'The players here are the best': Showcase highlights baseball world talent

It runs alongside the world's first national Little League Girls Division Championships at Albert Park.

Nine international World Cup players from America, Canada and Japan have joined the best players from Australia for the showcase.

They play under the Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits and Victoria Aces banner from the Australian Baseball League.

"The players here are the best from Australia and around the world," broadcast manager Eric Balnar said.

"We have five starting players from Japan, who are the top ranked women's team in the world.

" Anna Kimbrell is from the states and is seven-time world cup representative.

"She's played professional baseball with the men and is a true legend and trailblazer of the game.

"Baseball Australia has partnerships around the world which helps get these players here."

The event has the distinction of running the first Little League Girls Division Championships.

"There has never been a national championship for little league girls anywhere in the world," Balnar said.

"America, Canada and Japan are very softball focused and they've been impressed that we've been able to do it.

"It's pretty exciting and it's perfect to line it up with the showcase event.

"Some of the players in the showcase are event coaching some of the little league teams."

Other players to watch this weekend include Canadian pitcher pitcher Raine Padgham.

Australian player Maddi Erwin first played in a Lismore Little League tournament in 2015 when it was a boys competition.

This week she returned with other Australian representatives who played at Albert Park as kids.

"Growing up I was the only girl on almost all of my club teams and the small number of chances I had to play with all the girls were some of my favourites, so to see these girls now get an opportunity to play in an all-girls team, in an all-girls tournament, is so cool and I'm excited about what this tournament will do for future generations," she said.

The Australian Women's Baseball Showcase received $200,000 in support from the NSW Government.

Games will continue over the weekend with the gold medal game on May 12.

Entry is free or you can livestream it on Baseball+ at www.theabl.com.au/baseballplus.