Baseball SA Insider September 2026
Welcome to the September edition of the Baseball SA Insider!
This month, we’re celebrating the people and moments making an impact across South Australian baseball from our athletes taking their game across Australia and around the world, to exciting opportunities opening up for the next generation.
Inside this edition, catch up on our latest representative achievements, pathway announcements, Charter opportunities, coaching updates and everything you need to know as we head into another big summer of baseball.
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
September was another big month across Baseball SA, with preparations for the 2026–27 SABL season ramping up alongside plenty of action across our performance pathways, representative programs and coach development.
Behind the scenes, significant work has gone into preparing competitions, umpiring, facilities and operational systems for the season ahead. Fixtures have been finalised, Round 1 umpire appointments across Divisions 1–3 have been confirmed, and work has continued to strengthen communication, planning and processes across Baseball SA.
On the pathway front, South Australian baseball continues to make its mark nationally and internationally. From our young athletes representing Australia and earning opportunities with Major League Baseball, to preparations for the 2027 Australian Youth Championships and Charter Program, there has been plenty to celebrate.
2026-27 SABL
The countdown to another exciting summer of baseball is underway, with Baseball South Australia confirming fixtures for all competitions except Under 8s and Masters are now available online.
There are no changes to regular playing times for Youth, Women’s League or State League Divisions 4–6. State League Divisions 1–3 will see updated times, with single games scheduled for Division 3 at 9:00am, Division 2 at 11:45am and Division 1 at 3:00pm.
Across the eight double-header rounds, games will start at 9:00am (Div 3), 11:30am (Div 2), 2:00pm (Div 1 Game 1) and 4:30pm (Div 1 Game 2). Game 1 will be seven innings or 120 minutes, with Game 2 nine innings.
State League Division 1 will also bring night baseball to club grounds, with multiple games to be played under lights away from West Beach and Norwood for the first time.
The season begins in October, with State League on October 10, Youth and Women’s Division 1 on October 11, and Women’s Divisions 2–3 on October 16.
Competitions will break over Christmas before returning throughout January, with the State League resuming January 9.
The finals series begins from February 26, with Grand Finals taking place across March 12–21, 2027, culminating in the State League Division 1, 2 and 3 and Women’s Division 1 deciders.
2027 CHARTER PROGRAM REGISTRATIONS OPEN
The road to the 2027 Charter season has officially begun!
September saw Baseball SA open Player Trial Registrations and Coaching Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Charter Program.
Player trials will include data testing and multiple on-field assessment sessions, giving coaches the opportunity to evaluate technical skills, athletic ability, game awareness and coachability.
Coaching opportunities are also available across the program for Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Executive Officers.
Registrations and Expressions of Interest close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 1 November.
INTRODUCING THE 2027 SUMMER BASEBALL SERIES
Baseball SA has announced the new Summer Baseball Series, launching during the January 2027 school holidays.
Building on the 2026 Charter Baseball Showcase, the new Series expands the concept across two weeks and will provide players aged 9–16 with more opportunities to get on the diamond during the summer break.
The program will include a day of player testing and evaluation followed by nine days of games, with players receiving coaching, feedback and plenty of opportunities to develop their game.
While the Series will coincide with Charter trials, players do not need to be trialling for a Charter team to participate.
It’s about more baseball, meeting new teammates, learning from different coaches and having the opportunity to play and develop during the school holidays.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA ON THE WORLD STAGE
Four South Australians proudly represented Team Australia at the U15 Baseball World Cup in Mérida, Mexico.
Congratulations to:
Jack Bowden – Port Adelaide
Ollie Breach – Goodwood
Felix Oliver – Henley & Grange
Seb Watts – Sturt
Representing your country on the world stage is an incredible achievement, and we are extremely proud to see four South Australians wearing the green and gold.
SEVEN SOUTH AUSTRALIANS INVITED TO U18 SELECTION CAMP
South Australia was strongly represented at the Australian U18 Selection Camp, with seven SA athletes among the players invited from across the country.
Congratulations to:
Tommy Bird – Port Adelaide
Oliver Hayes – Woodville
Angus Hennessy – Sturt
Luke Kennedy – Goodwood
Harry Taintey – West Torrens
Taj Williams – Adelaide
Jack Wilton – East Torrens
The selection camp brought together some of Australia’s leading young baseball talent as players competed for opportunities to represent Australia at the next level.
A fantastic achievement for all seven athletes and another exciting sign for the future of South Australian baseball.
THREE SA PLAYERS HEAD TO MLB INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE SHOWCASE
Three of South Australia’s rising baseball talents were selected among just 11 Australians to travel to Arizona for Major League Baseball’s International College Showcase Tour.
Congratulations to:
Deakin Filko – Golden Grove Central Districts
Luke Kennedy – Goodwood
Harry Taintey – West Torrens
Running from 24 September to 2 October, the Australian contingent joined the MLB World Select Team and competed in front of college recruiters and professional scouts.
The showcase brought together 30 leading young prospects from nine countries, providing our SA athletes with an incredible opportunity to compete on an international stage and experience where baseball could take them next.
LIFTING PATHWAYS TO NEW HEIGHTS
In case you missed it, JPS Lifts are now the official partners of our Pathways Programs and we couldn't ask for a better team to help us elevate our future stars.
Specialising in residential and commercial lift design, sales, installation, modernisation, and service, JPS Lifts bring over 200 years of combined expertise.
Known for sky-high standards in reliability and customer service, JPS Lifts offer round-the-clock peace of mind with 24/7 support from local, qualified Adelaide technicians.
Whether it’s lifting people or programs, JPS Lifts are committed to moving South Australians upward and onward. Welcome aboard to the leading name in vertical transport!
2027 AYC COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED
Preparations are already underway for the 2027 Australian Youth Championships, with Baseball SA announcing the coaching staff who will lead our U16 and U18 teams.
U16 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Head Coach: Austin Gallagher
Assistant Coach: Matt Burns
Assistant Coach: Sam Streigert
U18 SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Head Coach: Chris Sims
Pitching Coach: Justin Clark
Assistant Coach: Josh Cakebread
Congratulations to all coaches appointed to represent South Australia.
Planning and preparations will continue over the coming months as our teams build towards the 2027 championships.
ADELAIDE SEAHORSES BRING HOME BRONZE
Our South Australian representatives travelled to Melbourne for the 2026 Barclay Cup, competing against teams from across Australia from 27 September to 3 October.
After a fantastic week of baseball, the Seahorses finished the tournament with a BRONZE MEDAL!
Congratulations to all of our athletes, coaches and support staff on representing South Australia with pride and bringing home some well-earned silverware.