As the 9th edition of the Women’s Baseball World Cup fast approaches, it will be the first time the Australian Emeralds have not participated in the event. Never fear though, you can still follow some of your favourite Big Cat stars who will be representing other nations when the tournament kicks off on July 29 in Thunder Bay, Canada.
Six teams will compete at the World Cup, including six time and defending champions Team Japan, in addition to Canada, United States, Mexico, Chinese Taipei and Venezuela.
The club is excited to have one current Big Cats Women’s Program member and four alumni involved in Canada. The five talented women will be donning the colours of Team Japan, Team Canada, and Team USA. Their participation is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the strong foundation they have built over many years on and off the baseball field.
Risa Nakashima (Japan)
There are three Lions representing Team Japan. Head Coach Risa Nakashima has spent many years out in Australia wearing a Lions jersey. Playing both men’s and women’s baseball at the club. Risa began her connection with the Big Cats when she toured with Japanese club team Samurai back in the early 2000’s. Risa returned to Australia to play during three different seasons with the Big Cats, winning both men’s and women’s Premierships on her way.
She was also a pivotal player in the Springvale/Berwick Premiership back in 2009/10 playing alongside Jacinda Barclay where the two became great mates.
Affectionately known as ‘Nakkers’, Risa is held in high regard, one of the world’s top pitchers for many years, winning a number of World Cups on the mound during her time.
Beyond her playing career both here and in Japan, Risa was bound for more success. She played professional baseball for many years, even after retiring from the National Team, and has since coached Pro League and club teams in Tokyo.
In addition, Risa took on an assistant coaching role with Team Japan post-retirement and was then recruited as the Pitching Coach for the 2018 Emeralds Team who competed at the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Florida.
She went on to become Team Japan’s Head Coach during a difficult period where the global pandemic had a real impact. She never lost focus though, and has spent a long time preparing her players and her program for another tilt at the World Cup title in 2024.
Risa also spent time coaching with the Adelaide Bite and Adelaide Giants as part of the Australian Women’s Championships and as Head coach of the Giants for the first Women’s Showcase event held in Geelong. During her time in Melbourne, she also represented Victoria at multiple National Championships, winning a gold medal with the team on one occasion.
Shae Lillywhite (Japan)
Secondly, our very own Shae Lillywhite will don the Team Japan uniform. The unofficial Big Cats Women’s Program GOAT, Shae is the current team trainer for the Japanese National Team, ensuring the players are well looked after off the field in order to perform at the best on it. Shae is no stranger to World Cup competition, the longest serving member of the Emeralds, a career spanning more than 20 years.
Shae retired at the end of 2023 after representing Australia one final time at the World Cup qualifier event in Canada. Shae represented the Emeralds as a player at a phenomenal 8 World Cups + 1 World Cup Qualifier.
Kei Matsumoto (Japan)
Kei, like Risa, was part of the Japanese Club Team ‘Samurai’ that travelled to Springy in the early 2000’s. Kei was an outfielder who was the official import for the Springvale Division One team during the 2009/2010 season.
Kei has spent several years supporting her great friend Risa as part of the off-field support crew for Team Japan. Whilst in Australia Kei also spent time representing the Victorian team as part of the Women’s National Championships.
She has also been back to Australia many times and reconnected with a number of Big Cats mates along the way!
Anna Kimbrell (USA)
Repping the red, white and blue at World Cup level for her 7th World Cup, Anna Kimbrell or “y’all” as we like to call her, will suit up again as a catcher for Team USA. Anna has been a solid contributor for the USA team since her arrival back in 2008, helping the USA to bronze in 2008 (Japan) and 2010 (Venezuela), and then silver in 2012 (Canada) and 2014 (Japan).
Known for her consistency and toughness, Anna is a leader both on and off the field and is well-respected worldwide for her commitment to the game.
An import player for the Big Cats in 2018/19, Anna was much loved amongst all club members, playing in both the men’s and women’s ones. Unfortunately a broken nose meant Anna couldn’t catch in the grand final during her stay in Aus, but she speaks glowingly of her time with the Big Cats.
Anna has also represented the Victoria Aces on multiple occasions, including the most recent Showcase event held in Lismore earlier this year. She was also a member of the gold medal winning USA team that took out the 2015 Pan American Games.
Although y’all likes to come across as the tough American and is well-known for her baseball skills, some of our favourite memories of her were spending time off the baseball field. We still stay in touch and connect often.
Kate Psota (Canada)
Last, but certainly not least, Kate Psota rounds out our list of 4 Big Cats who will be part of the Women’s World Cup action in Thunder Bay. ‘Soda Pop’ has spent time out in Australia on a several occasions, but was the official import for the club during the 2012 season, playing in both the men’s and women’s teams.
Kate held down first base for the Canadian Women’s National Team for many years, including medals at multiple World Cups (two silver, four bronze), and a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
Sodes is a two-time Canadian National Team MVP (2009 and 2010), and has earned All-World selection on multiple occasions (2010 and 2012). One of the longest serving members in the history of the Canadian women’s program, Kate began her career way back in the early 2000’s at the same time as our very own Shae Lillywhite. Both have been great friends ever since and still speak regularly now.
Kate retired from the National team back in 2019 after the brilliant bronze medal performance for Canada at the 2018 Women’s World Cup where they defeated USA 8-5. Kate, along with veteran teammate Ashley Stephenson, had played in every Women’s Baseball World Cup since its inception in 2004. Since 2021, Kate has been part of the National Team coaching staff, initially in a showcase event before coaching as part of a Friendship Series in 2022. The past twelve months has seen her sharing her wisdom and experience with the next crop of Canadian stars as an Assistant Coach on the World Cup team, with high hopes for a medal push in 2024.
Not only known for her on-field prowess, Kate fit in well with Aussie life, enjoying social time with her mates and loving the outdoor adventures Australia had to offer. Kate also represented Victoria at the National Women’s Championships.
On behalf of the whole club, we wish Risa, Shae, Kate and Anna all the best as they battle it out for Big Cats bragging rights (well, maybe slightly more important things) in Thunder Bay from Monday. Their continued presence and leadership in baseball both on and off the field are a testament to their dedication to the game, and we hope that is not only a reflection of them as great people, but also of the strong community and supportive environment we strive to foster at our club.
As they take the field in Thunder Bay, we will be right there with them cheering them on. Go get em’ Big Cats!