After a highly successful debut year on the Baseball Australia events calendar in 2016, the Australian Senior League Championship returns this year to beautiful Lismore, NSW.
The championship for 13-17 year olds will see nine charter teams from all across Australia compete at the Albert Park Baseball Complex, with the tournament running from 14-19 May. These charters are made up of the best players from their local associations.
For the nine competing teams at this year’s edition, there is a lot to play for, with the winner of the Australian Championship gaining automatic entry to the Senior League World Series.
2017 is the first year that the Australian Senior League Champion will gain automatic entry to the World Series, with 2016 champions Southern Mariners (VIC) needing to win the Asia-Pacific Championship to seal a berth at the World Series.
The Mariners took out the inaugural championship in 2016 with a win over Hills (NSW) in the Gold Medal Game. They then went on to win the Asia-Pacific Championship, before eventually claiming the silver medal at the 2016 Senior League World Series. An incredible effort considering the Mariners was the first Australian team to represent at the Senior League World Series.
This championship has extra significance, as it will be the first tournament at the Albert Park Baseball Complex since the devastating effects of ex-tropical cyclone Debbie. The work of the Far North Coast Baseball Association volunteers has been incredible, with the quality of the fields and facilities a testament to their determination and unity.
13 games including the semi finals, bronze and gold medal games will be streamed live on www.abltv.com.
All streamed games will be available live and on-demand through Baseball Live, the new Baseball Australia app. Live scoring for all 34 games will also be available through Baseball Live. To download Baseball Live, click here.