Austadiums Forum

Egan wrote:

nobleoz wrote:Norwood Oval

I would say that was Baseball helping Australian Rules football. Because it was Baseball that brought lights that were suitable to play matches at night, not just for football but for baseball as well.

Major League Baseball backs Australian Baseball League

By Bernie Pramberg

November 23, 2009 11:00pm

AMERICAN sporting giant Major League Baseball will underwrite the new Australian Baseball League for at least five years.

MLB's Peter Wermuth, who is in Brisbane this week working on infrastructure of the league to be launched next year, said it was the first time his organisation had been financially involved in backing a national competition outside the US.

Wermuth's visit included his first look at a live cricket match when he attended Sunday's All Stars v Australian XI Twenty20 game at the Gabba.

"It was well done . . . interesting," Wermuth said.


The ABL is expected to start in October 2010 and will involve six teams, with another two expected to be added within two years.

Teams from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra will each play 40 games, with the playoffs to be held in February.

"This is a first-time involvement for MLB outside the US," Wermuth said.

"The fact you are in the southern hemisphere means professional players in America and Japan can play the off-season in Australia."

Wermuth said the quality of Australian baseball, which has more than 100 players involved professionally in the US and Asia, was another reason for MLB's commitment.

"I don't think the public here realise just how good the standard of play is," he said.

"The priority is to make the ABL self-sufficient and to showcase Australian talent."

Each team will be allowed a number of imports, probably be limited to four.

Wermuth said the quality of venues in some states was a problem.

"The lack of facilities is kind of surprising considering the standard of the game here," he said.

"The baseball facilities are definitely inferior to places like Italy and Holland."

"The lack of facilities is kind of surprising considering the standard of the game here," he said.

"The baseball facilities are definitely inferior to places like Italy and Holland."

Egan wrote:

"The lack of facilities is kind of surprising considering the standard of the game here," he said.

"The baseball facilities are definitely inferior to places like Italy and Holland."

Mostly talking about QLD, SA and ACT when he mentions these inferior facilities.

Will be interesting to see the success of the ABL.

Egan wrote:Punt Rd conversion would be perfect...

beastjim wrote:I had the thought of using the RNA here in Brisbane. Not sure how well it would work, but its central location would be hard to ignore, including new lights and plenty of carparking and good Public Transport access. I guess it all depends on how many people they think should be attending. This year's facility at Newmarket looks okay, access would be an issue but not impossible. If you look at the map (Market Street, Newmarket), it is directly to the north of Brisbane City's home ground (of NSL fame)