Softball is played in South Australia.
Softball saw a "benefit" in the bombing of Darwin and the inclusion of Australia in World War II in terms of bringing in American military personnel who brought softball with them to this state. [1] The state federation was one of the foundation federation members of the Australian Women's Softball Council in 1949. [2] [3] During the 1950s and 1960s, the Northern Territory did not have a territory organisation despite the sport being played in the territory. Because of this, the national association allowed teams and players from Alice Springs and Tennant Creek to align themselves with the South Australian association. [4] In 1971, there were 203 South Australian based teams affiliated with the state organisation, 312 in 1975, 353 in 1976, 209 in 1977, 397 in 1978, 532 in 1983 and 580 in 1984. [5] The state association is involved with Softball Australia's Play Ball programme and is working to increase junior participation in the sport in their state. [6]
South Australia won the Mack Gilley Shield in 1956. [2] [7] Between 1957 and 1994, they did not win another championship. [7] The state hosted the Mack Gilley Shield in Adelaide in 1951, 1956, and 1962. [2]
Adelaide was the home to Australia's third international competition ready softball diamond, complete with lights. It was built in 1984. [8]
Some softball players from this state have played softball for American universities, which depleted the level of high quality players available for local, state and international competitions. They include Tracey Mosley who played for Oklahoma City University starting in 1991 and Natalie Kulas who played for Oklahoma City University starting in 1993. [9]
Players from South Australia on the national team include Vanessa Stokes. [10]
In 1944, the state baseball association created a men's softball competition but this league quickly folded. A second serious attempt was made to create a South Australian men's team in 1974 with support from the women's softball association. The team largely drew players from the American community who worked at the Woomera Rocket Range. They would play exhibition matches against the South Australian women's team in preparation for the national championships. [11] In 1982, there were 11 men's open teams in South Australia. [12] In 1985, Australia had an unofficial test team of all starts who played against the New Zealand national team in Melbourne. Team members from South Australia included A. Oldfather Jr, and A. Oldfather Sr. [13]
The Gilleys Shield is a trophy symbolising the Open Women's Championship of the Softball Australia organisation. The competition's full name is the Mack Gilley Shield.
The Elinor McKenzie Shield is a trophy symbolizing the Under 19 Women's Championship of Softball Australia.
Softball in Australia is played in Australia.
Softball is played in Queensland .
Softball is played in New South Wales, introduced to the state in 1939. By 1984, there were 1,356 registered teams in New South Wales. Players from Australia have been on the men's and women's national team, had AIS scholarships, played at universities in the United States, and professionally in the USA, Japan and Europe.
Softball is played in the Australian state of Victoria.
Softball is played in Tasmania. The game was brought to the island during the late 1940s from Melbourne, Victoria. The sport would grow in popularity in Tasmania with 56 teams in 1976 to 216 in 1984. Men's softball is not popular in Tasmania. The first softball only facility was built in Tasmania in 1984.
Softball is played in Western Australia.
Softball is played in the Australian Capital Territory. The game was influenced early in its history in the territory by Queanbeyan. There are efforts to increase participation in the sport in the ACT. The territory has won the Gilleys Shield three times in a row. Players from Canberra have been on the national team, held Australian Institute of Sport scholarships and played for American universities.
Softball is played in the Northern Territory, Australia.
The Australia men's national softball team is the national softball team of Australia. They are nicknamed the Australian Steelers. The team is governed by Softball Australia and takes part in international softball competitions.
Zimbabwe men's national softball team is the national softball team for Zimbabwe. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. Australia beat Zimbabwe 2–0 in one game in this round.
Chinese Taipei men's national softball team is the national team for Chinese Taipei. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. Australia beat Chinese Taipei 2–0 in one game in this round. The 1992 World Championships, the eighth time the event was competed for, was held in Manila. Australia beat Chinese Taipei 9–2 in one game in the first round robin round. They finished with 4 wins and 4 losses. The team competed at the 1996 ISF Men's World Championship in Midland, Michigan where they finished with 4 wins and 6 losses. The team competed at the 2000 ISF Men's World Championship in East London, South Africa where they finished fifteenth.
The Virgin Islands men's national softball team is the top men's softball team for the territory of the Virgin Island.
Cuba men's national softball team represents Cuba in international softball competitions. The team played at the 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. They played 13 games in a round robin tournament, and beat Australia 7–4 in one game.
Guam men's national softball team is the national team for Guam. The 1992 World Championships, the eighth time the event was competed for, was held in Manila. Australia beat Guam 7–2 in one game in the first round robin round.
Czechoslovakia men's national softball team is the national team for Czechoslovakia.
Bahamas men's national softball team is the national team for Bahamas. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. They finished sixth overall. The team competed at the 1996 ISF Men's World Championship in Midland, Michigan where they finished with 5 wins and 5 losses.
The British Virgin Islands men's national softball team is the national team for the British Virgin Islands. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round, finishing twelfth overall.
Bermuda men's national softball team is the national team for Bermuda. The 1988 World Championships were held in Saskatoon, Canada. The team played 13 games in the round robin round. They finished thirteenth overall.
