For the fledgling league to be successful in the longer term, it is generally acknowledged that baseball needs to be presented as an attractive sporting option for our young people.
Kids, as we know, need heroes. Mentors. Quality people to look up to and aspire to emulate.
For the sixty-two youngsters, a couple of club officials and some supportive parents from Ballarat City Brewers Baseball Club, their experience of last Sunday was indeed memorable - not only because they were witness to Melbourne delivering a convincing win to sweep the Adelaide Bite, but also for the welcoming manner in which they were received by the Aces organisation and players.
"It was just a fantastic day all round," said Brewers Junior Coordinator Dave Myers, who has been overseeing a rebuild of a junior baseball programme in the begonia city.
"The coaches and players were just so friendly and generous with their time while they were preparing for an important game," he said. "It was an absolute buzz for the kids to be allowed on the ground, to hang out with the players and get autographs."
"We can't thank coaching staff and the players enough. The kids didn't stop talking about their day all the way home. They - and their parents - are already planning their next visit to an ABL game."
"The spin-off effect can be enormous for our junior programme - especially when word gets around among mates and families about what fun baseball can be," Myers said.