athletes, and softball is one of the few sports in Australia where female representation exceeds that of men. We are proud of the legacy of women in our sport, and we are committed to providing more opportunities for women in the future.”

From our 1965 World Champion team to our current players, officials, and administrators, we are thankful to all women for their involvement in the sport.

Click here to see the complete list of Softball Australia Hall of Fame and Life Members.

Click here for more information on International Women’s Day.

Images featuring the Victorian Under-16 Girls State Team courtesy of Softball Victoria.