2026 IWBC Hustle Award Announcement
Today, February 22, 2026, as we celebrate our 11th Founders Day, we are proud to announce
Amy McCann as the winner of the Shirley Burkovich “Hustle Award.”
This prestigious award, bestowed by the International Women’s Baseball Center in honor of
beloved Rockford Peaches player, Shirley “Hustle” Burkovich, celebrates an individual who
demonstrates outstanding commitment, leadership, and dedication to the empowerment of
women in all aspects of baseball and life.
Amy is a member of Team Australia Emeralds Alumni and six-time World Cup representative.
She exemplifies commitment and leadership through a lifetime of service to women and girls in
the game. Amy has been an athlete, mentor, story-teller, and community builder.
As her nomination declares “Her work is grounded in a simple belief: you can’t be what you
can’t see. Everything she does is focused on making women’s baseball more visible, valued
and viable.”
Her career in baseball includes representing Australia at six Women’s World Cups, winning
silver and bronze medals, and winning gold in the 2002 World Series. She was selected to two
All-World teams, and was named Baseball Australia Female Player of the Year in 2006. Amy
has played more than 350 club games and has 20 plus years contributing to state and local
programs.
Amy founded Women’s Baseball – The Inside Pitch (WBIP) a website dedicated to women’s
baseball, featuring news and information .about women in the game. She also produces and
hosts the WBIP podcast, featuring over 60 episodes highlighting players and their stories.
For nearly two decades, she has coached and mentored both junior and senior athletes and has
developed several baseball programs including planning and delivery of the Legacy Girls Rising
Stars Program. She is currently a lead coach with Team Legacy Sports Australia.
Amy is driven by a genuine desire to make the game better for the next generation. In words
from her nomination, “ Like Shirley Burkovich, Amy’s impact is defined by quiet, consistent
effort. She builds things. She creates spaces, She opens doors. And she leaves women’s
baseball better than she found it.”
Congratulations again, Amy.
We congratulate the all the nominees and thank them for their contributions.
Perry Lee Barber, is an exemplary, legendary umpire and teacher of umpiring. Perry is a warrior
leader for women in baseball, for former players, and the youth. She is so humble and
kindhearted …we all deeply love her. She’s included in the Hall of Fame, a Jeopardy Champion,
and supports women every chance she gets.
Donna Eden Cohen has given and continues to give, her all to women in sports. She has been
supporting women in baseball from a legal perspective and she always shows up. To say
nothing of her commitment to Maybelle. Donna is brilliant, generous and kind. She is also
tirelessly fierce in her fight to bring women in baseball to the forefront.
Chelsey Falzone is the Youth Empowerment Manager for the Minnesota Twins, and has
devoted her career to providing opportunities for young players, particularly girls. Chelsea is
dedicated and eloquent advocate for girls’ baseball, as she radiates positivity and achieves
success in creating these opportunities. She helped create the first 14U girls baseball tam
sponsored by MLB.
Bethany Rado has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to girls’ and women’s baseball
throughout her entire life. She is a positive, inspiring presence to everyone she encounters and
consistently leads with integrity, passion, and purpose. A lifelong member of the Slaterettes –
Bethany has been involved since her t-ball days. She transitioned seamlessly from player to
leader, now serving as coach and President of the board. Bethany is deeply dedicated to
empowering young women on and off the field, ensuring that future generations of girls have
the opportunities, support, and confidence to thrive in baseball and in life.
Gloria Rogers, an AAGPBL player and Rockford Peach, never turns down an event to help for
females in sports. She has made personal appearance, done phone interview, talks at girls’
sports events and events like the Cal Ripkin/Jackie Robinson camp in Florida. She has attended
RedSox fantasy camps, panel discussions at the MLB AllStar game in Texas. She has also
received the June Peppas Award and many thanks from the people she has supported.