SCHOOL BASEBALL STARS BATTLE FOR STATE HONOURS

School baseball stars from all over Queensland will converge on Runcorn this week for the Queensland School Sport 18 years-and-under baseball state championships.

Teams from several Queensland regions will contest the championships at the Southside Indians Baseball Field in Runcorn from this Thursday 19 April until Sunday 22 April.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the young baseball stars had been selected from thousands of hopefuls to represent their region at state level.

"Around 130 students will compete at the four-day tournament, and I want to congratulate the players on their selection and wish them every success on the field," Mr Welford said.

"It's a great opportunity for these young athletes to compete at a high level while meeting and sharing experiences with their peers from across the state.

"I would also like to thank our dedicated teachers and school staff who have given considerable time and effort to make the championships a success."

Mr Welford said seven of Queensland’s 12 sporting regions would field teams at this year's championships – Metropolitan East, Metropolitan West, Metropolitan North, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, South Coast, and Peninsula.

“There will also be a special ‘invitational’ team made up of representatives from the Northern region and shadow players from other regions competing at the event,” he said.

“Teams will be divided into two round-robin pools, with the top four teams from the preliminary rounds playing off in the championship pool.”

At the conclusion of the event, 16 players will be selected to represent Queensland at the School Sports Australia Baseball Championships in Geelong next month.

A Queensland country team with 16 players also will be selected for the Barrier Reef Tournament in Cairns in August.

Media Contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000