Sarah Kelly quits as Baseball SA general manager after revealing ‘abuse’ by fans and members, takes ‘exciting opportunity’ with Golf Australia

A week after revealing a “tirade” of harassment and abuse from fans and club members toward her staff, Baseball SA’s general manager has quit in favour of a more ‘exciting opportunity.’

Baseball SA General Manager Sarah Kelly has stepped down from her role a week after blasting members of the baseball community for persistent abuse of the sporting body’s staff.

The experienced GM – who had been with the baseball body for three years – aired her thoughts on a “lack of respect” for her and her staff, detailing a “tirade” of phone calls, social media comments and game-day abuse from the community in a statement calling for a change to the sport’s culture last week.

“It is with great sadness that the board of Baseball SA announce that Sarah Kelly has resigned from her position as general manager,” Catt said.

Baseball SA GM Sarah Kelly (middle, right) has stepped down a week after detailing the community’s harassment of her staff. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“Leading the team at Baseball SA with professionalism and passion, Sarah has moved our sport forward and is leaving us in an overall strong position.

“Running a small sporting organisation through the unprecedented global pandemic is something no one can be prepared for and Sarah’s main priority was always to keep our community safe and, where possible, playing the game we all love.”

Kelly will take on a new role at Golf Australia in four weeks, and said her decision to step down was due to that opportunity, not in relation to the harassment revealed last week.

“My move to Golf Australia was because I saw an exciting opportunity present itself and is not linked to my statement addressing culture last week,” Kelly said.

“I am leaving after years of implementing positive change through good governance practices, new systems and review of policies and procedures.”

Catt added Kelly had his complete backing.

“She has my absolute, 100 per cent support, and she’s been nothing but fantastic for Baseball SA,” he said.