View source for Australian Baseball League

{{About|the league started in 2010|the original league|Australian Baseball League (1989–1999)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2012}}

{{Infobox Sports league
| title          = Australian Baseball League (ABL)
| last_season    = 2013–14 Australian Baseball League season
| logo           = ABL-logo.jpg
| caption        = 
| Formerly       = [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|Australian Baseball League]]
| sport          = Baseball
| founded        = 2009
| motto          = 
| inaugural      = {{ABL season|2010–11}}
| teams          = [[#Current clubs|6]]
| country        = {{AUS}}
| continent      = [[Oceania]]
| champion       = {{ABL team|PER}} <small>({{ABL season|2013–14}}, 3rd title)</small>
| most_champs    = {{ABL team|PER}} <small>(3 titles)</small>
| website        = [http://www.theabl.com.au/ ABL]
| TV             = [[ESPN Australia|ESPN]] (Championship only)
| related_comps  = [[Claxton Shield]]<br>[[Asia Series]]
| Founder        = [[Australian Baseball Federation]] & [[Major League Baseball]]
| CEO            = Peter Wermuth
}}

The '''Australian Baseball League''' ('''ABL''') is a [[professional baseball|professional]] [[baseball]] [[sports league|league]] in [[Australia]]. The league is governed by the [[Australian Baseball Federation]] (ABF), and is jointly funded by the ABF, [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) and the [[Australian Federal Government]]. It uses the same name as a now [[defunct]] competition held during the 1990s, and though it shares some history of the [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|original league]] with the [[Claxton Shield]] awarded to winners of both competitions, it is considered to be a separate competition.

The current champions are the [[Perth Heat]].

Because the ABL's season takes place from November through February, the ABL has several players who also play in the [[Minor league baseball|minor leagues]] in North America, making it a [[Glossary of baseball (W)#Winter leagues|winter league]] (although it is summer in Australia when the season takes place.)

== Organisation ==
The ABL is jointly owned by [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] (75%) and the [[Australian Baseball Federation|ABF]] (25%). Rather than following more traditional models of the [[sports franchise|franchises]] being owned privately by individuals or organisations, the league is the owner of each team. One of the rationales for this structure is to closely manage the financial situation, helping to ensure that all teams are equally viable. It is expected that this arrangement will continue for at least the first five seasons: the period of time covered by the financial commitment made by MLB and the ABF.<ref name="abl faq"/>

As a result of the central ownership of the teams, all [[baseball positions|players]] are paid by the league. This is to ensure that no team receives an unfair advantage over any other with regards to financial success. The payscale has set a number of tiers which group players of similar experience levels, with all players in the same tier receiving the same pay. The ABL has considered the possibility of having one or two marquee players paid above the standard scale, though no final decision has been made with regard to this. One concern about high rates of pay expressed by the ABF was that it was a contributing factor, if not the main factor, in the failure of the previous [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|Australian Baseball League]]. ABF management has also expressed the concern that if this league were to fail, that there may never be another opportunity for professional baseball in Australia. So far the league has performed poorly receiving very little interest from the Australian public with crowds sometimes lower than 200.<ref name="abl faq"/>

The business model is heavily reliant on local team following as, for reason of distance, it is unlikely that away teams will attract significant fan followings other than Sydney-Canberra.

== History ==
{{see also | History of baseball outside the United States#Australia | l1=History of baseball in Australia}}

=== Original league ===
{{main | Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)}}

The original Australian Baseball League commenced in 1989. At the time it replaced the [[Claxton Shield]] as the top baseball competition in the country, with eight teams from [[Adelaide]], [[Brisbane]], the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Melbourne]], [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] and [[Sydney]]. Over the course of the league's life, teams were also based in [[Canberra]] and [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], with the number of teams competing in any one season varying from six to nine. Only four teams contested each of the ten seasons, with the others folding due to financial problems, or due to a lack of a suitable venue for home games.

The financial difficulties were not restricted to the clubs, as the league was forced to close after the summer of 1999. Running at a loss of [[Australian dollar|A$]]2 million a season, the rights to the league were sold to [[Dave Nilsson]]—an Australian [[Major League Baseball]] player with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] at the time—for a reported A$5 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/olympics/athletes/nilsson.htm | title=Sydney 2000 — David Nilsson | year=2000 | accessdate=15 February 2010 | publisher=ABC News Online}}</ref>

=== Formation ===
On 1 July 2009, a joint press-conference was held by the [[Australian Baseball Federation|ABF]], [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] and [[Government of Australia|Australian Federal Government]] at the Palm Meadows Baseball Complex on the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] in [[Queensland]], the site of the Major League Baseball Australian Academy Program (MLBAAP). During the conference the intention to resurrect a national baseball league for [[Australia]] was announced, with the Government announcing [[Australian dollar|A$]]400,000 towards the new league.<ref name="new abl">{{cite web | url=http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=54586 | title=Australian Baseball looks toward a bright future | publisher=Australian Baseball Federation | first=Jennifer | last=Stockman | date=1 July 2009 | accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref> Though some sources reported that the new league could be running as early as October 2010,<ref name="new abl in 2010 (2)">{{cite news | url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/07/02/94281_gold-coast-sport.html | title=US pitches in and league has lift-off | newspaper=[[The Gold Coast Bulletin]] | publisher=[[News Limited]] | first=Daniel | last=Meers | date=2 July 2009 | accessdate=3 July 2009}}</ref> there had been no official timeframe released for the new league to commence.<ref name="new abl no timeframe">{{cite web | url=http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=54639 | title=Australia to establish new league | publisher=Australian Baseball Federation | first=Jennifer | last=Stockman | date=2 July 2009 | accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref>

Initial reports suggested the competition would likely include between eight and ten teams from around Australia. Discussions were held between the ABF and [[Baseball New Zealand]] about the possibility of a team based in [[New Zealand]] being included in the competition. The offer, however, was declined on the basis that there was not sufficient infrastructure, specifically citing the need for a suitable stadium and a major sponsor for the team. The possibility of a New Zealand team joining the competition at some point in the future has not been ruled out though.<ref name="nz team?">{{cite web | url=http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=102131&fm=newsmain,nrhl | title=NZ offered place in Aussie baseball league | accessdate=31 July 2009 | date=2 July 2009 | work=NZCity}}</ref>

There were additional concerns about the viability of a team based in [[South Australia]], primarily based on the lack of a suitable stadium with lights to be able to play night games.<ref name="sa team?">{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25720970-12428,00.html | title=SA needs facility overhaul to join elite | accessdate=31 July 2009 | last=Keller | first=Candice | date=2 July 2009 | newspaper=[[Adelaide Advertiser]] | publisher=[[News Limited]]}}</ref> This, along with playing on [[Baseball park|baseball-specific grounds]] — as opposed to playing on temporarily converted [[rugby league]] grounds as had been the case in the [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|old ABL]] — was seen as a necessary requirement to insure the long-term profitability of the competition.<ref name="facilities">{{cite news | url=http://news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,25720352-11088,00.html | title=Major baseball mission for Australia | accessdate=31 July 2009 | last=Morton | first=Jim | date=2 July 2009 | newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] | publisher=[[News Limited]] | location=[[Melbourne]] | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5tVH8xPPG | archivedate=16 October 2010}}</ref>

In August 2009, a bid process was launched by the [[Baseball ACT|Australian Capital Territory Baseball Association]] (ACTBA) for a team to be based in [[Canberra]] with the name and [[motto]] of "Let's Do It Canberra".<ref name="canberra bid">{{cite web | url=http://www.letsdoitcanberra.com.au/ | title=Let's Do It Canberra | accessdate=17 August 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090924141808/http://www.letsdoitcanberra.com.au/| archivedate= 24 September 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> The bid was not in competition with any other bids, but was required to meet certain minimum standards, such as fan and sponsorship support, to be successful and join the other five teams from [[Adelaide]], [[Brisbane]], [[Melbourne]], [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] and [[Sydney]] that were at the time confirmed.<ref name="abl faq"/> On 18 November 2009, it was announced by the ABF that the Canberra bid was successful, confirming that the inaugural season would include six teams.<ref>{{cite news | title=Canberra's national-league bid hits home run | first=Peter | last=Fitzgerald | url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/canberras-nationalleague-bid-hits-home-run/1681855.aspx?storypage=1 | newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] | publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] | date=19 November 2009 | accessdate=14 December 2009}}</ref>

In December 2009, a competition was launched for fans to decide the names of the foundation franchises, called "Name Your ABL Team". For each franchise, four team-name options were available to choose from, in addition to being able to enter another name created by the entrant.<ref>{{cite web | title=Name Your Team | url=http://www.nameyourteam.baseball.com.au/ | publisher=Australian Baseball Federation | accessdate=14 December 2009}}</ref> In August 2010, the names of the teams were announced, along with team [[logo]]s and colours: [[Adelaide Bite]], [[Brisbane Bandits]], [[Canberra Cavalry]], [[Melbourne Aces]], [[Perth Heat]], and [[Sydney Blue Sox]].<ref>{{cite press release | title=Australian Baseball League set to re-launch in November 2010 | publisher=Major League Baseball | url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100805&content_id=13058112&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb | accessdate=9 August 2010 | date=8 August 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100820231117/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100805&content_id=13058112&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb| archivedate= 20 August 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

=== List of champions ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;"
! scope="col" rowspan=2 width=50 | Season
! scope="col" rowspan=2 width=75 | Final Host
| width=1 rowspan=10 | 
! scope="colgroup" colspan=4 | Championship Series
| width=1 rowspan=10 | 
! scope="colgroup" colspan=2 | Other postseason participants
| width=1 rowspan=10 | 
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Helms Award Winner<br>(League MVP)
|-
! scope="col" width=125 | Champions
! scope="col" width=50 | Game Score
! scope="col" width=125 | Runners-up
! scope="col" width=125 | Series MVP
! scope="col" width=125 | 3rd place
! scope="col" width=125 | 4th place
|-
| {{ABL season|2010–11}}<br>''{{ABL season|2011|postseason|Details}}''
| {{flagicon|Western Australia}}<br>[[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]
| '''{{ABL team|PER}}'''
| 2 – 1
| {{ABL team|ADE}}
| [[Benjamin Moore (baseball)|Benjamin Moore]] (Perth)
| {{ABL team|SYD}}
| {{ABL team|MEL}}
| [[James McOwen]] (Adelaide)
|-
| {{ABL season|2011–12}}<br>''{{ABL season|2012|postseason|Details}}''
| {{flagicon|Western Australia}}<br>[[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]
| '''{{ABL team|PER}}'''
| 2 – 1
| {{ABL team|MEL}}
| [[Virgil Vasquez]] (Perth)
| {{ABL team|SYD}}
| {{ABL team|ADE}}
| [[Timothy Kennelly|Tim Kennelly]] (Perth)
|-
| {{ABL season|2012–13}}<br>''{{ABL season|2013|postseason|Details}}''
| {{flagicon|Australian Capital Territory}}<br>[[Canberra]]
| '''{{ABL team|CAN}}'''
| 2 – 0
| {{ABL team|PER}}
| [[Aaron Sloan]] (Canberra)
| {{ABL team|SYD}}
| —
| [[Adam Buschini]] (Canberra)
|-
| {{ABL season|2013–14}}
| {{flagicon|Western Australia}}<br>[[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]
| '''{{ABL team|PER}}'''
| 2 – 0
| {{ABL team|CAN}}
| 
| {{ABL team|SYD}}
| —
| 
|}

== Season structure ==
=== Regular season ===
For the [[2010–11 Australian Baseball League season|inaugural season]], the regular season was played from November through to January over ten weeks, similarly to the [[2010 Claxton Shield|2010]] season of the [[Claxton Shield]]. With the expansion from five to six teams, each team played every week as opposed to the two [[bye (sports)|bye]] weeks the teams had previously. In addition, rather than a three-game series each week, the series were four games each, resulting in each team playing 40&nbsp;games over the season. As had been the case in 2010, the majority of games were played on Fridays and Saturdays, though some games were also played on Thursdays and Sundays, depending on the team hosting and whether or not a [[doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] was included in the series.<ref name="blue sox faq">{{cite web | title=Frequently Asked Questions | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/team4/page.jsp?ymd=20101102&content_id=15956234&vkey=team4_t4069&fext=.jsp&sid=t4069 | work=Sydney Blue Sox | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=8 August 2011 }}</ref>

The [[2011–12 Australian Baseball League season|2011–12 season]] largely followed the same format as the 2010–11 season, with only minor changes. Though the opening game of the season was scheduled once again be the only game played that day, the whole series was played over the same weekend along with the first series for each of the other four teams. To allow for the [[Perth Heat]]'s participation in the [[Asia Series]], each of the teams had a bye weekend during the first half of the season. The season expanded from 40 to 45&nbsp;games per team; one of the two series played against each opponent expanded from 4 to 5&nbsp;games.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sedgman | first=Cassandra | title=2011/12 ABL Game Schedule | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/documents/2011/05/23/19442424/1/2011-12_Australian_Baseball_League_Schedule_(3).pdf | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=29 May 2011 | date=23 May 2011 | format=PDF }}</ref>

The [[2012–13 Australian Baseball League season|2012–13 season]] also had minor modifications from the previous season. Each team's bye weekends were in the first three rounds of competition, and each series held during these weekends were only 3&nbsp;games long, and were billed as "... against their two closest geographical neighbours; building upon both traditional and newly established rivalries."<ref>{{cite web | last=Whitaker | first=Terry | title=ABL announces 2012/13 season schedule | url=http://www.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120601&content_id=32556096&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=18 January 2013 | date=1 June 2012 | quote=Circuit's third season features record 138 games}}</ref> The match-ups for these games echoed the divisions used in the [[2008 Claxton Shield]], where teams based in Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney were in the Eastern Division, and teams from Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth were in the Southern Division. The remaining 10&nbsp;weeks were made up of 4&nbsp;game series, like the 2010–11 season. By the end of the season, each team had played each other team at least eight times, with an additional three against both of their geographic rivals.<ref>{{cite web | last=Sedgman | first=Cassandra | title=2012/13 ABL Game Schedule | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/documents/2012/10/15/39808766/1/2012-13_Season_Master_Schedule.pdf | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=18 January 2013 | date=24 May 2012 | format=PDF }}</ref>

=== All-Star Game ===
In the league's second season, it was announced that an All-Star Game would take place, to be held in [[Perth]] on 21 December 2011. Like the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]], it would be held midway through the regular season, and would feature the best players in the league. Rather than the teams in the All-Star Game being made up of players from certain teams, the game would be contested by [[Australia national baseball team|Team Australia]] and a team of World All-Stars, selected from the import or international players participating in the ABL at the time.<ref>{{cite web | title=ABL announces inaugural All-Star Game in Perth | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111204&content_id=26086100&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=5 February 2013 | date=4 December 2011 | quote=Australian National Team to face ABL's best imports in showcase tilt}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;"

|+All-Star Game results
! scope="col" rowspan=2 width=50 | Season
! scope="col" rowspan=2 width=75 | Venue
! scope="col" rowspan=2 width=75 | Host<br>team
| width=1 rowspan=10 | 
! scope="colgroup" colspan=3 | Game result
| width=1 rowspan=10 | 
! scope="colgroup" colspan=3 | Most Valuable Player
| width=1 rowspan=10 | 
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Ref
|-
! scope="col" width=125 | Winning team
! scope="col" width=50 | Score
! scope="col" width=125 | Losing team
! scope="col" width=125 | Player
! scope="col" width=125 | All-Star Game team
! scope="col" width=125 | ABL team
|-
| {{ABL season|2011–12}}<br>''{{ABL season|2011|All-Star Game|Details}}''
| {{flagicon|Western Australia}}<br>[[Perth]]
| {{ABL team|PER}}
| '''World All-Stars'''
| 8 – 5
| [[Australia national baseball team|Team Australia]]
| [[Tyler Collins (baseball)|Tyler Collins]]
| World All-Stars
| [[Sydney Blue Sox]]
| <ref name="asg 2011">{{cite web | last=Player | first=Xavier | title=Australia down World in All-Star thriller | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121216&content_id=40667182&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=5 February 2013 | date=16 December 2012 | quote=Lindsay earns victory for national team}}</ref>
|-
| {{ABL season|2012–13}}<br>''{{ABL season|2012|All-Star Game|Details}}''
| {{flagicon|Victoria}}<br>[[Melbourne]]
| {{ABL team|MEL}}
| '''[[Australia national baseball team|Team Australia]]'''
| 6 – 4
| World All-Stars
| [[Brad Harman]]
| Team Australia
| Melbourne Aces
| <ref name="asg 2012">{{cite web | last=Romano | first=Ross | title=World All-Stars prevail in inaugural showcase | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111221&content_id=26215074&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=5 February 2013 | date=21 December 2011 | quote=Sydney's Collins named MVP in first All-Star Game}}</ref>
|}

=== Postseason ===
For the first two ABL seasons, the postseason involved the top four teams in a three-round structure following the [[Page playoff system]]. In the inaugural season, each round consisted of a best–of–three game series between the respective teams,<ref name="playoff structure">{{cite web | title=ABL Playoff Schedule | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110107&content_id=16404162&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=8 January 2011 | date=7 January 2011 }}</ref> however this was changed in 2011–12 such that the first two rounds were decided in a best–of–five series, with the championship series remaining best–of–three.<ref>{{cite web | title=2012 Postseason Schedule | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/events/page.jsp?ymd=20120120&content_id=26393454&vkey=events_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=13 February 2012 }}</ref> The first- and second-placed teams played each other in the major semi-final series, with the winner proceeding directly to the championship series and the loser to the preliminary final series. The winner of the minor semi-final series between the third- and fourth-placed teams also went to the preliminary final series, while the loser was eliminated. Likewise, the winner of the preliminary final series qualified for the championship series, the loser eliminated.<ref>{{cite news | last=Morton | first=Jim | title=ABL takes a healthy bite | url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/abl-takes-a-healthy-bite-20100805-11k4f.html | accessdate=31 August 2010 | date=5 August 2010 | newspaper=[[Brisbane Times]] | publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100807150211/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/abl-takes-a-healthy-bite-20100805-11k4f.html | archivedate= 7 August 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

The third season used a shortened format from the two previous seasons. Only the top three teams qualified for a two-round postseason, with each round consisting of a best–of–three game series. The first-placed team directly qualified for the championship series, and the second- and third-placed teams played each other in the preliminary final series, the winner of which qualified for the second place in the championship series.<ref>{{cite web | title=Playoff Procedures - Format for 2012/13 season | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/standings/playoff_procedures.jsp?lid=595&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=22 January 2013}}</ref>

{|
! Postseason structure for {{ABL season | 2010–11}} and {{ABL season | 2011–12}} seasons
! Postseason structure for {{ABL season | 2012–13}} season
|-
|{{PagePlayoffBracket 
| RD1 = Semi-Final Series
| RD2 = Premliminary Final Series
| RD3 = Championship Series
| team-width = 175
| RD1-seed1 = 1
| RD1-team1 = First place team
| RD1-seed2 = 2
| RD1-team2 = Second place team
| RD1-seed3 = 3
| RD1-team3 = Third place team
| RD1-seed4 = 4
| RD1-team4 = Fourth place team
| RD2-seed1 = <small>L-A</small>
| RD2-team1 = Loser major semi-final series
| RD2-seed2 = <small>W-B</small>
| RD2-team2 = Winner minor semi-final series
| RD3-seed1 = <small>W-A</small>
| RD3-team1 = Winner major semi-final series
| RD3-seed2 = <small>W-C</small>
| RD3-team2 = Winner preliminary final series
}}
|{{3TeamBracket
| RD1 = Preliminary Final Series
| RD2 = Championship Series
| team-width = 175
| RD1-seed1 = 2
| RD1-team1 = Second placed team
| RD1-score1 = 
| RD1-seed2 = 3
| RD1-team2 = Third placed team
| RD1-score2 = 
| RD2-seed1 = 1
| RD2-team1 = First placed team
| RD2-score1 = 
| RD2-seed2 = WP
| RD2-team2 = Winner preliminary final series
| RD2-score2 = 
}}
|}

The winner of the championship series is named the ABL Champion for that season, and is awarded the Claxton Shield; the prize given to the top Australian baseball team since 1934.<ref name="blue sox faq" />

=== Asia Series ===
{{main|Asia Series}}

Announced after the inaugural ABL season had been completed, the league's champions each season will be invited to the restarted Asia Series.<ref>{{cite news | last=Stephan | first=Gene | title=Heat to take on Asia's best teams | url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/other/9470782/heat-to-take-on-asias-best-teams/ | accessdate=20 May 2011 | newspaper=[[The West Australian]] | date=19 May 2011 | publisher=[[Seven West Media Limited]] | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5yuOF1s2l | archivedate=24 May 2011}}</ref> The event had previously been contested between the winners of [[Nippon Professional Baseball]]'s (NPB) [[Japan Series]], [[Korea Professional Baseball]]'s (KPB) [[Korean Series]], [[Chinese Professional Baseball League]]'s (CPBL) [[Taiwan Series]], and [[China Baseball League]]'s (CBL) championship series. The [[2011 Asia Series|2011 tournament]] will not feature the CBL's champions, but officials have stated that a team would participate in future editions. Unlike all four previous editions of the tournament which were held in Japan, the 2011 edition will be held in Taiwan. The tournament follows a [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] format, where each team plays each other once. The top two teams then face each other in a single game to decide the champion.<ref>{{cite news | last=Huang | first=Paul | title=CPBL: Asia Series to get under way after two-year hiatus | url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2011/05/19/2003503599 | accessdate=20 May 2011 | newspaper=[[Taipei Times]] | date=19 May 2011 | publisher=Liberty Times Group }}</ref>

The Asia Series is held in November, which would otherwise create a conflict for the ABL champion team as the following season would have already commenced. To avoid this, the League announced that during the 2011–12 season, the Perth Heat—2010–11 champions—would be scheduled to have a bye while competing in Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web | last=Schroder | first=Mark | title=ABL Champions To Battle Asia's Best | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110518&content_id=19212110&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=20 May 2011 | date=18 May 2011 }}</ref>

== Media coverage ==
{{see also|Broadcasting of sports events}}

For the inaugural season, there had been no television coverage of regular season games, either live, delayed or in a regular highlights package review format, despite having been in negotiations with [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]] and [[Network Ten]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Dunn | first=Adrian | title=Aces in ABL pack | url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/aces-in-abl-pack/story-e6frf9if-1225901830053 | accessdate=7 August 2010 | newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] | date=6 August 2010 | location=[[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|VIC]] | publisher=[[News Limited]] | archivedate=16 January 2011 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5vlVZU3jh }}</ref> After completing negotiations for live television coverage of the finals,<ref>{{cite news | last=Polkinghorne | first=David | title=League is pitching for TV deal | url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/league-is-pitching-for-tv-deal/2042199.aspx | accessdate=16 January 2011 | newspaper=The Canberra Times | date=8 January 2011 | publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] | archivedate=16 January 2011 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5vlVRqoov }}</ref> the championship series was broadcast live on Fox Sports.<ref name=delta >{{cite web | last=Schroder | first=Mark | title=Delta Partners with ABL for Post-Season | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110125&content_id=16496334&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=26 January 2011 | date=25 January 2011 }}</ref>

On 1 November 2010, Sydney [[community radio]] station [[Triple H (Sydney)|Triple H FM]] announced it would provide live broadcasts of [[Sydney Blue Sox]] home matches as well as [[Canberra Cavalry|Canberra Cavalry's]] home series against the Blue Sox, [[Melbourne Aces]] and [[Perth Heat]]—the weeks Sydney was away from home.<ref>{{cite web | title=Program - Summer of baseball  | url=http://www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh/shows/sob | date=1 November 2010 | publisher=Triple H FM | work=Summer of Baseball | accessdate=1 November 2010}}</ref> [[Perth Now]]'s radio station SportFM announced it would cover the [[Perth Heat]] spring training games as well as the opening game of every Heat home series.<ref>{{cite web | title=Heat Radio Broadcast Schedule | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101105&content_id=16007124&vkey=news_t4068&fext=.jsp&sid=t4068 | work=Perth Heat | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=16 January 2011 | date=5 November 2010}}</ref>

The [[Adelaide Bite]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Internet Broadcast | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/team5/page.jsp?ymd=20101229&content_id=16372648&vkey=team5_t4064&fext=.jsp&sid=t4064 | work=Adelaide Bite | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=16 January 2011}}</ref> [[Brisbane Bandits]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Bandits Live | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/multimedia/page.jsp?ymd=20101205&content_id=16257378&vkey=multimedia_t4065&fext=.jsp&sid=t4065 | work=Brisbane Bandits | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=16 January 2011}}</ref> and Perth Heat<ref>{{cite web | title=Heat TV | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/team5/page.jsp?ymd=20101204&content_id=16252114&vkey=team5_t4068&fext=.jsp&sid=t4068 | work=Perth Heat | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=16 January 2011}}</ref> provided free audio and [[video streaming]] through internet website [[Ustream]].

For the second season, Fox Sports expanded its television coverage of the ABL to include the [[2011 Australian Baseball League All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] in addition to the championship series.<ref name="2011asg press">{{cite press_release | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111204&content_id=26086100&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | title=ABL announces inaugural All-Star Game in Perth | publisher=Australian Baseball League | date=4 December 2011 | accessdate=19 February 2012}}</ref> The game was also carried live via [[ESPN Star Sports]] in [[China]], [[India]] and [[Taiwan]]. It was show on delay in the [[United States]] on the [[MLB Network]], as well as also being shown on delay in [[Japan]] and [[South Korea]].<ref name="2011asg tv">{{cite web | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/league1/page.jsp?ymd=20111220&content_id=26195082&vkey=league1_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | title=Worldwide Television Coverage | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=19 February 2012}}</ref> The international television coverage of the championship series expanded from that of the All-Star Game, with [[Hong Kong]], [[Indonesia]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Philippines]] also getting live coverage through ESPN Star Sports, with several additional countries in [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]] including [[New Zealand]] getting delayed television coverage. The [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) introduced live radio coverage of the championship series via the digital [[ABC Radio Grandstand]] station.<ref name="2012post tv">{{cite web | title=ABLCS Television and Radio Coverage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/multimedia/page.jsp?ymd=20120208&content_id=26600762&vkey=multimedia_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | work=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=19 February 2012}}</ref>

== Current clubs ==
{{Australia locator map
| size = 400
| adelaide-label = [[Adelaide Bite]]
| adelaide-bb-icon = bite
| brisbane-label = [[Brisbane Bandits]]
| brisbane-bb-icon = bandits
| canberra-label = [[Canberra Cavalry]]
| canberra-bb-icon = cavalry
| melbourne-label = [[Melbourne Aces]]
| melbourne-bb-icon = aces
| perth-label = [[Perth Heat]]
| perth-bb-icon = heat
| sydney-label = [[Sydney Blue Sox]]
| sydney-bb-icon = blue sox
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! Team !! City !! State !! Stadium !! Ref
|-
| {{ABL team | ADE}}
| [[Adelaide]]
| [[South Australia]]
| [[Norwood Oval]]
| <ref name=bite>{{cite web | title=Adelaide Bite Homepage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4064 | work=Adelaide Bite| publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=9 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101111083928/http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4064| archivedate= 11 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
|-
| {{ABL team | BRI}}
| [[Brisbane]]
| [[Queensland]]
| [[Brisbane Exhibition Ground]]
| <ref name=bandits>{{cite web | title=Brisbane Bandits Homepage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4065 | work=Brisbane Bandits | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=9 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101111083933/http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4065| archivedate= 11 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
|-
| {{ABL team | CAN}}
| [[Canberra]]
| [[Australian Capital Territory]]
| [[Narrabundah Ballpark]]
| <ref name=cavalry>{{cite web | title=Canberra Cavalry Homepage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4066 | work=Canberra Cavalry | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=9 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101108075942/http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4066| archivedate= 8 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
|-
| {{ABL team | MEL}}
| [[Melbourne]]
| [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
| [[Melbourne Ballpark]]
| <ref name=aces>{{cite web | title=Melbourne Aces Homepage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4067 | work=Melbourne Aces | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=9 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101109201345/http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4067| archivedate= 9 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
|-
| {{ABL team | PER}}
| [[Perth]]
| [[Western Australia]]
| [[Baseball Park (Perth)|Barbagallo Ballpark]]
| <ref name=heat>{{cite web | title=Perth Heat Homepage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4068 | work=Perth Heat |publisher=Australian Baseball League |accessdate=9 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101109201346/http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4068| archivedate= 9 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
|-
| {{ABL team | SYD}}
| [[Sydney]]
| [[New South Wales]]
| [[Blacktown Olympic Park|Blue Sox Stadium]]
| <ref name=bluesox>{{cite web | title=Sydney Blue Sox Homepage | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4069 | work=Sydney Blue Sox | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=9 November 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101109025036/http://web.theabl.com.au/index.jsp?sid=t4069| archivedate= 9 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
|}

Though the locations for the six teams had been known for some time previously, it was not until 5 August 2010 that the names of the teams were announced. Websites were also launched on the same day for each of the teams with the exception of the [[Perth Heat]], which had been the name of the [[Western Australia]]n team playing in the [[Claxton Shield]] since 2006, as well as being one of the franchises from the [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)|original ABL]], contesting all ten seasons.<ref name=heat /> The [[Brisbane Bandits]] is also a reintroduction of a team name from the original ABL that participated in all but the final season.<ref name=bandits />

The [[Adelaide Bite]] uses a name that the [[South Australia state baseball team]] has previously used at various times in the Claxton Shield, which in turn refers both to the great white shark common to South Australian waters as well as the geographic feature, the [[Great Australian Bight]].<ref name=bite/> Likewise, the [[Melbourne Aces]] uses the [[Victoria state baseball team]]'s moniker from Claxton Shield competitions past.<ref name=aces /> The [[Canberra Cavalry]] and the [[Sydney Blue Sox]] both use names not previously used in Australian baseball at the national level.

=== Potential expansion ===
Expansion teams to represent the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]], and [[Geelong, Victoria|Geelong]] are being considered for future seasons, as well as the possibility of second teams from [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]].<ref name="abl faq"/> There is further potential for teams to be based overseas, with [[New Zealand]]<ref name="nz team?"/> and [[Japan]]<ref>{{cite news | last=Elborough | first=Brad | title=New US-backed Australian Baseball League ready to roll | url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/othersports/new-us-backed-australian-baseball-league-ready-to-roll/story-fn4pw13c-1225887505703 | accessdate=11 July 2010 | newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] | date=3 July 2010 | location=[[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia|WA]] | publisher=[[News Limited]]}}</ref> having been publicly discussed. Another alternative for expansion teams being considered is the possibility of an all-Japanese or all-Asian team added to the league, with the team being based in Australia rather than requiring international flights for the team's members and their opponents.<ref>{{cite news | last=Cowley | first=Michael | title=New ABL hitting big home runs with Asia | url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/new-abl-hitting-big-home-runs-with-asia-20101231-19bw2.html | accessdate=1 January 2011 | newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | date=1 January 2011 | publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5vPMyRMp5 | archivedate=1 January 2011 }}</ref>

== Major partners & sponsors ==
=== Naming rights sponsors ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Sponsor
! Naming Rights
! Resulting Name
! Ref
|-
| Alcohol Think Again
| Perth Heat
| Alcohol Think Again Perth Heat
| <ref>{{cite web | title=Heat Media Guide | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/documents/2010/12/20/16346900/1/Heat_Media_Guide.pdf | publisher=Perth Heat | format=PDF | date=20 December 2010 | accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Delta Air Lines]]
| 2010–11 Postseason
| 2011 Delta Air Lines ABL Postseason
| <ref name=delta />
|-
| [[ETSA Utilities]]
| Adelaide Bite
| Adelaide ETSA Bite
| <ref>{{cite press release | title=ETSA Utilities named as Naming Rights Sponsor for the Adelaide Bite | url=http://www.etsautilities.com.au/public/download.jsp?id=12594 | publisher=ETSA Utilities | date=16 September 2010 | accessdate=26 January 2011 }}</ref>
|-
| Jet Couriers
| Melbourne Aces
| Jet Couriers Melbourne Aces
| <ref>{{cite web | title=Melbourne Aces announce naming rights sponsor | url=http://www.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110324&content_id=17094324&vkey=news_t4067&fext=.jsp&sid=t4067 | publisher=Melbourne Aces | date=24 March 2011 | accessdate=19 May 2011}}</ref>
|-
| Rolfe Renault 
| Canberra Cavalry
| Canberra Cavalry Driven By Rolfe Renault
| <ref>{{cite web | last=Lansdowne | first=Heather | title=Meet the Canberra "UberGlobal" Cavalry | url=http://www.uber.com.au/blog/2011/08/19/meet-the-canberra-%E2%80%9Cuberglobal%E2%80%9D-cavalry/ | publisher=UberGlobal | date=19 August 2011 | accessdate=29 October 2011}}</ref>
|}

=== Principal partners ===
* [[Australian Baseball Federation]]
* [[Australian Sports Commission]]
* [[Major League Baseball]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Stockman | first=Jennifer | title=Official ABL Media Launch | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101029&content_id=15874858&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=4 December 2010 | date=28 October 2010 | quote=Newly formed ABL makes its pitch to sports fans | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101112181055/http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101029&content_id=15874858&vkey=news_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595| archivedate= 12 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

=== Licenced suppliers ===
* Edge 85&nbsp;– Training apparel<ref name="licensed suppliers">{{cite web | title=Licensed Suppliers | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/league2/page.jsp?ymd=20101102&content_id=15946144&vkey=league2_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=4 December 2010 | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101112001834/http://web.theabl.com.au/league2/page.jsp?ymd=20101102&content_id=15946144&vkey=league2_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595| archivedate= 12 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
* [[Majestic Athletic|Majestic]]&nbsp;– Uniforms and supporter apparel<ref name="licensed suppliers"/>
* [[Mizuno Corp.|Mizuno]]&nbsp;– Batting gloves<ref>{{cite web | last=Stockman | first=Jennifer | title=Mizuno named batting glove partner | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15860594&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=4 December 2010 | date=15 September 2010 | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101111101536/http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15860594&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595| archivedate= 11 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
* [[New Era Cap Company|New Era]]&nbsp;– Caps<ref>{{cite web | last=Owen | first=John | title=New Era named headwear provider | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15859642&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=4 December 2010 | date=6 October 2010 | quote=Inaugural New Era/ABL baseball caps now on sale | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101111101529/http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15859642&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595| archivedate= 11 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
* [[Rawlings (company)|Rawlings]]&nbsp;– Balls, batting helmets, catchers' protective gear<ref>{{cite web | last=Stockman | first=Jennifer | title=Rawlings, ABL announce partnership | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15859112&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=4 December 2010 | date=30 September 2010 | quote=Rawlings named official supplier of baseballs, helmets, more | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101111102303/http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15859112&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595| archivedate= 11 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
* Sam Bat&nbsp;– Bats<ref>{{cite web | last=Stockman | first=Jennifer | title=ABL taps Sam Bat for inaugural season | url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15860290&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595 | publisher=Australian Baseball League | accessdate=4 December 2010 | date=13 September 2010 | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101111101416/http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101028&content_id=15860290&vkey=pr_l595&fext=.jsp&sid=l595| archivedate= 11 November 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Baseball}}
* [[Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)]]
* [[Claxton Shield]]
* [[International Baseball League of Australia]]
* [[Glossary of baseball (W)#Winter leagues|Winter leagues]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2|refs =
<ref name="abl faq">{{cite web | url=http://www.geelongassociation.baseball.com.au/site/baseball/geelongassociation/downloads/ABL_Basic_Player_Information.pdf | title=Australian Baseball League - Player Information and Frequently Asked Questions | format=PDF | last=Foster | first=Ben | publisher=Australian Baseball League | date=25 August 2009 | accessdate=27 August 2009}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.baseball.com.au/ ABF official website]
* [http://www.theabl.com.au/ ABL official website]
* [http://www.baseballblogs.net/ ABL news]
* [http://www.austadiums.com/sport/comp.php?sid=16 ABL on AUStadiums]
* [http://www.mizuno.com.au/ Mizuno Corporation Australia official website]
* [http://www.sambat.com/ Sam Bat official website]

{{Australian Baseball League}}
{{Baseball in Australia}}
{{Claxton Shield}}
{{Sports leagues of Australia}}
{{Professional Baseball}}

{{Adelaide Bite|state=autocollapse}}
{{Brisbane Bandits|state=autocollapse}}
{{Canberra Cavalry|state=autocollapse}}
{{Melbourne Aces|state=autocollapse}}
{{Perth Heat|state=autocollapse}}
{{Sydney Blue Sox|state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Australian Baseball League| ]]
[[Category:Baseball leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 2009]]