Over a fantastic three months, Softball NSW hosted the 2023 State League competition at Blacktown International Sportspark featuring outstanding and competitive softball from an array of talented softballers across both the Men's and Women's competitions. 

Participating Men's Teams - Dolphins, Dungbeetles, Mounties, Thunderbirds, Thurabredz, Titans, Tropics and United. 

Participating Women's Teams - Hills, Manly Eagles, Mounties, Northern Storm, Norwest Wolves, Panthers and Sharks. 

Men's Grand Final 

The 2023 Men's State League Grand Final featured both Thurabredz and Dolphins with Thurabredz seeking to continue their dominance in the competition while Dolphins had the momentum with thrilling wins over Mounties and Tropics to enter the Grand Final full of confidence. The Men's Grand Final didn't disappoint right from the outset with both teams producing thrilling and exciting softball throughout the game. Dolphins started to flex their muscle pulling out to an 8-3 lead at the bottom of the fourth inning. However, Thurabredz weren't to be denied and came roaring back into the match producing the comeback of the ages to draw level 9-9 at the bottom of the seventh after some excellent batting and fielding to leave the crowd in suspense as we headed to a tiebreaking inning. Both teams continued to wow the crowd and couldn't be separated throwing every last ounce of energy they had to win the game. In the end, there could only be one winner with Thurabredz edging out Dolphins 11-10 in a tiebreaker which both teams should be proud of their efforts. 

Men's State League Grand Final Coverage by Spacequake Sports found here: 

Men's Grand Final Umpires 

Plate - Leanne Gearside 

First Base - Claire Austring 

Third Base - Andrew Birks 

Men's Final Placings 

Champions: Thurabredz 

Runners Up: Dolphins 

3rd Place - Tropics 

4th Place - Mounties 

5th Place - Dungbeetles 

6th Place - United 

7th Place - Thunderbirds 

8th Place - Titans

Men's State League Player Awards 

Best Batter Award - Ethan Field (Mounties) 

Best Pitcher Award - Jack Besgrove (Tropics) 

Most Valuable Player Award - Hayden Mathews (Thurabredz) 

Rookie of the Tournament - Jeremy Waters (Mounties) 

Women's Grand Final 

Following on from a fantastic and memorable Men's State League Grand Final, the 2023 Women's State League Grand Final featured rivals Northern Storm and Manly Eagles. Both teams were brimming with confidence with Northern Storm asserting their dominance in the competition to win straight through to the Grand Final while Manly Eagles defeated both Sharks and Mounties to secure their spot. The Grand Final was full of momentum swings, excellent batting and pitching with both teams producing a fantastic contest for the crowd to witness. In the end, Northern Storm found an extra gear and pulled away from Manly Eagles to take the honours 2-0 in a fantastic game of softball and round out a scintillating afternoon and evening of Grand Final softball. 

Women's State League Grand Final coverage by Spacequake Sports found here:

Women's Grand Final Umpires 

Plate: Matthew Beach 

First Base: Marc Roberts 

Third Base: Kylie Diaz 

Women's Final Placings 

Champions: Northern Storm 

Runners Up: Manly Eagles 

3rd Place - Mounties 

4th Place Norwest Wolves 

5th Place - Sharks 

6th Place - Panthers 

7th Place - Hills 

Women's State League Player Awards 

Best Batter Award - Michelle Cox (Manly Eagles) 

Best Pitcher Award - Kandra Lamb (Norwest Wolves) 

Most Valuable Player Award - Stacey McManus (Sharks) 

Rookie of the Tournament - Maya Gillies (Sharks) 

Softball NSW would like to thank all volunteers, staff, athletes, team management, and attendees who made the 2023 State League Tournament a great success. For any further information in relation to the event, please contact Softball NSW Events & Facilities Coordinator Aimee Sutton via events@softballnsw.org.au or Softball NSW Media Marketing and Content Officer Angus Hewitt at media@softballnsw.org.au.