Great Britain Women have added an additional player to their extended roster – and she is hoping to be an inspiration for other women in sport.
Kath Armstrong was a reserve player for the squad that won the WBSC Women’s Baseball European Championship 2025 and has now made her return to the team after giving birth to her first son in January.
Even though she was not able to make it to Spring Training in Amsterdam, the pitcher and outfielder managed to impress the coaches enough during Winter Training in November and December as well as on the first game day of the Women’s Baseball League to add her to the roster.
“As soon as I found out I was pregnant I knew I didn’t want to give up who I was after becoming a mother”, she said.
“It was hard having to step away from the sport I love and I knew I wanted to do whatever I could to come back to baseball.”
To make her comeback easier, Kath stayed active during her pregnancy and returned to light exercising and yoga not long after giving birth before starting to attend baseball training again.
“Giving birth was such an empowering experience”, Kath explained.
“It was the strongest I have ever felt and I felt like if I could do that, I could do anything, so I thought to myself why not try to come back now?
”I’d like to show all women in sport that it’s still possible to love your body and your sport after giving birth and that you don’t have to choose between being a mother and an athlete – you can be both. It’s hard but it’s possible”, she added.
At the moment, she goes to the gym twice a week, trains with the Herts Harriers on Tuesdays and plays games on the weekends.
However, Kath stressed that she does not strive for perfection and that her son is her priority.
“It’s so hard to get away sometimes as he’s so young. If I don’t end up going, it’s something I try to not dwell on too much. I reset and tell myself that I’ll continue tomorrow”, she said.
“My partner has been incredibly supportive and everyone on the team has been really understanding.
“They are great with my son when he comes along – the team and coaches are always up for cuddles.
“I really love having him there and he really seems to enjoy it too”, she laughed.
Kath’s next goal is making GBs final roster for the Women’s Baseball World Cup Qualifiers in Taiwan at the end of August.
If she makes the team, her partner and son will travel with her to support her and make sure they are not separated for too long.
The top three teams from GB’s qualifiers group will advance to the World Cup in Rockford, Illinois, USA in July 2027.