After a fantastic season with Carine Cats in the inaugural Women’s Elite Series, Peyton Newman has taken up a new opportunity, heading to Quebec to compete in the Canada East League.
The all-women’s competition started with two months of specialised training in March, leading into a 10-week, 30-game tournament with four teams from across Canada and overseas.
“This is the first time I am playing overseas and I’m excited to see the different ways in which people play the game and the different cultures,” Peyton said.
Peyton was 11 when she started playing baseball, introduced to the sport through her mum’s side of the family.
“Both of my uncles were big baseballers. My grandad coached multiple state teams and my nana is a life member of Baseball WA, so I was raised around it and I started Tee-Ball when I was 7,” Peyton said.
“The Women’s Elite Series gave me a chance to participate in a competitive grade against women of high skill levels and along with my other teams gave me more at-bats and reps and more opportunities.”
In 2023, Peyton won gold at women’s nationals in her first year representing WA, and she learned a lot from playing alongside some of the best in Australia.
“Last year I also played for the Adelaide Giants Women’s Showcase team which was a massive step up for me that I was super grateful to be able to play in,” Peyton added.
“It’s always an honour to able to represent my state especially in a sport like baseball that has been such a big part of my life. I also think it’s really great to be able to display quality women’s sport at a national level.”
Christopher St-Pierre, Perth Baseball Club’s pitching import for the 2024/25 season, reached out to Peyton about the Canada East League opportunity after watching her play. Fellow women’s baseballer Leah Cornish also took up the chance to play overseas and make amazing memories.
“There is undoubtedly a lot of talent in WA. Peyton and Leah are two of the many amazing young athletes with a lot of potential,” Chris said. “Their attitude and the efforts they put in, whether it’s training, a Women’s Elite or a Big League/Reserves game doesn’t go unnoticed.
“They play the game the right way and are eager to learn. It’ll be a great life experience and baseball is just what opens the door. They will grow from it, make lifelong friendships and amazing memories. Timing was right and they deserve this opportunity!”
Peyton was thrilled to see Canada for the first time, and up for the challenge of playing in Quebec where most people speak French. There will be some tough competition, too.
“The league has some of Canda’s top national players, which will be a really good opportunity to see some of the best in women’s baseball as well as challenge myself to compete,” she added.
“I believe it will help me gain more knowledge on how international players approach the game as well as expose me to high performance training programs.”
Peyton is hopeful for more opportunities to play overseas in the future, wherever women’s baseball is available. She also has her sights set on playing in a World Cup.
“I hope that women’s baseball in Australia becomes a more talked about sport, that is appreciated and respected to the same level as the men’s,” Peyton said. “I also hope for more funding and development of younger athletes to hopefully create a professional Australian League one day.”
Peyton is excited that this trip will showcase new possibilities for women in baseball and that there are opportunities to play internationally and at higher levels.
For younger players following in her footsteps, she has some great advice.
“You miss all the opportunities you don’t take,” Peyton said. “Baseball is a sport based off failure and its really easy to let that get to you, but you can’t succeed if you don’t try.”
Congrats and all the best to Peyton and Leah!