In October 1982, Parry Field was opened for use for games by the West Australia Baseball League. In January 1983, the League advised TBAWA that there was to be a Country of Origin baseball game between baseballers from the United States of America who were playing in WA, and baseballers from Australia playing in WA, and asked if TBAWA could arrange an exhibition game of tee-ball prior to the game as a promotion of both tee-ball and baseball in WA.
The then President of TBAWA, Mr. Graham Johnson, agreed to this and other games as it was not only an excellent opportunity to show off tee-ball to the public, but to their sponsor, the Perth Building Society. Instead of simply having two teams from a club play, TBAWA put together top players from the State Championships teams to make up the teams for these exhibition matches. The 24 players were selected by picking 3 boys from each of the division A teams, 2 from the division B teams, and 1 from each of the division C teams from the Under 11 competition.
The teams were called PBS Cashcards and PBS Squirrels, and they played 6 fantastic games throughout the season at Parry Field in front of large crowds, which included representatives of the Perth Building Society who were suitably accommodated and refreshed in the Presidents Room at Parry Field, courtesy of the West Australian Baseball League.
Thus, Supersquad was born, promoting tee-ball in Western Australia through exhibition matches. Supersquad is responsible for advertising and displaying our great sport should be played in regard to ability, attitude, and commitment.
While Parry Field is no longer in use, and the West Australian Baseball League has been replaced by Baseball WA, Supersquad, too, has changed significantly to become what it is today. In 1991, girls were introduced to the ranks of Supersquad, and the selection process changed to have clubs nominate their most outstanding players to try out for a position within Supersquad.
All affiliated clubs may nominate their most outstanding players to attend tryouts at the beginning of each season. These tryouts are a fierce competition of talented tee-ball players going through throwing, catching, and batting drills in order to be selected to the season’s Supersquad. Once 24 players have been selected by a panel of judges, they are sorted into 2 even teams, known as Stealers and Sliders, and they begin training for the season’s games.
Supersquad activities includes an overnight team bonding camp where they get to know each other and go through some rigorous drills with the team coaches, plenty of training opportunities, exhibition games at Empire Ballpark before Perth Heat games in front of stadium and televised games, exhibition games at Softball WA’s State Championships in front of interstate visitors, and exhibition games at metropolitan club’s pre state carnivals in front of their peers. The season culminates with a game at the TBAWA State Championships in front of all clubs before presentations.
