Two weeks ago the Australian Baseball Alumni Association officially launched. We had the opportunity to chat with one of Australia’s most successful all-round Major League Baseball exports Craig Shipley about what the ABAA is and why it was established.
What is the Australian Baseball Alumni Association?
The Australian Baseball Alumni association idea came from a meeting a number of us had in Taiwan in late 2013 while at the 18U World Championships. The idea came from Kevin Hooker (Detroit Tigers Scout) and is based on the premise that there are lots of people in the baseball community who want to reconnect and ultimately give back to the sport.
The Australian Baseball Alumni association idea came from a meeting a number of us had in Taiwan in late 2013 while at the 18U World Championships. The idea came from Kevin Hooker (Detroit Tigers Scout) and is based on the premise that there are lots of people in the baseball community who want to reconnect and ultimately give back to the sport.
Why was ABAA established?
It was established to reconnect anyone and everyone who has an interest in baseball in Australia, and keep them informed about what’s happening in the baseball community.
It was established to reconnect anyone and everyone who has an interest in baseball in Australia, and keep them informed about what’s happening in the baseball community.
Who can be a part of the ABAA?
Anyone who has been involved in our great game: players, officials, friends, family and support staff are all welcome.
Anyone who has been involved in our great game: players, officials, friends, family and support staff are all welcome.
Why did you decide to get involved with the ABAA?
The need for us to start giving back in an organised manner is my primary reason for being involved. Everything I have is because of baseball, I have seen the world, as well as made great friends in and out of Australia. Along with many other baseball alumni, including Brett Ward (Baltimore Orioles Scout) and Mark Marino (ex pro player), we are at a stage in our life where we feel this is a place we can have an impact while expecting nothing in return.
The need for us to start giving back in an organised manner is my primary reason for being involved. Everything I have is because of baseball, I have seen the world, as well as made great friends in and out of Australia. Along with many other baseball alumni, including Brett Ward (Baltimore Orioles Scout) and Mark Marino (ex pro player), we are at a stage in our life where we feel this is a place we can have an impact while expecting nothing in return.
How do you think the association can benefit the sport in Australia?
The ABAA can fill a void that has been open for a long time; it gives us the opportunity to reconnect many of my generation and generations before. It also gives us the opportunity to open up many avenues of support that can do nothing but help the sport.
The ABAA can fill a void that has been open for a long time; it gives us the opportunity to reconnect many of my generation and generations before. It also gives us the opportunity to open up many avenues of support that can do nothing but help the sport.
What are the short term/long term goals of the ABAA?
The short-term goal is to spread the word of ABAA's existence and get as many involved as we can. Long term there are multiple avenues that can lead to the group helping across a number of fronts. For example we will shortly launch a mentoring program that will be available to all college players, national team members and professional players. The mentors will be ex pros and others heavily involved at the top level of our sport in Australia. As a young Australian trying to make a career out of the game you face many obstacles, having someone that came from where you did and experienced the difficulties of this game is something I wish was available to me as a player. These mentors will be available to help any player interested with advice as to how to handle whatever struggle they encounter on their trek to success in the game.
For more information about the Australian Baseball Alumni Association or to become a member visit their website at www.abpaa.com.