Softball Australia is proud to work with Softball ACT, Softball NSW and Softball Macarthur to support the return of the Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout as part of a festival of four international events in late 2023.

Beginning with the Softball ACT Women’s and Men’s Skins this November, moving to Softball Macarthur in southern Sydney for the Fastpitch Shootout, and finishing with the U-23 Women’s National Championship in December in South Australia, our nation’s fastpitch specialists will come together with international teams to showcase the best that softball has to offer.

While many in the softball community have experienced the excitement of the Softball ACT Women’s and Men’s Skins events, the return of the Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout after a 21-year hiatus will be a welcome addition to the calendar. The Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout (December 1-3) will feature some of the most skilled and dedicated players across men’s and women’s divisions, with talent from across the country and abroad coming to Camden, NSW for the event. 

In addition to three days of exciting softball, the Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout will also feature several other activities that make it a must-attend event for the whole family. A key fixture of the event will be the ‘Schools Day’ which will bring together students from the local area to enjoy the final event of a five-week in-school participation program along with ‘Saturday at the Shootout’ which includes a high tea event and fundraising for the Scott Rindfleish Foundation.

To cap the event off, ‘Championship Sunday’ is a day of celebration, with a focus on the final day of competition and the culmination of "Softball's Annual Reunion" - a celebration of the sport's legacy, with almost 50 years of history in Southwestern Sydney. 

The Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout is strategically placed to:

• Build on ACT Women’s and Men’s Skins events, to be held at Hawker International Softball Centre in the two weeks preceding;
• Allow international based players and teams a chance to return and participate during a favourable window; and,
• Provide a lead-in competition to the 2023 U-23 Women’s National Championships held in South Australia from 12-17 December.

Softball Australia is thrilled to collaborate with Softball NSW, Softball ACT and Softball Macarthur to deliver this performance, profile, and community-building carnival. which highlights the importance of promoting and developing softball at all levels. 

CEO of Softball Australia, Rosie Williams OBE, confirmed the importance of the new alignment. “With this set of incredible events providing a high level of competition, we’re opening our calendar up to international teams and athletes to participate and further their abilities. I’m glad that we’ve been able to come to an agreement here to build this together, and I know the whole softball community in Australia will get behind it.”

Mark Long, Tournament Director, Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout expressed his gratitude, saying “We thank Softball Australia, Softball NSW and Softball ACT for their support and cooperation to bring this event back as part of a broader slate of events. The addition of a women's event at the same venue on the same weekend will showcase the best in our sport, including our own Aussie Steelers World Championship captain, James Todhunter, and Olympian/ NCAA-Washington Husky alumna Gabbie Plain playing at home at Rotary Cowpasture Reserve in Camden (located 1 hour from Sydney).”

Softball NSW CEO, Stuart Clark, is delighted to see the return of Macarthur Softball Association's community driven event. “The Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout is a wonderful opportunity to deliver a high-quality event showcasing elite softball as well as providing a community platform to further grow Softball in NSW. We are always keen to support great community initiatives and I am happy that Softball Australia and the ACT have agreed to support as well."

"Mark Long and the Macarthur Softball Association should be congratulated for their dedication and hard work to bring this event to the community of Macarthur and its surrounds. The Shootout will showcase some of the best talent from around Australia and we look forward to working with all parties over the coming months.”

Georgia Carpenter, ACT State Operations Manager, expressed her appreciation of the expansion of pathways for elite softballers and officials. "Softball ACT are excited about the collaboration with Softball Australia, Softball NSW and Macarthur Softball Association, that will provide an enhanced high-level of softball for both the men's and women’s players and officials, through this festival of softball."

Important Dates and Details:

• Women’s skins – 17–19 November 
• Men’s Skins – 24–26 November 
• Macarthur Fastpitch Shootout – 1–3 December 
• U23 Women’s National Championships – 12-17 December