Master of Ceremonies, Softball Australia board director Fiona Crawford, said it all as she began her introduction of Stacey Porter - the first Indigenous member of the game's Hall of Fame: "And now, not least, the GOAT of softball in this country."

Porter was one of three players inducted at the ceremony on Sunday.

The Kamilaroi woman from Tamworth is considered the greatest of all time in Australia.

Joyce Lester OAM, who, like Porter, captained Australia across 12 years, regards the latest inductee as one of the world's greatest batters.

"When I coach, I often tell young athletes to not want to be as good as a famous athlete, but to be better than them, and then I always say unless it is Stacey Porter that you are wanting to try and emulate," she said.

Kerry Wyborn also paid a tribute to her former Olympic teammate, and fellow 2004 silver medalist and 2008 bronze medalist, ahead of the Australia Cup grand final in Brisbane between the Aussie Spirit and Japan, a tournament which also involved New Zealand over four consecutive days

"This recognition cements her legacy as one of the greats, and we just couldn't be any prouder to celebrate her, and everything she's given to the sport and to the Indigenous community," Wyborn said.

Softball Australia say the honour celebrates Porter's excellence, longevity, leadership and extraordinary contribution.

Porter's career for the national side alone has been remarkable; a testament to not only her talent, but also to her resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment.

"You certainly don't dream about a Hall of Fame speech when you first pick up a softball," Porter responded to the tributes.

"I just wanted a bat in my hand to hit the ball as hard as I could."

Spanning two decades from 2002 to 2021, she represented the nation 446 times on the world stage, listed as the second most-capped Australian sportsperson, just shy of hockey great Eddie Ockenden's 451 caps for the Kookaburras.

Porter has competed at three Olympic Games: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020 - in addition to attending six straight World Cup campaigns from 2006 until 2018.

"I feel an enormous amount of gratitude for my time with the Aussie Spirit and everything this game has given me: the pressure moments, the laughs, the friendships, the heartbreaks, and the absolute privilege of representing Australia for my culture and my people, alongside those very special girls," Porter said.

"Those memories will stay for me forever."

Porter became emotional, pausing momentarily, at the mention of support from family and friends.

It was back in the day when as a child she suffered from Perthes disease - where the hip socket does not form properly and running is relatively painful - once forcing Porter to stand out of all sport for two years.

"To my beautiful parents, who are no longer with us, they were always the best softball parents, they were always encouraging, always loving, but tough when it was needed," she said.

The world‑class slugger that has fielded on first or third base has gone on to inspire generations of Aboriginal women and girls.

Softball Australia is planning to launch a new Indigenous youth initiative later this year that will bear Porter's name.

The 43-year-old, who plays club games in Brisbane during the Australian summer months, is still earning a living in the renowned Japan Diamond Softball League ahead of a season return come March.

"I've spent 19 years of my career in Japan - I'm trying to get to a 20th as well - and it was a really nice vibe for me to have them there that we've shared and battled so much to have that moment with them," she told National Indigenous Times.

"They were really lovely as well and they wanted to have a photo with me."

Porter's Japanese teammates and league rivals lined the first baseline during the induction, as a mark of respect for the Australian GOAT, as she modestly tried to play down the accolade.

"I have heard that term about me," she said.

"I don't know - I don't see myself as the greatest because we play a team sport, so arguably it could be anyone.

"It's super nice to hear, though - I just play for the love of the game and whatever comes along is really special to me."