5,000 Swings for the Great Britain Women’s National Baseball

Story

Hello – my name is Artie. I’m 28 years old, and I’m a baseball catcher who was recently selected to the Great Britain Women’s National Team extended roster. The team is going to be competing in the European Championships of women’s baseball in August, and I’m raising money to play in the tournament (and training hard) by taking 100 swings off a tee every day until the tournament. My baseball story I started playing baseball with the Bournemouth Bears in March 2021. At the time, I was still dealing with the fallout of the pandemic, and playing with the Bears was an incredible source of joy in a difficult time. Now I’m back on my feet, baseball continues to do so much for me, along with new friends and a new hobby, being a baseball player has given me confidence and courage to pursue my goals in life and has shown me how to persevere in the face of big challenges by making one out at a time! I was equally ecstatic and shocked when I was selected for GB women’s squad for the 2022 European Championships. The experience showed me the path to the next level of women’s baseball and fuelled me to push myself more. When I came home, I set myself the goal of one day starting an international match at catcher for Great Britain, and I have been chasing that goal for the last three years. I have been determined to pay forwards the amazing opportunities I’ve had with the GB program and have served the last two years as Women’s Development Officer for the South West and Wales Baseball League. The project I’m most proud of is setting up the South West Serpents, the first women’s team in the region. I’ve been training harder and learning more than I ever have, and I know that even if I don’t make the final selection, I’ll be a more competitive and nuanced baseball player because of the GB program. Whatever happens, I’m giving baseball everything I have this summer. I’m going to take 100 swings off the tee every single day until the Championships to raise money for the GB team. What will the money be used for? While the team is working to try and secure funding for the Championship, players currently have to self-fund their participation. The cost is £1,400 per player, which is to cover flights, accommodation and food for the tournament, and gear and apparel. I’m hoping to raise just over a third of this amount - £500 - to put towards the cost of the tournament. I was lucky enough to be awarded a baseball scholarship of £500 from Bournemouth University and I will use this along with my savings to cover the remaining costs. If I’m not selected for the final tournament roster, the money will be donated to the GB Women’s National Team to reduce the financial barrier for the team to play at this highest level.

Donation protected

Hello – my name is Artie. I’m 28 years old, and I’m a baseball catcher who was recently selected to the Great Britain Women’s National Team extended roster.

The team is going to be competing in the European Championships of women’s baseball in August, and I’m raising money to play in the tournament (and training hard) by taking 100 swings off a tee every day until the tournament.

My baseball story

I started playing baseball with the Bournemouth Bears in March 2021. At the time, I was still dealing with the fallout of the pandemic, and playing with the Bears was an incredible source of joy in a difficult time. Now I’m back on my feet, baseball continues to do so much for me, along with new friends and a new hobby, being a baseball player has given me confidence and courage to pursue my goals in life and has shown me how to persevere in the face of big challenges by making one out at a time!

I was equally ecstatic and shocked when I was selected for GB women’s squad for the 2022 European Championships. The experience showed me the path to the next level of women’s baseball and fuelled me to push myself more. When I came home, I set myself the goal of one day starting an international match at catcher for Great Britain, and I have been chasing that goal for the last three years.

I have been determined to pay forwards the amazing opportunities I’ve had with the GB program and have served the last two years as Women’s Development Officer for the South West and Wales Baseball League. The project I’m most proud of is setting up the South West Serpents, the first women’s team in the region.

I’ve been training harder and learning more than I ever have, and I know that even if I don’t make the final selection, I’ll be a more competitive and nuanced baseball player because of the GB program. Whatever happens, I’m giving baseball everything I have this summer. I’m going to take 100 swings off the tee every single day until the Championships to raise money for the GB team.

What will the money be used for?

While the team is working to try and secure funding for the Championship, players currently have to self-fund their participation. The cost is £1,400 per player, which is to cover flights, accommodation and food for the tournament, and gear and apparel.

I’m hoping to raise just over a third of this amount - £500 - to put towards the cost of the tournament. I was lucky enough to be awarded a baseball scholarship of £500 from Bournemouth University and I will use this along with my savings to cover the remaining costs.

If I’m not selected for the final tournament roster, the money will be donated to the GB Women’s National Team to reduce the financial barrier for the team to play at this highest level.