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{{Short description|Defunct baseball league that operated from 1989 to 1999}}
{{about|the league disbanded in 1999|the new league started in 2010|Australian Baseball League}}
{{about|the league disbanded in 1999|the new league started in 2010|Australian Baseball League}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox Sports league
{{Infobox Sports league
| title = Australian Baseball League
| title = Australian Baseball League
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{{Main|Claxton Shield}}
{{Main|Claxton Shield}}


Before the formation of the Australian Baseball League, the [[Claxton Shield]], established in {{baseball year|1934}}, was Australia's premier baseball tournament.<ref>[http://www.baseball.com.au/?Page=48636&MenuID=Events%2F95%2F0%2F%2CClaxton_Shield%2F21613%2F20767%2F0%2CClaxton_Shield_-_A_slice_of_History%2F21864%2F0%2F0 Claxton Shield History] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.is/20120722020403/http://www.baseball.com.au/?Page=48636&MenuID=Events/95/0/,Claxton_Shield/21613/20767/0,Claxton_Shield_-_A_slice_of_History/21864/0/0 |date=July 22, 2012 }}, ''Australian Baseball Federation''</ref><ref>[http://www.pflintoff.com/AMLBHIST.htm Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330032813/http://www.pflintoff.com/AMLBHIST.htm |date=March 30, 2016 }}</ref> The idea of an Australian baseball league was first conceived in {{baseball year|1987}}, possibly prompted by the success of Australia's [[National Basketball League Australia|National Basketball League]]. The final Claxton Shield competition was held in 1988 by the Auburn Baseball Club in [[New South Wales]] at its home ground of [[Oriole Park (Sydney)|Oriole Park]]. Auburn funded all visiting teams' fares and accommodation with the expectation of recouping from gate takings and increased revenue at its social club.<ref>{{cite book | last=Clark | first=Joe | title=A History of Australian Baseball | year=2003 | publisher=[[University of Nebraska Press]] |location=[[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], [[Nebraska|NE]], United States | isbn=0-8032-6440-2 | page=127 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rIXGQra02mAC&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=&f=false | accessdate=11 February 2011 }}</ref> Soon after, the ABL was formed, with eight teams from around Australia.
Before the formation of the Australian Baseball League, the [[Claxton Shield]], established in {{baseball year|1934}}, was Australia's premier baseball tournament.<ref>[http://www.baseball.com.au/?Page=48636&MenuID=Events%2F95%2F0%2F%2CClaxton_Shield%2F21613%2F20767%2F0%2CClaxton_Shield_-_A_slice_of_History%2F21864%2F0%2F0 Claxton Shield History] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20120722020403/http://www.baseball.com.au/?Page=48636&MenuID=Events/95/0/,Claxton_Shield/21613/20767/0,Claxton_Shield_-_A_slice_of_History/21864/0/0 |date=July 22, 2012 }}, ''Australian Baseball Federation''</ref><ref>[http://www.pflintoff.com/AMLBHIST.htm Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330032813/http://www.pflintoff.com/AMLBHIST.htm |date=March 30, 2016 }}</ref> The idea of an Australian baseball league was first conceived in {{baseball year|1987}}, possibly prompted by the success of Australia's [[National Basketball League Australia|National Basketball League]]. The final Claxton Shield competition was held in 1988 by the Auburn Baseball Club in [[New South Wales]] at its home ground of [[Oriole Park (Sydney)|Oriole Park]]. Auburn funded all visiting teams' fares and accommodation with the expectation of recouping from gate takings and increased revenue at its social club.<ref>{{cite book | last=Clark | first=Joe | title=A History of Australian Baseball | year=2003 | publisher=[[University of Nebraska Press]] |location=[[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], [[Nebraska|NE]], United States | isbn=0-8032-6440-2 | page=127 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rIXGQra02mAC&pg=PP1 | access-date=11 February 2011 }}</ref> Soon after, the ABL was formed, with eight teams from around Australia.


==Competition structure==
==Competition structure==
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The ABL experimented with many different types of scheduling to try to increase attendances, including day and night games at different times of the week, seven-inning double headers. The length of games became a problem as many grounds had night [[curfew]]s.
The ABL experimented with many different types of scheduling to try to increase attendances, including day and night games at different times of the week, seven-inning double headers. The length of games became a problem as many grounds had night [[curfew]]s.


== Australian Baseball League of the 1990s ==
==League history==
⚫
The Australian Baseball League consisted of between six and nine teams over its 10 years of existence, with its highest point being in 1995, with nine teams competing. Championships were decided by a top-two five-game playoff series for the first three seasons before changing to a top-four playoff series with winners advancing to the championship series. Following the change to the top four format, both semi-finals and the championship series were played as best-of-three series.
The Australian Baseball League formally got underway in October 1989, representing Australia's first professional "major league" in baseball. Officially, the first ABL game was contested between Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants at Parry Field in Perth on 27 October 1989, with the Giants winning 8-5.

⚫
The league consisted of between 6 and 9 teams over the 10 years, with its highest point in 1995 with 9 teams competing. Championships were decided by a top two 5 game play off series for the first 3 seasons before changing to a top 4 play off series with winners advancing to the championship series. Following the change to the top 4 format, both semi-finals and championship series were played as a best-of-three series.


* '''1989–90'''
* '''1989–90'''
The Australian Baseball League formally got underway in October 1989, representing Australia's first professional "major league" of baseball. Officially, the first ABL game was contested between Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants at Parry Field in Perth on 27 October 1989, with the Giants winning 8-5. The inaugural season was dominated by the [[Waverley Reds]] a record of 34 wins and 6 losses, only losing 2 games at home from 19 starts, taking out the Championship series 3 games to 1 against cross town rivals the [[Melbourne Monarchs]].
The Australian Baseball League formally got underway in October 1989, representing Australia's first professional "major league"{{Clarify|date=September 2022}} of baseball. Officially, the first ABL game was contested between Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants at Parry Field in Perth on 27 October 1989, with the Giants winning 8-5.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} The inaugural season was dominated by the [[Waverley Reds]] a record of 34 wins and 6 losses, who only lost 2 games at home in 19 starts, and took the Championship series 3 games to 1 against their crosstown rivals, the [[Melbourne Monarchs]].<ref name="F&D">{{cite web |url=http://www.users.bigpond.com:80/goreds/HONOURS.htm |title=AMLB Results Page |website=Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball |access-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304140856/http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds/HONOURS.htm |archive-date=4 March 2008 |language=en |url-status=dead}}</ref>


* '''1990–91'''
* '''1990–91'''
The 1990–91 ABL championship was won by the Perth Heat, defeating the minor premiers, the Gold Coast's Daikyo Dolphins by 3 games to 2.<ref>Australian Baseball League (1996). ''Australian Baseball League 1996/97 Media Guide.'', p. 128-137.</ref>
The 1990–91 ABL championship was won by the Perth Heat, who defeated the minor premiers, the Gold Coast's Daikyo Dolphins, by three games to two.<ref name="F&D"/><ref>Australian Baseball League (1996). ''Australian Baseball League 1996/97 Media Guide.'', p. 128-137.</ref>


* '''1991–92'''
* '''1991–92'''
In a reversal of the previous season, the 1991–92 ABL title was won by the Daikyo Dolphins, defeating the Perth Heat by 3 games to 1.
In a reversal of the previous season, the 1991–92 ABL title was won by the Daikyo Dolphins, who defeated the Perth Heat three games to one.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1992–93'''
* '''1992–93'''
The first year of the four-team finals format, the championship series saw the Melbourne Monarchs face the minor premier Perth Heat at Perth's [[Parry Field]], having eliminated the Sydney Blues and Waverley Reds, respectively. The Melbourne Monarchs defeated the Heat 2 games to nil in the final to clinch the 1992–93 ABL championship.
The first year of the four-team finals format, the championship series saw the Melbourne Monarchs face the minor premier Perth Heat at Perth's [[Parry Field]], having eliminated the Sydney Blues and Waverley Reds, respectively. The Melbourne Monarchs defeated the Heat two games to nil in the final to clinch the 1992–93 ABL championship.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1993–94'''
* '''1993–94'''
Won by the Brisbane Bandits, defeating the minor premier Sydney Blues 2 games to nil in the championship series held at [[Parramatta Stadium]]. The Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants, respectively, were the two defeated semi-finalists.
Won by the Brisbane Bandits, who defeated the minor premier Sydney Blues two games to nil in the championship series held at [[Parramatta Stadium]]. The Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants, respectively, were the two defeated semi-finalists.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1994–95'''
* '''1994–95'''
Won by the Waverley Reds, defeating the Perth Heat 2 games to nil at [[Moorabbin Oval]]. The Sydney Blues (defeated by the Reds) and East Coast Cougars (defeated by the Heat) were eliminated in the semi-finals.
Won by the Waverley Reds, who defeated the Perth Heat two games to nil at [[Moorabbin Oval]]. The Sydney Blues (defeated by the Reds) and East Coast Cougars (defeated by the Heat) were eliminated in the semi-finals.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1995–96'''
* '''1995–96'''
Won by the Sydney Blues, defeating the Melbourne Reds 2 games to nil in the Blues' only season at the old [[Sydney Showground (Moore Park)|Sydney Showground]] at Moore Park. In the first time a team had reached the final from fourth place, the Reds defeated the minor premier Brisbane Bandits in the semi-final, while the Perth Heat were eliminated by the Blues.
Won by the Sydney Blues, who defeated the Melbourne Reds two games to nil in the Blues' only season at the old [[Sydney Showground (Moore Park)|Sydney Showground]] at Moore Park. In the first time a team had reached the final from fourth place, the Reds defeated the minor premier Brisbane Bandits in the semi-final, while the Perth Heat were eliminated by the Blues.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1996–97'''
* '''1996–97'''
Won by the Perth Heat.
Won by the Perth Heat, who defeated the Brisbane Bandits in three games.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1997–98'''
* '''1997–98'''
Won by the Melbourne Reds.
Won by the Melbourne Reds, who defeated the East Coast Cougars in two games.<ref name="F&D"/>


* '''1998–99'''
* '''1998–99'''
The final ABL Championship, held as a test event at the new [[Sydney Showground (Homebush)|Sydney Showground]] at [[Sydney Olympic Park]], was taken out by the Gold Coast Cougars (defeating the Sydney Storm), after the Adelaide Giants dominated the regular season to finish on top.
The final ABL Championship, held as a test event at the new [[Sydney Showground (Homebush)|Sydney Showground]] at [[Sydney Olympic Park]], was taken in two games by the Gold Coast Cougars (who defeated the Sydney Storm), after the Adelaide Giants dominated the regular season.<ref name="F&D"/>


=== Decline and Sale ===
===Decline and sale===
The ABL had a total running cost of $6 million by the later half of the 1990s, due to a lack of sponsorship and gate takings the league was only raising $4 million by the final season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=21&ContentID=15038 |title=Americans back new Aussie baseball league |date=30 November 2006 |author=Gene Stephan |work=The West Australian}}</ref> Due to these mounting debts the Australian Baseball Federation sold off the rights to the league and [[Claxton Shield]] to Australian baseballer [[David Nilsson]] for a reported $5 million who replaced it with the [[International Baseball League of Australia]], which in turn folded in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/olympics/athletes/nilsson.htm |title=David Nilsson |year=2000 |author=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>
The ABL had a total running cost of $6 million by the later half of the 1990s, due to a lack of sponsorship and gate takings the league was only raising $4 million by the final season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=21&ContentID=15038 |title=Americans back new Aussie baseball league |date=30 November 2006 |author=Gene Stephan |work=The West Australian}}</ref> Due to these mounting debts the Australian Baseball Federation sold off the rights to the league and [[Claxton Shield]] to Australian baseballer [[Dave Nilsson|David Nilsson]] for a reported $5 million who replaced it with the [[International Baseball League of Australia]], which in turn folded in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/olympics/athletes/nilsson.htm |title=David Nilsson |year=2000 |author=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=19 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923182455/http://www.abc.net.au/news/olympics/athletes/nilsson.htm |archive-date=23 September 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


=== Original clubs ===
===Original clubs===
Over the ten years of the Australian Baseball League there was a total of twelve franchise licences issued, most seasons the ABL had a total of 8 teams but had as many as nine and for the final season six. The founding eight teams of the Australian Baseball League were;
Over the ten years of the Australian Baseball League, a total of twelve franchise licences were issued; most seasons the ABL had a total of eight teams, but had as many as nine, and, for the final season, six. The founding eight teams of the Australian Baseball League were:


* [[Adelaide Giants]]: The Giants competed in all ten seasons of the ABL but did not make the championship playoffs once.
*[[Adelaide Giants (1989–1999)|Adelaide Giants]]: The Giants competed in all ten seasons of the ABL but did not make the championship playoffs once.
* [[Brisbane Bandits (1989–1998)|Brisbane Bandits]]: The Bandits competed in the first nine seasons but dropped out of the final season due to not having a suitable venue, The Bandits won one championship and finished runner-up in another.
*[[Brisbane Bandits (1989–1998)|Brisbane Bandits]]: The Bandits competed in the first nine seasons but dropped out of the final season due to not having a suitable venue, The Bandits won one championship and finished runner-up in another.
* [[Gold Coast Clippers]]: The Clippers had many different names over their ten years in the ABL: The Daikyo Dolphins from 1990 to 1993 due to a sponsorship with Japanese company Daikyo, then the East Coast Cougars and finally Gold Coast Cougars. This franchise won two championships and were runner-up in a further two times.
*[[Gold Coast Clippers]]: The Clippers had many different names over their ten years in the ABL: The Daikyo Dolphins from 1990 to 1993 due to a sponsorship with Japanese company Daikyo, then the East Coast Cougars and finally Gold Coast Cougars. This franchise won two championships and were runner-up in a further two times.
* [[Melbourne Monarchs]]: The Monarchs competed in nine of the ten seasons, they were expelled from the league after the 1991–92 season, but were re-admitted for the 1992–93. The Monarchs won one ABL title (1992–93) and were runner-up to the Reds once (1989–90).
*[[Melbourne Monarchs]]: The Monarchs competed in nine of the ten seasons, they were expelled from the league after the 1991–92 season, but were re-admitted for the 1992–93. The Monarchs won one ABL title (1992–93) and were runner-up to the Reds once (1989–90).
* [[Parramatta Patriots]]: The Patriots competed in the first three seasons with their best result being third in 1990. The Patriots disbanded after the 1991–92 season due to heavy financial losses, and the Sydney Blues purchased their licence.
*[[Parramatta Patriots]]: The Patriots competed in the first three seasons with their best result being third in 1990. The Patriots disbanded after the 1991–92 season due to heavy financial losses, and the Sydney Blues purchased their licence.
* [[Sydney Metros]]: The Metros had the dishonour of being the least successful team in the ABL and also having the shortest history, as they folded shortly after the 1989–90 season. The Metros' licence was purchased by the Sydney Wave.
*[[Sydney Metros]]: The Metros had the dishonour of being the least successful team in the ABL and also having the shortest history, as they folded shortly after the 1989–90 season. The Metros' licence was purchased by the Sydney Wave.
* [[Perth Heat]]: The Heat were the second-most successful team in the league, winning the title twice and finishing runner-up a further three times.
*[[Perth Heat]]: The Heat were the second-most successful team in the league, winning the title twice and finishing runner-up a further three times.
* [[Waverley Reds]]: The Reds were the most successful team in the league, being the only team to win three ABL titles, while also finishing runner-up once. The Reds also held the regular-season single-game attendance record (and second-highest overall) of 11,444, in the 1991–92 season against then-cross-town rivals the Melbourne Bushrangers at Waverley Oval. The Reds changed their name to the Melbourne Reds after the 1993–94 season in an attempt to broaden their supporter base.
*[[Waverley Reds]]: The Reds were the most successful team in the league, being the only team to win three ABL titles, while also finishing runner-up once. The Reds also held the regular-season single-game attendance record (and second-highest overall) of 11,444, in the 1991–92 season against then-cross-town rivals the Melbourne Bushrangers at Waverley Oval. The Reds changed their name to the Melbourne Reds after the 1993–94 season in an attempt to broaden their supporter base.


=== Later additions ===
===Later additions===
⚫
Later additions to the league were:

⚫
*[[Melbourne Bushrangers]]: The Bushrangers were brought in to replace the Monarchs after they were expelled, and played two seasons in Melbourne before moving north to Canberra. They thus changed their name to the Canberra Bushrangers and competed for a further two seasons before going broke.
⚫
Later additions to the league were;
⚫
*[[Sydney Blues]]: The Blues purchased their licence from the Parramatta Patriots. Due to the marketing problems associated with having the same name as the NSW cricket team [Blues] the name was changed to the Sydney Storm. The team won one championship and finished runner-up under the Blues name; they also finished runner-up once more under the Storm name. The Blues held the overall single-game attendance record, with a 1994 finals series game against the Brisbane Bandits drawing 13,764 to Parramatta Stadium.<ref>Australian Baseball League (1996). ''Australian Baseball League 1996/97 Media Guide.'', p. 182.</ref>
⚫
* [[Melbourne Bushrangers]]: The Bushrangers were brought in to replace the Monarchs after they were expelled, and played two seasons in Melbourne before moving north to Canberra. They thus changed their name to the Canberra Bushrangers and competed for a further two seasons before going broke.
⚫
*[[Sydney Wave]]: The Wave was formed after purchasing its licence of the Sydney Metros. The Wave had no real impact on the league, lasting only two seasons before folding with heavy financial losses. Their licence was then sold to the Hunter Eagles.
⚫
* [[Sydney Blues]]: The Blues purchased their licence from the Parramatta Patriots. Due to the marketing problems associated with having the same name as the NSW cricket team [Blues] the name was changed to the Sydney Storm. The team won one championship and finished runner-up under the Blues name; they also finished runner-up once more under the Storm name. The Blues held the overall single-game attendance record, with a 1994 finals series game against the Brisbane Bandits drawing 13,764 to Parramatta Stadium.<ref>Australian Baseball League (1996). ''Australian Baseball League 1996/97 Media Guide.'', p. 182.</ref>
⚫
*[[Hunter Eagles]]: The Eagles had slightly more success in the ABL than their previous two licence-holders, lasting for a total of four seasons. The Eagles were excluded from the 1998–99 season after not being able to supply enough funds to run the team for the upcoming season.
⚫
* [[Sydney Wave]]: The Wave was formed after purchasing its licence of the Sydney Metros. The Wave had no real impact on the league, lasting only two seasons before folding with heavy financial losses. Their licence was then sold to the Hunter Eagles.
⚫
* [[Hunter Eagles]]: The Eagles had slightly more success in the ABL than their previous two licence-holders, lasting for a total of four seasons. The Eagles were excluded from the 1998–99 season after not being able to supply enough funds to run the team for the upcoming season.


==Players==
==Players==
{{main|List of Major League Baseball players who played in Australia}}
The ABL experienced a lot of baseball talent not only from Australia, but from overseas, with over 90 MLB or future MLB players playing over the history of the competition.<ref>[http://www.pflintoff.com/USMajors.htm Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball - US Majors] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803234221/http://www.pflintoff.com/USMajors.htm |date=August 3, 2016 }}</ref> Many of these import players were sent to Australia from rookie ball up to advanced A (with some exceptions) as a winter ball league that provided a different environment to winter leagues in Latin America. It proved to be a good 'instructional league' for MLB organisations or even for extended rehabilitation. Many of the import players would not come back for a second season as they were either advanced in their organisation, or replaced by a different player who was thought could benefit from playing in Australia.
The ABL experienced a lot of baseball talent not only from Australia, but from overseas, with over 90 MLB or future MLB players playing over the history of the competition.<ref>[http://www.pflintoff.com/USMajors.htm Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball - US Majors] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803234221/http://www.pflintoff.com/USMajors.htm |date=August 3, 2016 }}</ref> Many of these import players were sent to Australia from rookie ball up to advanced A (with some exceptions) as a winter ball league that provided a different environment to winter leagues in Latin America. It proved to be a good 'instructional league' for MLB organisations or even for extended rehabilitation. Many of the import players would not come back for a second season as they were either advanced in their organisation, or replaced by a different player who was thought could benefit from playing in Australia.


==League Records==
==League records==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
{{Col-break}}
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{{see also|Australian Baseball League|}}
{{see also|Australian Baseball League|}}
[[File:Australian Baseball League (2010–11 emblem).jpg|thumb|right|The reformed Australian Baseball League starts November 2010]]
[[File:Australian Baseball League (2010–11 emblem).jpg|thumb|right|The reformed Australian Baseball League starts November 2010]]
While no confirmation was forthcoming from either source, plans were apparently hatched between the [[Australian Baseball Federation]] and [[Major League Baseball]] to re-establish an Australian national league in November 2008.<ref name="geelongbaseball.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.geelongbaseball.com.au/news.html |website=geelongbaseball.com.au |title=Claxton Shield "home and away" series a dress rehearsal |date=10 August 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819024645/http://www.geelongbaseball.com.au/news.html |archivedate=2007-08-19 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=323 |website=austadiums.com |title=Geelong or Melbourne for Baseball team |date=27 July 2007 |author=Chris Egan}}</ref> The new national league was proposed to run for 10 weeks from November 2008 to February 2009 and to be partly funded by [[Major League Baseball]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=321 |title=Punt Road baseball pitch interests Tigers |date=5 July 2007 |author=Michael Gleeson |work=The Age}}</ref>
While no confirmation was forthcoming from either source, plans were apparently hatched between the [[Australian Baseball Federation]] and [[Major League Baseball]] to re-establish an Australian national league in November 2008.<ref name="geelongbaseball.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.geelongbaseball.com.au/news.html |website=geelongbaseball.com.au |title=Claxton Shield "home and away" series a dress rehearsal |date=10 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819024645/http://www.geelongbaseball.com.au/news.html |archive-date=2007-08-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=323 |website=austadiums.com |title=Geelong or Melbourne for Baseball team |date=27 July 2007 |author=Chris Egan}}</ref> The new national league was proposed to run for 10 weeks from November 2008 to February 2009 and to be partly funded by [[Major League Baseball]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=321 |title=Punt Road baseball pitch interests Tigers |date=5 July 2007 |author=Michael Gleeson |work=The Age}}</ref>


On 10 August 2007 it was announced the [[2008 Claxton Shield]] would be run as a "home and away" series. The revamped series was made up of two pools of three teams, with each team playing three home and three away games against the other two teams in its pool. Pool A was to be made up of the [[Victoria Aces]], [[Perth Heat]] and [[South Australia (Baseball Team)|South Australia]], and Pool B was to be made up of the [[New South Wales Patriots]], [[Queensland Rams]] and [[Australia Provincial]]. The revamped series was run from late December 2007 to early February 2008.<ref name="geelongbaseball.com.au"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=37821 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120727232622/http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=37821 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=27 July 2012 |title=BASEBALL IS BACK…AND IT’S COMING YOUR WAY! |date=22 August 2007 |author=Ben Foster |website=baseball.com.au }}</ref>
On 10 August 2007 it was announced the [[2008 Claxton Shield]] would be run as a "home and away" series. The revamped series was made up of two pools of three teams, with each team playing three home and three away games against the other two teams in its pool. Pool A was to be made up of the [[Victoria Aces]], [[Perth Heat]] and [[South Australia (Baseball Team)|South Australia]], and Pool B was to be made up of the [[New South Wales Patriots]], [[Queensland Rams]] and [[Australia Provincial]]. The revamped series was run from late December 2007 to early February 2008.<ref name="geelongbaseball.com.au"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=37821 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120727232622/http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=37821 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 July 2012 |title=BASEBALL IS BACK…AND IT'S COMING YOUR WAY! |date=22 August 2007 |author=Ben Foster |website=baseball.com.au }}</ref>


The [[2009 Claxton Shield|2009]] series followed a similar format, but without the Australia Provincial team, resulting in each team playing each other team once in either a home or an away three-game series, in addition to a "showcase" round to start the season, held in Sydney with each team playing every other team once over the course of the week.
The [[2009 Claxton Shield|2009]] series followed a similar format, but without the Australia Provincial team, resulting in each team playing each other team once in either a home or an away three-game series, in addition to a "showcase" round to start the season, held in Sydney with each team playing every other team once over the course of the week.


On 1 July 2009, a joint announcement was made by the Australian Baseball Federation, [[Government of Australia|Australian Federal Government]] and Major League Baseball stating the intention to resurrect a national baseball league for Australia, with the Government announcing A$400,000 towards the new league.<ref name="new abl">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=54586 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120723060708/http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=54586 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title=Australian Baseball looks toward a bright future |publisher=[[Australian Baseball Federation]] |author=Jennifer Stockman |location=[[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland|QLD]] |date=1 July 2009 |accessdate=3 July 2009 }}</ref>
On 1 July 2009, a joint announcement was made by the Australian Baseball Federation, [[Government of Australia|Australian Federal Government]] and Major League Baseball stating the intention to resurrect a national baseball league for Australia, with the Government announcing A$400,000 towards the new league.<ref name="new abl">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=54586 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723060708/http://www.baseball.com.au/default.asp?Page=54586 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title=Australian Baseball looks toward a bright future |publisher=[[Australian Baseball Federation]] |author=Jennifer Stockman |location=[[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland|QLD]] |date=1 July 2009 |access-date=3 July 2009 }}</ref>


It was originally planned that the Australian Baseball League would eventually have a 60-game season from November to February consisting of teams from [[Adelaide]], [[Brisbane]], [[Melbourne]], [[Perth]] and [[Sydney]] with a pending spot for [[Canberra]]. The league is 75% owned by [[Major League Baseball]] and 25% by the [[Australian Baseball Federation]]. The first ABL season is scheduled for November–February 2009/2010, but will be run under the banner of the [[2010 Claxton Shield]] with 2011 season scheduled to be the first 'official' season. Some players will be paid, and some will not, with an average salary expected to be about A$800 per month. Players will be under contract, although the system of player-league relations will be highly centralized in the ABF for the league's early years in order to ensure cheap and efficient league operation. In November 2009 referendums were held on team names.<ref>[http://www.ballarat.baseball.com.au/site/baseball/ballarat/downloads/ABL_Basic_Player_Information.pdf ABL Basic Player Information]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
It was originally planned that the Australian Baseball League would eventually have a 60-game season from November to February consisting of teams from [[Adelaide]], [[Brisbane]], [[Melbourne]], [[Perth]] and [[Sydney]] with a pending spot for [[Canberra]]. The league is 75% owned by [[Major League Baseball]] and 25% by the [[Australian Baseball Federation]]. The first ABL season is scheduled for November–February 2009/2010, but will be run under the banner of the [[2010 Claxton Shield]] with 2011 season scheduled to be the first 'official' season. Some players will be paid, and some will not, with an average salary expected to be about A$800 per month. Players will be under contract, although the system of player-league relations will be highly centralized in the ABF for the league's early years in order to ensure cheap and efficient league operation. In November 2009 referendums were held on team names.<ref>[http://www.ballarat.baseball.com.au/site/baseball/ballarat/downloads/ABL_Basic_Player_Information.pdf ABL Basic Player Information]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


In November 2009, the Australian Baseball League approved Canberra's bid for a 6th spot in the inaugural ABL season with the [[ACT Government]] contributing $75,000 for the first season, and $30,000 every other season. Also, the franchise already has over $64,000 from 3200 people pledging support at $20 a head during the bid attempt. [[ActewAGL]], [[Audi|Rolfe Audi]] were announced as major sponsors of the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/canberras-nationalleague-bid-hits-home-run/1681855.aspx|title=Canberra's national-league bid hits home run|last=Fitzgerald|first=Peter|date=19 November 2009|publisher=The Canberra Times|accessdate=20 November 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091122131236/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/canberras-nationalleague-bid-hits-home-run/1681855.aspx| archivedate= 22 November 2009 | deadurl= no}}</ref>
In November 2009, the Australian Baseball League approved Canberra's bid for a 6th spot in the inaugural ABL season with the [[ACT Government]] contributing $75,000 for the first season, and $30,000 every other season. Also, the franchise already has over $64,000 from 3200 people pledging support at $20 a head during the bid attempt. [[ActewAGL]], [[Audi|Rolfe Audi]] were announced as major sponsors of the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/canberras-nationalleague-bid-hits-home-run/1681855.aspx|title=Canberra's national-league bid hits home run|last=Fitzgerald|first=Peter|date=19 November 2009|publisher=The Canberra Times|access-date=20 November 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091122131236/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/baseball/canberras-nationalleague-bid-hits-home-run/1681855.aspx| archive-date= 22 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>


In May, 2010, the Australian Baseball League made steps towards marketing their product, producing a website and two advertisements shown on [[ESPN Australia]] and [[ONE HD]]. The logo was officially unveiled and the Melbourne franchise's general manager, Stephen Nash, announced a 40-game season between six franchises over 10 weeks from November to January, with a post-season finals series in February.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nash |first=Stephen |title=The Countdown Continues |url=http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au/?Page=65546 |accessdate=19 May 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101929/http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au/?Page=65546 |archivedate=6 July 2011 |df= }}</ref>
In May, 2010, the Australian Baseball League made steps towards marketing their product, producing a website and two advertisements shown on [[ESPN Australia]] and [[10 Bold|ONE HD]]. The logo was officially unveiled and the Melbourne franchise's general manager, Stephen Nash, announced a 40-game season between six franchises over 10 weeks from November to January, with a post-season finals series in February.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nash |first=Stephen |title=The Countdown Continues |url=http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au/?Page=65546 |access-date=19 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101929/http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au/?Page=65546 |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>


On 5 August 2010, the team names for the Australian Baseball League were made public. They include the [[Brisbane Bandits]], the [[Sydney Blue Sox]], the [[Canberra Cavalry]], the [[Melbourne Aces]], the [[Adelaide Bite]] and the [[Perth Heat]].
On 5 August 2010, the team names for the Australian Baseball League were made public. They include the [[Brisbane Bandits]], the [[Sydney Blue Sox]], the [[Canberra Cavalry]], the [[Melbourne Aces]], the [[Adelaide Bite]] and the [[Perth Heat]].

Since its beginning in 2010, the Australian Baseball League has expanded to have 8 teams on its roster, with the addition of the [[Auckland Tuatara (baseball)|Auckland Tuatara]] and [[Geelong-Korea]] in the 2018/2019 Season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://theabl.com.au/rosters/|title=Team Rosters {{!}} theABL.com.au|website=theabl.com.au|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}}</ref> The League has also been divided into the South-West Division and the North-East Division.<ref name=":0" />


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Baseball}}
* [[Australian Baseball League Championships]]
* [[Australian Baseball League Awards]]
* [[Australian Baseball League Awards]]
* [[List of Australian Baseball League records]]
* [[List of Australian Baseball League records]]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060526052044/http://www.australianbaseballhistory.webcentral.com.au/Baseball%20Web%20Pages/ABL.htm The Australian Baseball League: 1989–1999]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060526052044/http://www.australianbaseballhistory.webcentral.com.au/Baseball%20Web%20Pages/ABL.htm The Australian Baseball League: 1989–1999]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060526052127/http://www.australianbaseballhistory.webcentral.com.au/Baseball%20Web%20Pages/International.htm Australian National Baseball after the ABL]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060526052127/http://www.australianbaseballhistory.webcentral.com.au/Baseball%20Web%20Pages/International.htm Australian National Baseball after the ABL]
* [https://archive.is/20121230082857/http://www.baseball.com.au/myclub/tools/nattree.asp?MenuID=Contacts/5/0&MenuID=Contacts/5/0 Australian Baseball Links]
* [https://archive.today/20121230082857/http://www.baseball.com.au/myclub/tools/nattree.asp?MenuID=Contacts/5/0&MenuID=Contacts/5/0 Australian Baseball Links]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060526170901/http://www.baseball.org.au/site/baseball/abf/downloads/151101BBBackgrounder.doc Background of Australian Baseball]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060526170901/http://www.baseball.org.au/site/baseball/abf/downloads/151101BBBackgrounder.doc Background of Australian Baseball]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061011043319/http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds/ AMLB]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061011043319/http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds/ AMLB]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Baseball League (1989-99)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Baseball League (1989-99)}}
[[Category:Australian Baseball League (1989–99)| ]]
[[Category:Australian Baseball League (1989–1999)| ]]
[[Category:Defunct baseball leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct baseball leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct professional sports leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:Defunct professional sports leagues in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1987]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1987]]
[[Category:Organizations disestablished in 1999]]
[[Category:Sports leagues disestablished in 1999]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:1999 disestablishments in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 19:27, 13 September 2024

This article is about the league disbanded in 1999. For the new league started in 2010, see Australian Baseball League.

Australian Baseball League
SportBaseball
Founded1987
FounderAustralian Baseball Federation
First season1989–90
Ceased1999
No. of teams17 (total)
Country Australia
Last
champion(s)		Gold Coast Cougars (1998–99)
Most titlesWaverly/Melbourne Reds (3)
Related
competitions		Claxton Shield

The Australian Baseball League (ABL) was a baseball league, established in 1987 and disbanded in 1999.

Formation

[edit]
Main article: Claxton Shield

Before the formation of the Australian Baseball League, the Claxton Shield, established in 1934, was Australia's premier baseball tournament.[1][2] The idea of an Australian baseball league was first conceived in 1987, possibly prompted by the success of Australia's National Basketball League. The final Claxton Shield competition was held in 1988 by the Auburn Baseball Club in New South Wales at its home ground of Oriole Park. Auburn funded all visiting teams' fares and accommodation with the expectation of recouping from gate takings and increased revenue at its social club.[3] Soon after, the ABL was formed, with eight teams from around Australia.

Competition structure

[edit]

The Australian Baseball League was much like many other professional baseball leagues around the world, with teams playing home and away series during a regular season, playing to compete in the playoffs, the winner of which being crowned champions.

The season length ranged from 42 to 62 games, depending on the number of teams in the season. The competition used the designated hitter rule, much like the Major League Baseball's American League, but allowed aluminium bats for non-MLB contracted players, with the contracted players using wood. There were also allowances in place for pinch runners to run for a catcher if he made base safely, this was put in place for not only speed up the break between innings waiting for a catcher to change into his gear, but to create more excitement on the basepaths. Import restrictions also applied in the League as to nurture home grown talent[4]

The ABL experimented with many different types of scheduling to try to increase attendances, including day and night games at different times of the week, seven-inning double headers. The length of games became a problem as many grounds had night curfews.

League history

[edit]

The Australian Baseball League consisted of between six and nine teams over its 10 years of existence, with its highest point being in 1995, with nine teams competing. Championships were decided by a top-two five-game playoff series for the first three seasons before changing to a top-four playoff series with winners advancing to the championship series. Following the change to the top four format, both semi-finals and the championship series were played as best-of-three series.

  • 1989–90

The Australian Baseball League formally got underway in October 1989, representing Australia's first professional "major league"[clarification needed] of baseball. Officially, the first ABL game was contested between Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants at Parry Field in Perth on 27 October 1989, with the Giants winning 8-5.[citation needed] The inaugural season was dominated by the Waverley Reds a record of 34 wins and 6 losses, who only lost 2 games at home in 19 starts, and took the Championship series 3 games to 1 against their crosstown rivals, the Melbourne Monarchs.[5]

  • 1990–91

The 1990–91 ABL championship was won by the Perth Heat, who defeated the minor premiers, the Gold Coast's Daikyo Dolphins, by three games to two.[5][6]

  • 1991–92

In a reversal of the previous season, the 1991–92 ABL title was won by the Daikyo Dolphins, who defeated the Perth Heat three games to one.[5]

  • 1992–93

The first year of the four-team finals format, the championship series saw the Melbourne Monarchs face the minor premier Perth Heat at Perth's Parry Field, having eliminated the Sydney Blues and Waverley Reds, respectively. The Melbourne Monarchs defeated the Heat two games to nil in the final to clinch the 1992–93 ABL championship.[5]

  • 1993–94

Won by the Brisbane Bandits, who defeated the minor premier Sydney Blues two games to nil in the championship series held at Parramatta Stadium. The Perth Heat and Adelaide Giants, respectively, were the two defeated semi-finalists.[5]

  • 1994–95

Won by the Waverley Reds, who defeated the Perth Heat two games to nil at Moorabbin Oval. The Sydney Blues (defeated by the Reds) and East Coast Cougars (defeated by the Heat) were eliminated in the semi-finals.[5]

  • 1995–96

Won by the Sydney Blues, who defeated the Melbourne Reds two games to nil in the Blues' only season at the old Sydney Showground at Moore Park. In the first time a team had reached the final from fourth place, the Reds defeated the minor premier Brisbane Bandits in the semi-final, while the Perth Heat were eliminated by the Blues.[5]

  • 1996–97

Won by the Perth Heat, who defeated the Brisbane Bandits in three games.[5]

  • 1997–98

Won by the Melbourne Reds, who defeated the East Coast Cougars in two games.[5]

  • 1998–99

The final ABL Championship, held as a test event at the new Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park, was taken in two games by the Gold Coast Cougars (who defeated the Sydney Storm), after the Adelaide Giants dominated the regular season.[5]

Decline and sale

[edit]

The ABL had a total running cost of $6 million by the later half of the 1990s, due to a lack of sponsorship and gate takings the league was only raising $4 million by the final season.[7] Due to these mounting debts the Australian Baseball Federation sold off the rights to the league and Claxton Shield to Australian baseballer David Nilsson for a reported $5 million who replaced it with the International Baseball League of Australia, which in turn folded in 2002.[8]

Original clubs

[edit]

Over the ten years of the Australian Baseball League, a total of twelve franchise licences were issued; most seasons the ABL had a total of eight teams, but had as many as nine, and, for the final season, six. The founding eight teams of the Australian Baseball League were:

  • Adelaide Giants: The Giants competed in all ten seasons of the ABL but did not make the championship playoffs once.
  • Brisbane Bandits: The Bandits competed in the first nine seasons but dropped out of the final season due to not having a suitable venue, The Bandits won one championship and finished runner-up in another.
  • Gold Coast Clippers: The Clippers had many different names over their ten years in the ABL: The Daikyo Dolphins from 1990 to 1993 due to a sponsorship with Japanese company Daikyo, then the East Coast Cougars and finally Gold Coast Cougars. This franchise won two championships and were runner-up in a further two times.
  • Melbourne Monarchs: The Monarchs competed in nine of the ten seasons, they were expelled from the league after the 1991–92 season, but were re-admitted for the 1992–93. The Monarchs won one ABL title (1992–93) and were runner-up to the Reds once (1989–90).
  • Parramatta Patriots: The Patriots competed in the first three seasons with their best result being third in 1990. The Patriots disbanded after the 1991–92 season due to heavy financial losses, and the Sydney Blues purchased their licence.
  • Sydney Metros: The Metros had the dishonour of being the least successful team in the ABL and also having the shortest history, as they folded shortly after the 1989–90 season. The Metros' licence was purchased by the Sydney Wave.
  • Perth Heat: The Heat were the second-most successful team in the league, winning the title twice and finishing runner-up a further three times.
  • Waverley Reds: The Reds were the most successful team in the league, being the only team to win three ABL titles, while also finishing runner-up once. The Reds also held the regular-season single-game attendance record (and second-highest overall) of 11,444, in the 1991–92 season against then-cross-town rivals the Melbourne Bushrangers at Waverley Oval. The Reds changed their name to the Melbourne Reds after the 1993–94 season in an attempt to broaden their supporter base.

Later additions

[edit]

Later additions to the league were:

  • Melbourne Bushrangers: The Bushrangers were brought in to replace the Monarchs after they were expelled, and played two seasons in Melbourne before moving north to Canberra. They thus changed their name to the Canberra Bushrangers and competed for a further two seasons before going broke.
  • Sydney Blues: The Blues purchased their licence from the Parramatta Patriots. Due to the marketing problems associated with having the same name as the NSW cricket team [Blues] the name was changed to the Sydney Storm. The team won one championship and finished runner-up under the Blues name; they also finished runner-up once more under the Storm name. The Blues held the overall single-game attendance record, with a 1994 finals series game against the Brisbane Bandits drawing 13,764 to Parramatta Stadium.[9]
  • Sydney Wave: The Wave was formed after purchasing its licence of the Sydney Metros. The Wave had no real impact on the league, lasting only two seasons before folding with heavy financial losses. Their licence was then sold to the Hunter Eagles.
  • Hunter Eagles: The Eagles had slightly more success in the ABL than their previous two licence-holders, lasting for a total of four seasons. The Eagles were excluded from the 1998–99 season after not being able to supply enough funds to run the team for the upcoming season.

Players

[edit]

The ABL experienced a lot of baseball talent not only from Australia, but from overseas, with over 90 MLB or future MLB players playing over the history of the competition.[10] Many of these import players were sent to Australia from rookie ball up to advanced A (with some exceptions) as a winter ball league that provided a different environment to winter leagues in Latin America. It proved to be a good 'instructional league' for MLB organisations or even for extended rehabilitation. Many of the import players would not come back for a second season as they were either advanced in their organisation, or replaced by a different player who was thought could benefit from playing in Australia.

League records

[edit]

New Australian Baseball League

[edit]
See also: Australian Baseball League
The reformed Australian Baseball League starts November 2010

While no confirmation was forthcoming from either source, plans were apparently hatched between the Australian Baseball Federation and Major League Baseball to re-establish an Australian national league in November 2008.[11][12] The new national league was proposed to run for 10 weeks from November 2008 to February 2009 and to be partly funded by Major League Baseball.[13]

On 10 August 2007 it was announced the 2008 Claxton Shield would be run as a "home and away" series. The revamped series was made up of two pools of three teams, with each team playing three home and three away games against the other two teams in its pool. Pool A was to be made up of the Victoria Aces, Perth Heat and South Australia, and Pool B was to be made up of the New South Wales Patriots, Queensland Rams and Australia Provincial. The revamped series was run from late December 2007 to early February 2008.[11][14]

The 2009 series followed a similar format, but without the Australia Provincial team, resulting in each team playing each other team once in either a home or an away three-game series, in addition to a "showcase" round to start the season, held in Sydney with each team playing every other team once over the course of the week.

On 1 July 2009, a joint announcement was made by the Australian Baseball Federation, Australian Federal Government and Major League Baseball stating the intention to resurrect a national baseball league for Australia, with the Government announcing A$400,000 towards the new league.[15]

It was originally planned that the Australian Baseball League would eventually have a 60-game season from November to February consisting of teams from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney with a pending spot for Canberra. The league is 75% owned by Major League Baseball and 25% by the Australian Baseball Federation. The first ABL season is scheduled for November–February 2009/2010, but will be run under the banner of the 2010 Claxton Shield with 2011 season scheduled to be the first 'official' season. Some players will be paid, and some will not, with an average salary expected to be about A$800 per month. Players will be under contract, although the system of player-league relations will be highly centralized in the ABF for the league's early years in order to ensure cheap and efficient league operation. In November 2009 referendums were held on team names.[16]

In November 2009, the Australian Baseball League approved Canberra's bid for a 6th spot in the inaugural ABL season with the ACT Government contributing $75,000 for the first season, and $30,000 every other season. Also, the franchise already has over $64,000 from 3200 people pledging support at $20 a head during the bid attempt. ActewAGL, Rolfe Audi were announced as major sponsors of the team.[17]

In May, 2010, the Australian Baseball League made steps towards marketing their product, producing a website and two advertisements shown on ESPN Australia and ONE HD. The logo was officially unveiled and the Melbourne franchise's general manager, Stephen Nash, announced a 40-game season between six franchises over 10 weeks from November to January, with a post-season finals series in February.[18]

On 5 August 2010, the team names for the Australian Baseball League were made public. They include the Brisbane Bandits, the Sydney Blue Sox, the Canberra Cavalry, the Melbourne Aces, the Adelaide Bite and the Perth Heat.

Since its beginning in 2010, the Australian Baseball League has expanded to have 8 teams on its roster, with the addition of the Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea in the 2018/2019 Season.[19] The League has also been divided into the South-West Division and the North-East Division.[19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Claxton Shield History Archived July 22, 2012, at archive.today, Australian Baseball Federation
  2. ^ Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League Archived March 30, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Clark, Joe (2003). A History of Australian Baseball. Lincoln, NE, United States: University of Nebraska Press. p. 127. ISBN 0-8032-6440-2. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  4. ^ Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League - Rules and the Competition Archived March 30, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "AMLB Results Page". Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on 4 March 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  6. ^ Australian Baseball League (1996). Australian Baseball League 1996/97 Media Guide., p. 128-137.
  7. ^ Gene Stephan (30 November 2006). "Americans back new Aussie baseball league". The West Australian.
  8. ^ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2000). "David Nilsson". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
  9. ^ Australian Baseball League (1996). Australian Baseball League 1996/97 Media Guide., p. 182.
  10. ^ Flintoff and Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball - US Majors Archived August 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ a b "Claxton Shield "home and away" series a dress rehearsal". geelongbaseball.com.au. 10 August 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2007.
  12. ^ Chris Egan (27 July 2007). "Geelong or Melbourne for Baseball team". austadiums.com.
  13. ^ Michael Gleeson (5 July 2007). "Punt Road baseball pitch interests Tigers". The Age.
  14. ^ Ben Foster (22 August 2007). "BASEBALL IS BACK…AND IT'S COMING YOUR WAY!". baseball.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 July 2012.
  15. ^ Jennifer Stockman (1 July 2009). "Australian Baseball looks toward a bright future". Gold Coast, QLD: Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  16. ^ ABL Basic Player Information[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ Fitzgerald, Peter (19 November 2009). "Canberra's national-league bid hits home run". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 22 November 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
  18. ^ Nash, Stephen. "The Countdown Continues". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  19. ^ a b "Team Rosters | theABL.com.au". theabl.com.au. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
[edit]
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