Australian baseball

[Jeffles]

Thanks for the photos. They are OK crowds considering the lack of profile.

I can't believe they persist with Norwood given the short rght field but I guess the fans like it or the authorities are willing to host. You'd think other SANFL venues would be more appropriate.

[dan027]

Thanks for the photos. They are OK crowds considering the lack of profile.

I can't believe they persist with Norwood given the short rght field but I guess the fans like it or the authorities are willing to host. You'd think other SANFL venues would be more appropriate.

How deep is the norwood right field? on google earth i worked out something like 290 is about the max? comparing this to

Geelong; right field 331ft and left field 321ft with a weird squared fence with points at 387ft and 377ft in the middle
Altona; 330ft in the corners to 395 in the middle

Blacktown; 320ft in the corners, out to 390ft in the middle
Auburn; 330ft in the corners to 380ft in the middle

Red Lands; 333ft in the corners to 395ft in the middle
Holloway; Left field 316ft, Right field 322ft, Centre field 380ft
Palm Meadows; 326ft in the corners to 388ft in the middle

Baseball Park; 330ft in the corners to 400ft in the middle.

Aslong as it gets preety deep in the middle and has a tall right field fence it COULD be bareable.

It would seem though MLB is not at all happy with the melbourne and sydney crowds

http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au/defa ... Page=60512

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE ABL

On Friday night December 4th the Claxton Shield game between the VICTORIA ACES and NEW SOUTH WALES will be played at La Trobe University at 7.30pm. The reason to move the game is to firstly bring a game back into Melbourne for our baseball community to watch a Claxton Shield game and secondly to send a strong message to Major League Baseball that we Victorians can and will support a Melbourne franchise in the new ABL.

There is no doubt we have been disappointed with the crowds at Geelong and this is not a swipe at the Geelong BayCats Baseball Club but we have been working extremely hard to attract an audience. We have had extensive coverage in the Geelong Advertiser, daily radio commercials and player interviews on K-ROCK , marketing support from the City Of Greater Geelong and player appearances at schools throughout the Geelong area.

The reason to play the games in Geelong was made due to the requirements set out by MLB. The players and coaching staff like the venue for its playing surface and facilities and with the advent of the new Geelong by-pass it saves 10-15 minutes in travel time. Secondly, we need to attract the attention of the government and MLB in sending a strong message regards a playing venue.

It is important for the future of the game and the ABL that we not only support the game at La Trobe University but we make the effort to get to Geelong to show MLB we are serious.

To MLB it is very much a "bums on seats" scenario and they have indicated in very strong terms of their disappointment in the crowd figures both here and in NSW. If the two biggest states cannot attract crowds then serious questions will be asked by MLB as to the continuation of the ABL.

I'm not trying to sound alarmist but these comments have been made and unfortunately we cannot disagree with MLB's thoughts.

Therefore, we must unite as "the sporting capital of the world" and get behind the game at La Trobe University on the 4th but also support the remaining Claxton Shield games in Geelong.

The game on Saturday December 5th will feature Geelong representatives namely dual Premiership full back Matthew Scarlett participating in a Home Run Derby. There will also be a surprise visit from a couple of St Kilda players eager to take on Matthew and avenge the Grand Final defeat.

Further information will follow.

Finally, there has been a lot of behind the scenes work going on by the ABL to ensure the game at La Trobe is a success. The feedback on the forum is very positive but if it doesn't equate to the "bums on seats scenario" the implications for an ABL Melbourne team is in doubt.

However, we need every baseball fan to rally the troops and invite non-baseball people to come and see why we are the sporting capital of the world and why we want a Melbourne ABL franchise.

We would love to see you at the remaining Claxton Shield games supporting our very own VICTORIA ACES.

Yours truly

Stephen Nash
General Manager
ABL - Melbourne

[Egan]

MLB are obviously aiming for attendances around the 2,500 mark...

I would expect Foxtel to announce TV coverage of the new league in the next few weeks...

[krc]

There is a great deal happening as baseball is gearing up to accommodate the new Australian Baseball League from October 2010.

Venues and attendances are the two major sticking points for MLB International, which is bankrolling the new league and has made a long-term commitment. There will be some exciting announcements and developments over coming months - especially during February.

To stay abreast of developments, I'd suggest referring to the following websites:

Victoria Aces (http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au/)
Baseball Victoria (http://www.baseballvictoria.com.au/)
Claxton Shield ( http://www.claxtonshield.baseball.com.au/)

And if you want to really tap into what is going on, might be going on, should be going on and is rumoured to be going on, head to the Baseball Radio Forum.

http://baseballradio.proboards.com/index.cgi?

[Egan]

There will be some exciting announcements and developments over coming months - especially during February.

Brilliant. Sounds good, be interesting to see the traction they get in the media.

[Kris]

There will be some exciting announcements and developments over coming months - especially during February.

Brilliant. Sounds good, be interesting to see the traction they get in the media.

Indeed, even though the Claxton Shield is on atm, they are getting little to no coverage.

[Egan]

Indeed, even though the Claxton Shield is on atm, they are getting little to no coverage.

Which shows the potential of the crowds they will get when they do get media attention in the new ABL...

[krc]

ACES MEDIA RELEASE

Victoria Aces qualify for Claxton play-off

Victoria Aces have placed themselves in an unassailable position at the top of the Claxton Shield table after a comfortable 6-3 win over Perth Heat on Thursday evening.

While there are still two to play in the three match series at Perth’s Baseball Park, the Aces cannot be dislodged from league leadership and will host a best-of three Grand Final series in Melbourne in a fortnight.

Venue and starting times are still to be announced.

Left-armed Donavon Hendricks – from the Waverley Baseball Club - pitched deep into Thursday’s contest, scattering six hits and conceding a sole run over eight complete innings of work.

Hendricks was more than ably supported by an imperious Aces offence that collected seventeen hits – including four each to Matthew Lawman and Andrew Russell, while second-sacker Scott Wearne smacked a solo homer to ignite the visitors in the top of the second.

“Our hitters were really on song for this one,” said Aces Assistant Coach Phil Allen. “We knew that the pressure was on their team – more so than on us – and our guys just went out there to enjoy themselves and have a good game.”

“It was closer than we wanted in the end, but we knew we had the players to do the job.”

Second and third-placed sides after this weekend’s Claxton series will meet in a three game Semi-Final to determine who goes through to challenge the Aces. New South Wales will need to sweep Queensland at Holloway Field in Brisbane while two wins from its remaining games may not be enough for the Heat, who can expect no respite from the Aces.

“We’re happy to have qualified,” Allen said. “But make no mistake about it, we want to bury the Heat. We want to head home on a winning note and give the other clubs plenty to think about if they want to try to beat us in the final.”

Perth Heat vs Victoria Aces Game 2, Baseball Park, 22 January, 7.05 PM start (Perth time)
Perth Heat vs Victoria Aces Game 3, Baseball Park, 23 January, 6.05 PM start (Perth time)


VICTORIA ACES WEBSITE
http://www.vicaces.baseball.com.au

CLAXTON SHIELD WEBSITE
http://www.claxtonshield.baseball.com.au

[Egan]

Victoria definitely did well this year...

Be interesting to see whether many players change sides next year in the ABL, or whether it will be a mostly settled lineup.

[docker]

didn't know where else to put this, but this is a photo, of the WA States Softball Headquarters in Mirrabooka, which is where the State Little League Championships were held over the easter weekend. there are two more diamonds behind the clubhouse...

[Egan]

Cheers Docker!

Good photo.

[dan027]

its a good setup there, have afew photos from when i played softball un19 mens nationals there. are the two dwarfs still running around doing the grounds and scoreboard?

[dan027]

The new ABL released its first tv commercials and launched the new website in the last week.
http://www.theabl.com.au/?Page=65417

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2K-B1XTd1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS6Qn_cTy1s

[dan027]

ABL released the names and launched the websites of the 6 foundation teams on August 5th, Teams are
- Melbourne Aces http://www.melbourneaces.com.au/
- AdelaideBite http://www.adelaidebite.com.au/
- Brisbane Bandits http://brisbanebandits.com.au/
- Canberra Cavalry http://www.canberracavalry.com.au
- Perth Heat http://www.perthheat.baseball.com.au/
- Sydney Blue Sox http://www.sydneybluesox.com.au

Some venues were confirmed aswell:
- Adelaide will play at Norwood Oval
- Canberra will play at (an upgraded) Narrabundah Ballpark
- Perth will play at Baseball Park
- Sydney will play at Blacktown Olympic Park
That leaves just Melbourne and Brisbane without a venue as yet...

[the crow]

What Melbourne dosnt have a world class state of the art 50k base ball ground just meters from the city...

for shame