In this episode, Amy McCann speaks with Laura Bailes about the upcoming 2025 Women's Euro Championships. They discuss the excitement surrounding the tournament, the growth of women's baseball in the UK, and the dynamics of the Great Britain team as they prepare for the competition. Laura shares insights on the team's preparation, the mix of returning players and rookies, and the strategies they are employing, including the use of data and mental preparation. The conversation also touches on team spirit, the importance of visibility for women's sports, and the support from fans and family.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Women's Baseball and Team Vibes 02:25 Laura Bailes: Journey to Great Britain Baseball 04:43 Team Preparation and Commitment 08:01 Mix of Experience: Rookies and Veterans 10:44 Mental Game and Team Dynamics 11:40 British Style of Play and Strategy 13:51 Data-Driven Approach to Baseball 15:11 Team Playlist and Dugout Vibes 16:57 Goals and Aspirations for the World Cup 18:19 Support and Community Engagement

Guess what? WBIP is heading on a Euro trip!

That’s right, the 2025 Women’s Baseball European Championship kicks off this week. This is the third edition of the tournament, which started in 2019 and was last held in 2022.

From August 14 to 17, the beautiful town of Hluboká in the Czech Republic will be the centre of women’s baseball in Europe.

Four national teams will take the field, battling not just for continental bragging rights, but also for a spot at the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup.

So, who’s in the mix?

We have France — the two-time defending champions. Czechia — the hometown heroes. The Netherlands — regulars on the World Cup stage. And Great Britain — chasing their breakthrough moment.

Over four days, these teams will face off, with the top two meeting in the championship final on August 17.

Though the tournament is still young, it’s already packed with stories.

Back in 2019, France took gold over Great Britain, with Czechia claiming bronze. In 2022, France defended their title convincingly, beating Czechia 13–3 in the final. The Netherlands grabbed bronze, and Great Britain finished fourth.

So, as we look ahead to 2025, the big questions are:

• Can France make it three in a row?
• Will the Netherlands return to the World Cup for the sixth time?
• Can Czechia seize the crown on home soil?
• Or will Great Britain finally clinch their debut World Cup spot?