The senior and U23 South African Women in Baseball teams were announced today, and they are now on the verge of turning a historic opportunity into reality as they prepare for their international tour to the United Kingdom from 29 May to 9 June 2026.
The initiative, led by Head of South African Women in Baseball and head coach of both teams Hayley Scott Maree, brings together two national touring sides — the senior team and the U23 side — as part of a broader long-term development pathway. Both teams will travel together, compete internationally, and gain exposure to elite environments that have previously been out of reach for South African women’s baseball.
The tour follows an official invitation from the British Baseball Federation to take part in a global Women in Baseball programme designed to connect and grow the women’s game. South Africa will share the field with top international opposition, including teams from the United States through the Baseball For All programme, as well as sides from the UK, France and the Czech Republic.
Preparation has been ongoing, with structured training programmes and continued development since the National Championships earlier this year. The squads are being built not only for immediate competition, but with a longer-term vision that includes future World Cup participation and sustained international engagement.
The tour will get underway in Bristol, where the South African sides are scheduled to train and compete on 30 and 31 May, including fixtures against Southwest Select and Sheffield/Manchester Select teams. The focus will then shift to London for training with the London Mets at Finsbury Park, participation in a Ladies Training Day, and an Evening League All-Stars game. The final phase will take place at Farnham Park as both teams prepare for the main Women in Baseball event weekend.
As a touring side, each athlete has been tasked with raising funds to cover their own costs, including travel, accommodation and preparation.
The Women in Baseball structure is requesting anyone who is able to support the tour to please assist by making a donation, big or small, using the official South African baseball fundraising platform on BackaBuddy via the following link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/south-africa-senior-womens-baseball-team-to-uk.
