An Australian team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is one step closer.
The CPBL last week approved an Australian team enter the minor league in the second half of the 2019 season.
Baseball Australia chief executive officer Cam Vale was in Taiwan recently meeting the CPBL Secretary General Mr. Alex Hsu and is excited to further discussions.
"We are excited to receive confirmation from the CPBL that they have invited us to be part of the Minor League in 2019," Vale said.
"Our goal remains to be part of the CPBL's major league, and we will make a decision regarding the CPBL's Minor League offer in February 2019 once we receive the official terms and conditions from the CPBL."
Following Baseball Australia confirming interest in entering an Australian team into the CPBL in November 2017, both Vale and CPBL Commissioner Mr. John Wu have been in constant communication, ensuring the relationship between Australian and Taiwanese baseball continues to thrive.
Eleven Sports will broadcast a minimum of 40 games of the ABL regular season as well as all playoff games live into Taiwan as part of a history-making broadcast agreement.
Baseball Australia today announced a partnership with the network as the official broadcaster of the Australian Baseball League in Taiwan.
Baseball Australia chief executive officer Cam Vale said the partnership with Eleven Sports has further strengthened the relationships between the ABL and Taiwan.
"This partnership will enable more international fans the opportunity to connect with the ABL," Vale said.
"With last season's unprecedented interest in the league from Taiwan, we expect this broadcast deal to further increase Australian baseball's presence in Taiwan."
Taiwanese megastars Chang Tai-shan Jhang Jin-de and Lin Chih-sheng established themselves as fan favourites during last year's Australian Baseball League season.
Vale believes last season's success set the platform for wide-ranging partnerships between Australian and Taiwanese baseball.
"Our ties with Taiwan continue to grow through a number of various commercial initiatives including an Australian team in the CPBL, and we're excited to enhance our relationship with Taiwan through this partnership with Eleven Sports."
Eleven Sports will highlight the Taiwanese stars that will feature in this year's edition of the Australian Baseball League, including former CPBL Rookie of the Year Hsu Chi-hung, Fubon Guardians outfielder Shen Hao-wei and Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions catcher Kuo Chun-wei. More announcements are expected regarding Taiwanese players in coming days.
Stay tuned for a full broadcast schedule.
Every death of a loved one is tragic, especially when they lose their lives for no good reason. For the Cronin family, they are faced every day with the senseless death of their beloved 19-year-old son Pat, who died after being punched from behind – an attack dubbed the “coward punch.”
Now, Matt and Robyn Cronin have turned their grief and heartache into a determined mission to end the coward punch once and for all. They established the Pat Cronin Foundation in their son’s honour, paving the way for open and honest conversations, community education and fundraising efforts to prevent this horrible violence from stealing another innocent life.
For Ben Portelli, President of the Newport Baseball Club, this story of unimaginable sorrow over losing a child to such an avoidable cause left its mark, especially because he’s known Matt for nearly 8 years. “To see what he and the Cronin family have gone through in the months and years since this tragedy has struck a real chord with me personally,” Ben said. “I wanted to find a way that I could help the Foundation by spreading the word amongst the baseball community.”
To make a difference, Ben and the rest of the Rams family have partnered with the Pat Cronin Foundation to host an Information Night at the club on Thursday, November 1st at 7 PM. This “Be Wise” education session will welcome Matt and Robyn, who will share their story with club members as well as attendees from the greater baseball community. Not only will they speak about the pain of losing Pat to such a devastating and callous act, but they will also offer guidance as to how everyone can play a part in making sure this tragedy doesn’t happen to anyone else.
This event will bring many players, parents and spectators together in support of a very worthwhile cause. “At Newport we believe that we have a responsibility to all of our members to provide them with access to the best club experience, both on the field and off the field,” Ben added. “We have an obligation to our young players and their families to provide access to education and support in all aspects of life, not just baseball. Local sport is all about mateship and looking out for your mates, and if we can provide experiences to our people to display how important that is then it’s our obligation to do so.”
Ben is hopeful this event will showcase the Foundation’s phenomenal work and make a difference by helping people understand the potential consequences of scuffles and arguments that can turn deadly in an instant, as happened with Pat. In April 2016, he went out to a local bar for a quiet night with some friends when he was fatally punched whilst assisting a mate. Pat was just an innocent bystander doing the right thing, yet his life was cut far too short. “We want our people to know to look out for their mates and help get them out of a situation, either as the aggressor or as the innocent victim.”
Matt and Robyn are looking forward to this opportunity to make more people aware of this growing problem and how such sad violence can be stopped. “The connection with Baseball Victoria community provides another avenue to spread our message about the need to change attitudes towards violence and in particular putting an end to the Coward Punch,” Matt said. “Our Be Wise Awareness session at Newport Baseball Club will give us a new audience to tell our very sad story to about the dangers of a Coward Punch.”
Beyond Newport’s Information Night, the Foundation is gearing up for their annual fundraiser called Walk to the Valley. Set for Sunday, November 18th, this year’s Walk will gather thousands of participants for a lovely 8km stroll from Heidelberg to Lower Plenty along the picturesque Yarra and Plenty River Trails. “This is a great opportunity for the community to come together in a peaceful way and send a message to the wider population that we stand against violence and the Coward Punch,” Matt said. “We have a fundraising goal of $100,000 which will help us to deliver our programs in Education, Awareness and Research.”
The Foundation is confident that raising funds and awareness will make a difference and ultimately save lives. 1,500 people joined the walk last year and Matt says they are hoping to increase that figure to 3,000 this time around. By doubling participation, they can expand their efforts and make a strong and clear statement about ending the coward punch.
Matt and Robyn are encouraging Baseball Victoria members, including other local clubs like Newport, to get involved and do their part to minimise violence and encourage friendship instead. It’s a kid-friendly event, as the Lower Plenty Football Club Oval will be transformed into a family fun zone, complete with a jumping castle and giant slide as well as live music and entertainment from Gary Eastwood and much more.
Please learn more about the Pat Cronin Foundation and these fantastic opportunities to get involved on the official website: https://www.patcroninfoundation.org.au/
Baseball Australia are proud to announce Beastwear as the official on-field and off-field apparel partner for all national team players, coaches and officials.
Beastwear is an Australian business that designs and manufactures custom-made performance sportswear, and will be the exclusive global merchandise partner of Baseball Australia.
In such a critical period for Baseball Australia’s national teams, chief executive officer Cam Vale is excited to partner with an emerging brand.
“The next 12 months are critical for our future national team aspirations,” Vale said.
“We’re excited to have secured this partnership with Beastwear, and ensure our national teams from U12 to men’s and women’s are representing their country with pride.”
Beastwear business development manager Chris Papakostas is looking forward to bringing high-quality products to baseballers all over the country.
“The ability to partner with a well-renowned sporting body in Baseball Australia was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” Papakostas said.
“The partnership also affords Baseball Australia the chance to expand its offering to baseball fans and their elite athletes.
“At Beastwear we’re passionate about both our professional sporting team relationships and our grassroots sports clubs.
“Our strategic plan is to provide superior fabric technologies (Cooltek™) to all clubs and associations at a competitive price, so they are wearing the best, like the players representing our country.”
Keep an eye on Beastwear’s Facebook page for more information regarding customised gear, special offers and more.
After a stellar tournament with bat in hand, Perth Heat star Ulrich Bojarski was honoured with a place on the All-World Team at the U23 World Cup in Colombia.
Bojarski fired from the get-go, homering in Australia's first two games as he lead the Australian offence.
The West Australian finished with a tournament leading 11 RBIs, as well as a slugging percentage of .897, 71 points higher than the next best hitter.
In his debut U23 World Cup, Bojarski finished with a .379 batting average and four home runs, while racking up five multi-hit games in the process.
Bojarski bounced around in the Detroit Tigers organisation in his 2018 seasons, splitting time between GCL Tigers East, Connecticut Tigers and the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Australia's U23 World Cup team finished ninth after consolation round victories against South Africa and The Netherlands.
Baseball Victoria is thrilled to announce the four Charter Head Coaches for the 2018/19 Charter programs.
Through collaboration and careful planning, BV and the Charters have worked together to successfully improve the Academy/All-Star program and continue to provide excellent opportunities for junior players. Tryouts will kick off in December and on-field training for the program will begin in February. The program will culminate in the State Championships.
The four head coaches for the Charter programs are:
Baycats - Kelli Zabalan
Twins - Scott Meager
Mariners - Marshall Skinner
Athletics - David Hargreaves
We are so excited to have these fantastic, talented leaders on board to support our bright and enthusiastic junior players on their baseball journey.
Kelli Zablan
Coach Zablan has enjoyed a successful career that included a U.S. college team and a stint with the Seattle Mariners. In 2005, he headed to America to begin a four-year collegiate career at Southern Utah University, suiting up for the Thunderbirds NCAA Division 1 team. In 2010 he took on the role of Southern Utah’s assistant baseball coach, and he also played independent ball with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League. In 2011 he joined the Mariners organisation. He returned to the Rascals for 2012-2013, before making his way back to Victoria to take on a coaching role at Aces Academy. He played for the Melbourne Aces from 2015-2018 as well. Zablan was named pitching coach for the 2018 VIC Blue U16 State Team, and he was also a coach at the Baseball Australia MLB u15 Invitational. Having served as the Baycats’ Charter Coach for 2017-2018, he has what it takes to lead younger players in a winning direction while having a great time.
Scott Meager
Coach Meager was once a State Team representative as a junior player, so he knows all about making these opportunities memorable for our young athletes. He’s played 300+ senior games at both Williamstown Baseball Club in the Victorian Summer Baseball League and Saints Baseball Club of the winter Geelong Baseball Association. In addition to serving as the Saints Club Coach in 2011 and 2012, he’s also been involved in many Victorian representative teams. He’s been coaching State U16 Teams for the past seven years, and he led the Vic U16 Blue team to a silver medal finish in 2016. In addition, Meager has played a valuable role in the BV Development Pathway by coaching at the Aces Academy since 2011. Other notable moments include his role as assistant coach at the U25 National Championships in Cairns in September 2015 where the team won a bronze medal, and serving as an assistant coach for the Major League Baseball Academy Australian Program in Gold Coast in August 2015.
Marshall Skinner
Coach Skinner has played an essential part in the growth of Victorian baseball through his array of playing and coaching experiences. He enjoyed a decorated career with the Preston Baseball Club, spending 34 years in a Pirates uniform beginning in 1973. This included 16 years in Division 1 from 1984-2000. He played one season with other Div 1 clubs Sunshine (2007) and Doncaster (2008) before returning to Preston for five more years. In the winter season, he played for Watsonia (A-Grade) from 1982-1994 and Greensborough (A-Grade) from 1995-2014. Skinner also took advantage of many representative opportunities, playing for the Waverly Reds ABL team in 1989/90 and the Melbourne Bushrangers ABL team in 1991/92. He also played for the Victorian Provincial Team from 2001-2010 and took on the Team Captain role for the Australian Provincial European Tours in 2003 and 2005.
His coaching experience is varied and vast as well, having led players and teams at the junior, senior and representative levels. This includes coaching everything from T-ball to U18 kids at Preston, Watsonia, Greensborough and Frankston. From 2013-2016 he was the K2 Academy Assistant Coach as well as the head coach for the 2015 K2 Japan tour. On the senior side, he coached the Watsonia 2nds from 1992 to 1994 and the Preston 2nds from 1995 to 1998. He was the assistant coach for Greensborough in 1995 before taking over the club coach role in 1996, a post he stayed in until 2001. He returned to the position in 2006 and spent six more years as club coach. He's now the Assistant Club Coach for Sandringham.
This will be far from his first experience coaching at a representative level, having been an Assistant Coach on three Australian Provincial Tours (2007, 2009, 2011). In addition to being an assistant coach for Victorian Provincial teams, he has coached Victorian U18 and U16 State Teams, Northern Diamondbacks Little League and Aces Academy.
David Hargreaves
Throughout his 40+ year career, Coach Hargreaves has played and coached baseball at all levels. He’s been heavily involved in junior coaching across club teams, region representative sides, Charter All-Star Teams, State U/14, U/16 and U/18 Teams and Melbourne Aces Winter Academy Squads. Most recently, he headed to the 2018 MLB Invitational in Lismore to coach some of the brightest young players in front of international scouts. With a Level 4 Coaching Accreditation from Baseball Australia, he currently coaches the Waverley Baseball Club Junior League team and is the Pitching Coach for the U18 Victoria Blue Team. Hargreaves says he is passionate about working with coaches and athletes throughout the charter to enhance the baseball training knowledge of our coaches and improve our athlete’s baseball tools. “I look forward to fulfilling my duties as Eastern Athletics Charter Head Coach and help guide the development of the players and coaches throughout the Charter.”
Australia has completed its U23 World Cup campaign with a 9-4 win over South Africa in Colombia on Sunday morning (Australian time).
Jordan McArdle’s two-run homer drew Australia level after South Africa put up two runs in the first, and Jack Barrie and Ulrich Bojarski went deep to ensure the win.
Starter Chris Horne steadied after giving up a pair of first inning runs, working five frames and giving up just the two runs on four hits.
Barrie started the bottom of the second with a single before McArdle went deep for the third time in eight games at the World Cup.
A lead-off home run from Barrie – his third also - in the fourth put Australia into the lead.
Bojarski and Mitch Ellis drove in runs to extend Australia’s lead.
Mitchell Edwards drove in another run in the seventh before Bojarski’s three-run homer put the icing on an impressive victory.
Australia finished the World Cup with a 4-4 record.
Robbie Glendinning and Jack Barrie homered twice as Australia recorded a dominant 16-3 win over the Netherlands at the U23 World Cup on Saturday morning.
Australia scored the opening nine runs of the game, including six in the second, to bounce back from a heavy loss to Colombia a day earlier.
Glendinning opened the scoring with a solo home run before Jordan McArdle drove home Sam Kennelly (single) and Zac Shepherd scored on a wild pitch.
Ulrich Bojarski led off the second with a homer and Barrie hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run frame.
Australia added five runs in the third after Netherlands got on the board.
Barrie added a second homer in the fifth and Glendinning in the sixth as the Aussie offence fired.
Jeremy Young impressed on the mound again, tossing a complete game.
The right-hander allowed three runs on 10 hits and struck out four.
Australia’s U23 World Cup campaign wraps up against South Africa tomorrow.
First pitch is at 2am AEDT with the game broadcast live on the WBSC YouTube channel.
Hosts Colombia have overpowered Australia 18-5 on the opening day of the U23 World Cup consolation bracket on Friday morning (Australian time)
Australia gave up eight runs in the bottom of the first and despite homering three times were unable to get back into the contest.
Jordan McArdle went deep in the third and Sam Kennelly and Zac Shepherd homered back-to-back in the fifth for the Aussies.
Ulrich Bojarski and Jess Williams also drove in runs for Australia.
Jake Green worked 2 1/3 scoreless frames on the mound but Australia was otherwise unable to stop Colombia’s offence from firing.
The hosts racked up 20 hits overall.
Australia faces Netherlands tomorrow, starting from 7am AEDT.
You can follow all the action live on the WBSC YouTube channel.