Australian Baseball League
Most recent season or competition: Australian Baseball Federation & Major League Baseball | |
First season | 2010–11 |
---|---|
Owner(s) | Baseball Australia |
CEO | Glenn Williams |
COO | Michael Crooks |
No. of teams | 6 |
Country | Australia |
Continent | Australia |
Most recent champion(s) | Adelaide Giants (2nd title) |
Most titles | Brisbane Bandits, Perth Heat (4 titles) |
Qualification | Asia Series (2011–2013) |
TV partner(s) | MLB Network (United States) Sky Sport (New Zealand) Eleven Sports (Taiwan) MBC Sports+ (South Korea) |
Streaming partner(s) | Baseball+ YouTube Streamer |
Related competitions | Claxton Shield |
Official website | theabl.com.au |
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) is a
Because the ABL's season takes place from November to February, the ABL is one of baseball's recognised winter leagues (although it is summer in Australia when the season takes place), where minor-league prospects in North America are often assigned as an English-speaking alternative to the primary Spanish-speaking Latin America-based winter leagues.
Organisation
The ABL was originally jointly owned by
As a result of the central ownership of the teams, all
History
Baseball was brought to Australia by American gold miners and played on the gold fields of Ballarat for fun on their rest days in the 1850s. Cricketers Gaggin & Goldsmith tried to play baseball at Yarra Park, Melbourne in 1867, but Australian rules football fans arriving for the adjacent football disrupted the games. The first series of full competitive games of baseball by Australians were played by members of the Surry Baseball Club on Moore Park and by members of the NSW Cricket Association on the adjacent Sydney Cricket Ground in June/July 1878. In 1881, American residents formed a Union Baseball Club and a year later with Australians, formed a Sydney Baseball Club with U.S. Consul Gilderoy Wells Griffin forming a NSW Baseball Association in 1885. Following the A.G. Spalding tour by the Chicago White Sox and All-America teams in 1888 & 1889, Harry Simpson stayed in Australia, formed baseball clubs in Melbourne, Adelaide, Broken Hill, and eventually Sydney with competition games being played. Simpson also travelled to New Zealand to promote baseball. When he suddenly died in September 1891, after setting up the NSW Baseball League, it was a New Zealander, Tony Chuck, who took his place in Australia.
Original league
The financial difficulties were not restricted to the clubs, as the league was forced to close after the summer of 2000. Running at a loss of
Formation
On 1 July 2009, a joint press-conference was held by the
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 had not been ruled out though.[7] Auckland Tuatara joined in 2018.
There were additional concerns about the viability of a team based in
In August 2009, a bid process was launched by the 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".[10] 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 and Sydney that were at the time confirmed.[2] 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.[11]
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.
List of champions
Career records
|
|
Single-season records
|
|
- ^ Minimum 2.7 PAs per team game. Correct as of 2021–22 Australian Baseball League season
- ^ Minimum 0.8 IP per team game. Correct as of 2021–22 Australian Baseball League season
Season structure
This section needs to be updated.(January 2024) |
Regular season
For the inaugural season, the regular season was played from November through to January over ten weeks, similarly to the 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 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 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 was included in the series.[14]
The 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 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 games per team; one of the two series played against each opponent expanded from 4 to 5 games.[15]
The 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 games long, and were billed as "... against their two closest geographical neighbours; building upon both traditional and newly established rivalries."[16] 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 weeks were made up of 4-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.[17]
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 Team Australia and a team of World All-Stars, selected from the import or international players participating in the ABL at the time.[18]
Season | Venue | Host team |
Game result | Most Valuable Player | Ref | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winning team | Score | Losing team | Player | All-Star Game team | ABL team | |||||||
Details
|
Perth |
Perth Heat | World All-Stars | 8 – 5 | Team Australia | Tyler Collins | World All-Stars | Sydney Blue Sox | [19] | |||
Details
|
Melbourne |
Melbourne Aces | Team Australia | 6 – 4 | World All-Stars | Brad Harman | Team Australia | Melbourne Aces | [20] | |||
2013–14 Details |
Melbourne |
Melbourne Aces | World All-Stars | 6 – 0 | Team Australia | Joey Wong | World All-Stars | Perth Heat | [21] | |||
2014–15 Details |
Melbourne |
Melbourne Aces | Team Australia | 11 – 8 | World All-Stars | Brad Harman | Team Australia | Melbourne Aces | [22] | |||
2015–16 Details |
Melbourne |
Melbourne Aces | Team Australia | 3 – 2 | World All-Stars | Trent D'Antonio | Team Australia | Sydney Blue Sox | ||||
2016–17 Details |
Melbourne |
Melbourne Aces | Team Australia | 2-1 | World All-Stars | Stefan Welch | Team Australia | Adelaide Bite
|
||||
2017–18 Details |
Melbourne |
Melbourne Aces | World All-Stars | 6-4 | Team Australia | Jay Baum | World All-Stars | Canberra Cavalry |
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,[23] 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.[24] 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.[25]
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.[26]
For the 2017–18 season, the ABL announced that the top four teams at the end of the regular home and away season would qualify for the semifinals, providing more opportunities for teams to compete for Championship glory. Teams will be seeded from #1 to #4 based on their record and finishing order in the home and away season. The #1 Seed and #2 Seed will be awarded home semi-finals, and will host all three games in a best of three series. The ABLCS will be a home and away split series with the Highest Seeded Winner awarded the choice to host either Game 1, OR Games 2 and 3.
Postseason structure for 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons | Postseason structure 2012–13 season – 2016–17 season | Postseason structure 2017–18 | Postseason structure 2018-19 - current
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
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.[14]
In the 2018–19 season, a Wild Card game was added as part of the league's expansion to 8 teams with the winner advancing to the divisional semi-finals, and Canberra won the inaugural game against the Melbourne Aces.
Asia Series
After the inaugural ABL season had been completed, it was announced that the league's champions each season would be invited to the restarted Asia Series.
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.[29]
Roster formation
In any regular four-game series (or fewer), the players eligible to play, or 'Active List', is limited to 22 players. Three ineligible 'Reserve List' players are named on each roster that may replace an active player mid-series due to injury or a reserve player completing a suspension. In addition to the Active List, four 'Development List' players may be named to play during the series. These development list players must be 23 years of age or younger, have Australian citizenship or residency and not yet accumulated 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched. Such development players are not eligible to appear in extra innings games.
The majority of the rosters in the league are made up of local and international players who play their northern hemisphere summer in
Since the inaugural season, there have been limitations on the number of internationals or 'imports' either on an active roster or any given game. As of 2018, a cumulative points system is in place to limit the number of foreign born players over the course of a season. 150 points may be used cumulatively over the season's ten series.
For the 2020–2021 season only, this was changed to 360 points used on a per game basis across 24 regular season games. Non-affiliated overseas players were also changed from 4 points to 2.
Level | Level of Play | Player Points |
---|---|---|
1 | Marquee Players | 0 |
2 | Australian National Identified Players | -1 |
3 | All other Oceanic Players | -2 |
4 | Asian League Players ( NPB )
|
1 |
5 | MLB Affiliated Players
|
2 |
6 | All other players | 4 |
Teams may nominate two Marquee Players who were either:
- On an MLB active roster that year, previous MLB All-Star, or 5 + years' MLB service time
- A CPBL, NPB or KBO contracted player, previous All-Star or 5 + years' service time in those leagues.
In addition to Australian players, New Zealand citizens and residents are considered native players for Auckland and South Korean players for Geelong.
Media coverage
As of the 2019–20 season, the live coverage is provided by:
- Kayo Sports - Select regular season games (Australia)
- Sky Sport (New Zealand) - Auckland Tuatara home games (New Zealand)
- MBC Sports+ - Geelong-Korea games (South Korea)
- 1116 SEN - Select Melbourne Aces games
- YouTube - 'ABL TV' all other games not geo-blocked/blacked out
- Eleven Sports (United States & Taiwan)
- Cox Sports Television (United States)
- Fox Sports(Southeast Asia)
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
On 1 November 2010, Sydney
The
For the second season, Fox Sports expanded its television coverage of the ABL to include the
For the
ESPN has broadcast live the 2013–14, 2014–15, and 2015–16 Championship series'.[42][43][44] In addition, the 2014–15 and 2015–16 series' were broadcast in the United States on MLB Network and online on MLB.com, and in Asia on Fox Sports Asia.[43][44]
According to Ministry of Sport, the 2018/19 ABL season became the most viewed since its inception.[45]
Current clubs
Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded | Joined | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adelaide Giants | Adelaide, South Australia | Diamond Sports Stadium Norwood Oval (occasional) |
5,000 22,000 |
2009 | 2010 | [46] |
Brisbane Bandits | Brisbane, Queensland | Brisbane Exhibition Ground (occasional)
|
1,500 26,000 |
2009 | 2010 | [47] |
Canberra Cavalry | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Narrabundah Ballpark | 2,250 | 2010 | [48] | |
Melbourne Aces | Victoria
|
Melbourne Ballpark | 5,000 | 2009 | 2010 | [49] |
Perth Heat | Perth, Western Australia | Baseball Park
|
4,000 | 1989 | 2010 | [50] |
Sydney Blue Sox | Sydney, New South Wales | Blue Sox Stadium | 3,000 | 2009 | 2010 | [51] |
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
Prior to being renamed the Giants, the
Prior to the 2016–17 ABL season, the Adelaide Bite's home ground,
Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea both folded following the 2022–23 Australian Baseball League season.[53][54]
Potential expansion
In November 2017, the league officially announced plans to add two more teams for the 2018–19 season. The expanded eight team league will continue to work with partners around the region.[55] On 6 April 2018, it was announced that a New Zealand team based in Auckland would be joining the league for the 2018–19 season.[56] On 18 May 2018, it was announced that an all-Korean team based in Geelong would be joining the league for the 2018–19 season.[57]
After the expansion of the league into Auckland and Geelong in the 2018–19 season the league immediately benefited from an exponential increase in viewership numbers and has looked to expand to ten teams as early as the 2020–21 season.[58] An additional two teams would be similar to the Geelong-Korea concept; a foreign sponsored roster based in an Australian city. These teams would have Japanese, Taiwanese or even Chinese comprised rosters.[59]
The league has publicly stated the most likely expansion to ten teams would be based in regional Australia, being either Tasmania, Wollongong, Alice Springs or a second team in either far south or north Queensland.[60]
A second team in New Zealand, Lismore, Newcastle and the Gold Coast have also been mentioned as other potential expansion cities.[61]
Women's Australian Baseball League
In October 2018, it was announced by Baseball Australia that it was working towards a women's ABL and began a process of
Four teams were confirmed to be a part of the first season with licenses were granted to the Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits, Canberra Cavalry and Baseball Victoria. Auckland, Geelong, Perth and Sydney opted against submitting a team in the inaugural competition, but expressed interest in joining after the first season. The Melbourne Aces were not part of the licensing process due to a then ongoing change of management.
Exhibition games and testing are set to take place during the 2020 Women's Nationals and beyond.[63]
Major partners and sponsors
Naming rights sponsors
Sponsor | Naming Rights | Resulting Name | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
Alcohol Think Again | Perth Heat | Alcohol Think Again Perth Heat | [64] |
Sa power network | Adelaide Giants | Adelaide Giants | |
Melbourne Aces | Melbourne Aces | ||
Canberra Cavalry | Canberra Cavalry | ||
Sydney Blue Sox | Sydney Blue Sox | ||
Couran Cove Island Resort | Brisbane Bandits | Couran Cove Brisbane Bandits | [65] |
Licensed sponsors & suppliers
- New Era – Caps[66]
- Brett Bros Sport - Bats, balls and protective gear[67]
- Kayo Sports - Broadcast partner (Australia)
- Virgin Australia - Airline partner
- The Hertz Corporation- Rental car partner
See also
- Australian Baseball League (1989-1999)
- Claxton Shield
- International Baseball League of Australia
References
- ^ "Australian Baseball League to go ahead in 2016, without financial support of Major League Baseball".
- ^ a b Foster, Ben (25 August 2009). "Australian Baseball League – Player Information and Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
- ^ "Sydney 2000 — David Nilsson". ABC News Online. 2000. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
- ^ Stockman, Jennifer (1 July 2009). "Australian Baseball looks toward a bright future". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
- News Limited. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
- ^ Stockman, Jennifer (2 July 2009). "Australia to establish new league". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
- ^ "NZ offered place in Aussie baseball league". NZCity. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
- News Limited. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
- News Limited. Archivedfrom the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2009.
- ^ "Let's Do It Canberra". Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Peter (19 November 2009). "Canberra's national-league bid hits home run". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- ^ "Name Your Team". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- ^ "Australian Baseball League set to re-launch in November 2010" (Press release). Major League Baseball. 8 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ a b "Frequently Asked Questions". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- ^ Sedgman, Cassandra (23 May 2011). "2011/12 ABL Game Schedule" (PDF). Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
- ^ Whitaker, Terry (1 June 2012). "ABL announces 2012/13 season schedule". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
Circuit's third season features record 138 games
- ^ Sedgman, Cassandra (24 May 2012). "2012/13 ABL Game Schedule" (PDF). Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "ABL announces inaugural All-Star Game in Perth". Australian Baseball League. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
Australian National Team to face ABL's best imports in showcase tilt
- ^ Player, Xavier (16 December 2012). "Australia down World in All-Star thriller". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
Lindsay earns victory for national team
- ^ Romano, Ross (21 December 2012). "World All-Stars prevail in inaugural showcase". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
Sydney's Collins named MVP in first All-Star Game
- ^ Costello, Kerryn (18 December 2013). "World All-Stars dominate Team Australia". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
Wong earns All-Star Game MVP honours
- ^ "Huge eighth propels Thunder to win". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
Australia rally for eight runs in inning to defeat World Stars
- ^ "ABL Playoff Schedule". Australian Baseball League. 7 January 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ "2012 Postseason Schedule". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ Morton, Jim (5 August 2010). "ABL takes a healthy bite". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 7 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- ^ "Playoff Procedures – Format for 2012/13 season". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
- Seven West Media Limited. Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ Huang, Paul (19 May 2011). "CPBL: Asia Series to get under way after two-year hiatus". Taipei Times. Liberty Times Group. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- ^ Schroder, Mark (18 May 2011). "ABL Champions To Battle Asia's Best". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
- News Limited. Archivedfrom the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
- ^ Polkinghorne, David (8 January 2011). "League is pitching for TV deal". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ Schroder, Mark (25 January 2011). "Delta Partners with ABL for Post-Season". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "Program – Summer of baseball". Summer of Baseball. Triple H FM. 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- ^ "Heat Radio Broadcast Schedule". Perth Heat. Australian Baseball League. 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ "Internet Broadcast". Adelaide Bite. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ "Bandits Live". Brisbane Bandits. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ "Heat TV". Perth Heat. Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
- ^ "ABL announces inaugural All-Star Game in Perth" (Press release). Australian Baseball League. 4 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ "Worldwide Television Coverage". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ "ABLCS Television and Radio Coverage". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ "Regular season games to be televised". TheABL.com.au. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Costello, Kerryn (3 February 2014). "Championship Series to air live on ESPN". Little League. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ a b "2015 ABLCS to be live on ESPN Aus/NZ". TheABL.com.au. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ a b Brudnicki, Alexis (5 February 2016). "ABL Championship Series Game 1 Preview". Baseball Queensland. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ^ "The ABL Breaks Multiple Records With Successful Expansion". Ministry of Sport. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Adelaide Giants Homepage". Adelaide Giants. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Brisbane Bandits Homepage". Brisbane Bandits. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Canberra Cavalry Homepage". Canberra Cavalry. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 8 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Melbourne Aces Homepage". Melbourne Aces. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Perth Heat Homepage". Perth Heat. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Sydney Blue Sox Homepage". Sydney Blue Sox. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Adelaide Bite – Norwood Oval".
- ^ Long, David (14 May 2023). "The extinction of the Tuatara, why NZ's professional baseball team went bust". Stuff. Stuff Ltd. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Geelong-Korea exits the Australian Baseball League ahead of 2023/24 season". ABL.com.au. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ "Brand new dawn: ABL set for expansion | Australian Baseball League News | The Official Site of the Australian Baseball League". Australian Baseball League. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ TheABL.com.au. "ABL structure confirmed | Australian Baseball League News | The Official Site of the Australian Baseball League". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "All-Korean team to join Australian Baseball League". Yonhap News Agency. 18 May 2018.
- ^ "ABL season the most viewed of all time - Australasian Leisure Management". www.ausleisure.com.au.
- ^ "Australian Baseball League eyes future expansion to Wellington, Christchurch". Stuff. 22 May 2019.
- ^ McGuane, Jarryd (27 May 2019). "Pursuit for a new league". The Advocate.
- ^ "MLB, Asia to help 'overdue' ABL expansion". www.couriermail.com.au. 13 November 2017.
- ^ "Baseball Australia to launch world's second dedicated national women's league - ABC News". ABC News. 24 October 2019.
- ^ "Australia one step closer to a professional women's baseball league". Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Ministry of Sport
- ^ "Heat Media Guide" (PDF). Perth Heat. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "ABL's Brisbane Bandits sign two new naming rights deals". 29 October 2018.
- ^ Owen, John (6 October 2010). "New Era named headwear provider". Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
Inaugural New Era/ABL baseball caps now on sale
- ^ ABL backs Brett Brothers Sports