Great Britain Unveils National Team Roster for 2023 World Cup

The British Softball Federation announced on Monday the 16 players and three alternates for the Great Britain Women’s Senior National Fastpitch Team that will represent Great Britain at the 2023 Softball World Cup in Dublin, Ireland.

The team, led by head coach and D1Softball co-editor Tara Henry, will face world No. 1 USA, No. 3 Chinese Taipei, No. 9 Australia, No. 17 Ireland and No. 43 Botswana in Pool A of the World Cup. An additional 12 countries will compete in Group B and Group C, played in Valencia, Spain and Castions di Strada & Buttrio, Italy, respectively.

Roster selection took place following a four-day trial camp held in Stillwater, Oklahoma hosted by Oklahoma State University. Athletes were selected in accordance with the British Softball Federation’s selection policy, approved by the Great Britain Management Committee of the BSF.

“The trials at Oklahoma State University begins our process of establishing a culture of excellence. Seeing the potential of the youth on the roster partnered with returning veterans, we cannot wait to build standards to develop this team,” Henry said. “It is our expectation that all stakeholders — players, coaches, and supporters — will focus on a process and work ethic that pushes all limits. Great Britain will be ready to compete at the 2024 Softball World Cup, but this is just one more step to put Great Britain in the top echelon of softball teams in the world.”

The World Cup roster returns 12 players from last year’s silver-medal winning European Women’s Championship team, including 2022 NCAA Pitcher of the Year Georgina Corrick of the University of South Florida and tournament offensive leaders Kendyl Scott and Tia Warsop. Corrick, who threw a no-hitter against Germany during the 2022 Europeans, headlines a group of 12 current, former or future NCAA Division I players, including Oklahoma State commit Warsop, Old Miss standout Tate Whitley and returning outfielder and UCLA alum Alana Snow.

Five players have been named to the Great Britain Softball roster for the first time, including Whitley, 2021-22 Wisconsin Gatorade High School Player of the Year Paytn Monticelli and former Nashville Music City World Series champion Mackenzie Langan. The average player age for the World Cup Roster is just 22 years old, despite 14 of the 19 members of the roster and reserve list having represented Great Britain previously at the senior level.

“Our recent performance trajectory is extremely positive, and I am confident that this group of players and staff can continue that,” Great Britian head of performance Gary Anderson said. “We are building an environment and culture whereby these players can become the very best versions of themselves both on and off the field of play. We have a tough group to negotiate in Dublin, but it is a challenge we are all relishing.”

In addition to announcing the roster, Great Britain also completed its coaching staff by adding Patrick Lewis, who is a current coach with the Bombers Fastpitch organization. Lewis will serve as the bench coach on Henry’s staff. Linda Derk is the lead assistant, Lincoln Martin is the hitting coach and Jen Schroeder is the battery coach.

Great Britain will hold training camp in the United Kingdom starting July 2 at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow and the National Baseball & Softball Complex at Farnham Park in Farnham Royal. Training Camp will be highlighted by the Royal Spark Challenge, a two-game exhibition series between Great Britain and the Oklahoma City Spark of the Women’s Professional Fastpitch League at Farnham Park. It’s the first time a professional softball team will be playing in the United Kingdom.