Well finally after the Australian Baseball League folded some 10 years ago there is now a new national league for Aussie baseball fans.
After the whole league collapsing due to financial difficulty over 10 years ago now the mighty Brisbane Bandits are back!
Along with 5 other teams (all made up of no-name losers I'm sure)
I used to go to every home game, a short walk to the pub after work, 3 beers and a shorter walk to the field. More beers and a great game of ball, then catch the train home. Looking forward to the inaugural season starting in early November, and looking forward to supporting the Brisbane Bandits well into the future.
LEAGUE STRUCTURE & PLAYER RECRUITMENT
What is the Australian Baseball League (ABL), and how will its competition be structured?
The Australian Baseball League is the country's premiere professional baseball competition and will engage fans across the nation. In its inaugural 2010 season, six (6) teams will compete in the ABL: the Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The league will play in the summer season from November until February, featuring an action-packed 40-game schedule. The majority of games will be played on Fridays and Saturdays with occasional games on Sunday and during the week. At the conclusion of the 10-week season, the top four (4) teams advance to the three-round playoffs with the final winners laying claim to the historic and prestigious Claxton Shield.
What players will compete in the ABL and how are they sourced?
You might be surprised to learn that Australia is one of the world's largest producers of professional baseball talent. To date, over 300 Australians have played professional baseball with Major League Baseball affiliated clubs in the United States. For decades, Australian baseballers have excelled on the global stage. The ABL will provide an opportunity for these immensely talented athletes to showcase their talents on home soil. As such the vast majority, approximately 70% of roster spots, will be held by Australian players, drawn from other professional leagues around the globe. In baseball, the player list is referred to as the "roster," and ABL rosters will feature 22 men, with nine, including the pitcher, competing on the field at any one time. The ABL works closely with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball to identify talented players in each club system who would benefit from the coaching, training and development provided by the ABL. In addition, the ABL will source import players from other premiere international leagues.
After the whole league collapsing due to financial difficulty over 10 years ago now the mighty Brisbane Bandits are back!
Along with 5 other teams (all made up of no-name losers I'm sure)
I used to go to every home game, a short walk to the pub after work, 3 beers and a shorter walk to the field. More beers and a great game of ball, then catch the train home. Looking forward to the inaugural season starting in early November, and looking forward to supporting the Brisbane Bandits well into the future.
LEAGUE STRUCTURE & PLAYER RECRUITMENT
What is the Australian Baseball League (ABL), and how will its competition be structured?
The Australian Baseball League is the country's premiere professional baseball competition and will engage fans across the nation. In its inaugural 2010 season, six (6) teams will compete in the ABL: the Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The league will play in the summer season from November until February, featuring an action-packed 40-game schedule. The majority of games will be played on Fridays and Saturdays with occasional games on Sunday and during the week. At the conclusion of the 10-week season, the top four (4) teams advance to the three-round playoffs with the final winners laying claim to the historic and prestigious Claxton Shield.
What players will compete in the ABL and how are they sourced?
You might be surprised to learn that Australia is one of the world's largest producers of professional baseball talent. To date, over 300 Australians have played professional baseball with Major League Baseball affiliated clubs in the United States. For decades, Australian baseballers have excelled on the global stage. The ABL will provide an opportunity for these immensely talented athletes to showcase their talents on home soil. As such the vast majority, approximately 70% of roster spots, will be held by Australian players, drawn from other professional leagues around the globe. In baseball, the player list is referred to as the "roster," and ABL rosters will feature 22 men, with nine, including the pitcher, competing on the field at any one time. The ABL works closely with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball to identify talented players in each club system who would benefit from the coaching, training and development provided by the ABL. In addition, the ABL will source import players from other premiere international leagues.
I didn't attend a single Nashville Sounds game this year and I bet I missed out on some great games. My Rawlings "Ryne Sandberg" glove never left the closet. 
