If successful, the Cavalry women’s side will play at MIT Ballpark. File photo.
Canberra Cavalry always had a strong interest in placing a bid for a women’s team in the inaugural Australian Baseball League women’s competition, but director Daniel Amodio said the club wanted to make sure their bid could be the best it could be.
The Cavs have submitted a proposal to be a part of the new league, with the competition set to run as early as February if teams are finalised in time. If granted a license, the women’s side would use the same facilities the men’s team uses at MIT Ballpark but will have their own coaching staff and general manager.
“It was a no brainer really but we gave it a bit of thought because if we are going to do this, we wanted to do it right,” Amodio said. “There is a big fear about doing something like this because you only get one chance to get it off the ground.
“We needed to make sure it is a right fit and internally being able to commit the right amount of resources to make this work. It was pretty clear this is something that we wanted to do.”
Women’s baseball in Canberra has struggled in recent years but Amodio hopes the capital’s involvement in a female national baseball league will reignite the sport.
“This will be a really important thing for growing participation in women’s baseball,” he shared. “Women’s baseball has been pretty stagnant and in fact, their competition folded last year so we think this will really give women an opportunity to play.
“There is a really strong core of women’s baseball players in Canberra who are now playing on men’s teams. Giving these women a chance to showcase their abilities will help inspire more young girls to pick up a bat and give baseball a try.”
The Cav’s ABL-W bid is backed by major sponsor CFMEU, who have committed to growing women’s baseball in Canberra and will join as a sponsor of the inaugural ABL-W team.
Amodio believes that the competition is just what both Canberra and baseball in the capital needs and is dedicated not only to provide an opportunity for female players but also for coaching staff.
“The Canberra Cavalry has been a very strong organisation, both on and off the field, and we feel like the market is ready for another team to represent Canberra in a national women’s competition,” he said.
“Hiring female coaching staff will be a key for us and hire a general manager for the women’s team. First and foremost, it’s about finding the right fit and the right person but I don’t think we will have any problem finding a good female candidate for any and all of the roles.”
The ABL’s announcement of successful teams is expected later this year.
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