It's almost time for the best baseball in the Southern Hemisphere to light up the Melbourne sky. The Australian Baseball League is proud to announce the rosters and event information for the 2016 ABL All-Star Game presented by Boral.
For Team Australia, this All-Star Game looms as one of the most important in recent memory, as the national team finalise preparations for the biggest international baseball tournament on the calendar, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March. Team Australia's draw at the WBC has been finalised, with the world-famous Tokyo Dome the venue for round one of the tournament.
"We're treating the game as a very important part of our selection process for the WBC," Team Australia manager Jon Deeble said.
"We're planning to trim the list down from 50 to 35 as soon as possible. We still need to test some combinations out, and with the selection panel in place, we've got everything in place to select the best 28 guys to give us every chance to perform in Japan next year."
Australia's roster for the All-Star game is a mix of youth and experience, with two former MLB stars, and two Team Australia debutants.
Deeble is placing a lot of emphasis on this All-Star Game as an ideal tune-up before the WBC.
"This is a great opportunity to see guys that we're looking at for the World Baseball Classic team," Deeble said.
"The young guys on this team really have the chance to impress in national colours, and even though it's a small sample size, I'm excited to see how they perform. Guys like Josh Guyer and Kyle Perkins have been fantastic in the ABL this season, and we're excited to see them in the green and gold."
Josh Guyer and Kyle Perkins will represent Team Australia for the first time, with Guyer recently returning from the U23 World Cup, where as well as claiming a silver medal, the right handed CompassMarkets.com Sydney Blue Sox reliever also claimed a spot on the World All-Star team after some fantastic performances from the bullpen. Guyer has claimed a win and a save in the 2016/17 season with his ERA sitting at an impressive 2.25.
Perkins has let his numbers do the talking this year, and based on his form, was a must-pick for Deeble's team. The Canberra native's average this year is currently sitting at .354, which is good for 5th in the league. After a tough 2015/16 campaign, Perkins has been rewarded for his red-hot start to the 2016 season, and will keen to impress before the World Baseball Classic squad is named in early 2017.
Joining the ABL's own Andrew Reynolds in the commentary box for the All-Star Game will be former MLB representative and Baseball Australia Hall of Famer Micheal Nakamura. Nakamura had a distinguished international career, representing Team Australia at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games as well as spending time in the MLB for the Minnesota Twins in 2003.
For those wishing to tune in to one of the ABL's flagship events, you can tune in live on ESPN in Australia or via ABLtv.com, which will also carry the game live. Those wanting to tune in overseas, will also have the chance to see the best of the ABL play, with the game being telecast internationally thorough ESPN3, MLB Network and Fox Sports Asia.
In addition, the ASG All-Star Game will be LIVE streamed via ABLtv.com, ESPNGO and MLB.com with a combined potential audience of over 300 Million people.
Tickets are still available for the All-Star game, and with an awesome pre-game show from REMI and The Pretty Littles, as well as some of the best gourmet food trucks Melbourne has to offer, it's sure to be a great night of entertainment.
Author: Zack McGuinness
Preston 4 vs Blackburn 5
Blackburn were walk-off winners against Preston, scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth to claim the win. Jacob Evans recorded the game winning hit, his third hit of the day.
Nathan Harris had an outstanding start, allowing just two hits and one run through six innings of work while striking out six batters.
Blake Hodgson ran into trouble in his inning of work, allowing three runs.
Scott Mitchinson was great back from the Perth Heat, throwing the final two innings without giving up a run. While Luke Cartwright led the offense with a three run shot, his first senior home run.
An uncharacteristically sloppy display by the Bombers handed Cheltenham a much needed win as the league leaders were set back on their heels by the young Cheltenham squad.
Four of the six Rustler runs scored by runners who walked to get on base, and one through a runner that reached on an error.
The Bombers outhit the Rustlers 13 to 5 but achieved only four runs on the day. Standout performances by Josh Davies (four hits) and Russell Spear (4 innings in relief) were not enough to get Essendon over the line.
It was a day that frustrated the travelling Lions in a replay of the 2015/16 Division 2 Grand Final.
With both teams pressing their claims for a Division 1 finals berth, wins were equally important for both Clubs but it was the Panthers that seemed to want it more.
The Panthers took advantage of a sun-effected left-field plating early runs, including four in the third inning. The score blew out to 7-0 before the Lions were able to string some hits together, putting on four in the eighth as they looked to make a game of it.
Leigh Mckay started for the Lions and would conceded just the three earned runs and six hits for his 6.0 innings of work. With the bats Brock Pawley had another three base hits (two doubles), with Tom Dicker and Alex Turlea both finishing with two each.
No Game Report Provided.
Royals starter Reed Mason went head to head with Demons starter Andy Mann in a game that remained very tight for seven innings.
The deadlock came to an end when the relievers entered the contest, Sandringham scored one in the top of the eight to tie up the game one a piece. They then gained a 3-1 lead in the ninth, scoring off Liam Davine.
Royals starter Reed Mason was strong for seven innings, Jackson Boyd was brilliant in relief, shutting the Demons bats with just one hit in the ninth to see Sandringham claim a 3-1 win.
No Game Summary Provided.
Offensively, Newport finished Sunday’s contest with 13 hits to Moorabbin’s 7. The seventh inning proved to be a pivotal inning as Newport recorded four runs to stretch their lead.
Offensively, Newport finished Sunday’s contest with 13 hits to Moorabbin’s 7. The seventh inning proved to be a pivotal inning as Newport recorded four runs to stretch their lead.
In the late game at Altona, Tuesday night, the Royals went down to the Baycats 0 - 6. Veteran B
By Robert Novotny
Sunday December 11. Melbourne Ballpark. 2016 ABL Women’s All-Star Game. Bottom of the final inning. Bases loaded. Two outs. Score tied. The 26 & Older Emeralds threatening to overtake the 25 & Younger Emeralds, after trailing by six runs earlier in the game and one run at the start of the inning.
Jacinda Barclay, the most experienced of the younger Emeralds is on the mound. Shae Lillywhite the most experienced of the older Emeralds is at the plate. Barclay falls behind the patient Lillywhite 2-0, then home plate umpire Fiona Lambrick calls strike one on a slider. Barclay then misses for ball three.
3-1 count. With no room for a walk, next pitch has to be in the zone. Barclay opts for a controlled slider, trying to fool Lillywhite and get her to roll over the ball. But she doesn’t, and Lillywhite sends a hard line drive whistling past Barclay’s right ear, the pitcher’s glove hand a split second too late to snag the final out. Walk-off win. Oldies but goodies carry the day.
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The third ABL Women’s All-Star game in Melbourne Sunday represented another step forward for women in baseball in Australia. While a walk-off finish and a 7-6 score line denote an exciting game, the weekend will perhaps be best remembered for other developments. In 2016 the event expanded to cover two days, secured a major sponsor, featured more Boral Australian Emerald national squad players than ever before (19), made a concerted effort to highlight the next generation, and helped empower the first female to ever umpire in Australian professional baseball.
The game itself also had a new format with the greater influx of national players. While the previous two editions featured the Emeralds versus Victorian state players, in 2016 the teams were divided into players under and over age 26. The matchup of youth versus experience was definitely on the players’ minds.
16-year-old Jordan Richardson of New South Wales made her debut on the mound for Australia against Taipei at the World Cup in Korea earlier this year, but played right field in Melbourne Sunday. “[The older Emeralds] are the people who I look up to, it means a lot to be able to test myself against them,” said Richardson. With two hits, including two RBI’s in the younger Emeralds 5-run third inning, she seems to have passed the test.
Shae Lillywhite is the last remaining member of the inaugural women’s national team from 2001. Lillywhite was sixteen when she helped Australia win bronze while playing in Toronto’s Skydome. Sunday’s hero shared similar thoughts to Richardson, albeit from a very different career stage, “You never stop wanting to prove yourself. We still want it as much as we did at their age. There are some great kids in this program, and we want to teach them how to go about their business, what it means to represent Australia.” Certainly Lillywhite’s walk-off performance lived up to those sentiments.
Off her break-out international debut on the mound beating the USA at the recent World Cup, 18-year-old Abbey Kelly started for the younger Emeralds. Amy Collins started on the mound for the older Emeralds. Both pitchers were ultimately chased from the game in the 4th inning by strong hitting attacks. The younger Emeralds struck first with five runs in the top of the third, tacking a sixth run in the next frame. The older Emeralds grabbed five runs in the bottom of the fourth, before walking off with two more in the fifth and final frame. The game was played with a two-hour time limit since it was a curtain-raiser for the Aces v Cavalry ABL game to follow.
On hand in his role as Melbourne Aces manager, Southern Thunder men’s national head coach Jon Deeble noted that the women’s players presented really well on an ABL stage. “It’s really great for the Emeralds to have this opportunity. Weekends like this are key in creating good culture for a program.”
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While many volunteers and organisers contributed to making the weekend possible, Emeralds head coach Simone Wearne led the way in seeing the weekend in a bigger context and finding support to fund that vision. While she underscores how important it is for the existing Emeralds squad to have the rare chance to come together in one place, the notable step forward on the weekend was the incorporation of a junior girls’ clinic.
On Saturday morning at the Springvale club, approximately 40 local junior girls were present receiving instruction from the national team, while then sticking around for a free sausage sizzle and to watch the Emeralds train. “These young girls benefit a lot learning directly from the [national team] players, including the chance to see how they go about their training,” says Wearne, noting that the personal interaction also helps makes young dreams of playing for the Emeralds more real and more achievable.
As good as it all feels, the weekend was not meant to be a feel good event. Former Kansas City Royals player, national team star, and current Melbourne Aces general manager Justin Huber put it in perspective, “The mission of the ABL is to develop talent for our national program. So while the Emeralds players certainly deserve the opportunity and recognition in this professional setting, the result we are after is a stronger women’s program and everyone with the Aces is thrilled to support initiatives like this.”
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Of note and being covered separately, Fiona Lambrick umpired third base in the ABL feature game, becoming the first woman umpire in the history of professional baseball in Australia. Lambrick plated the women’s game and was joined by ABL umpires Takahito Matsuda and Michael Lyons. The game was supported and funded by Aussie Hearts, an international female baseball development program. A majority of Emeralds players and coaches attending in Melbourne this weekend had previously participated in the Hearts program.
For the Record, listed below are the starting line ups for the 2016 ABL Women’s All-Star Game, featuring the Boral Australian Emeralds:
25 & Younger Emeralds
1. Browyn Gell SS
2. Olivia Bannon 2B
3. Kaila Borgomastro 3B
4. Claire O’Sullivan 1B
5. Tammy McMillan CF
6. Abbey McLellan C
7. Abbey Kelly P
8. Jordan Richardson RF
9. Jacinda Barclay LF
Bench: Belinda Cannington
Asst. Coach: Siobhan Taylor
Head Coach: Lisa Norrie
26 & Older Emeralds
1. Shae Lillywhite 2B
2. Laura Neads SS
3. Tahnee Lovering C
4. Chelsea Forkin 3B
5. Kim McMillan 1B
6. Amanda Torrington LF
7. Leslie Anglin CF
8. Erin Fox RF
9. Amy Collins P
Bench: Sinead Flanigan
Asst. Coach: Reiko Abe
Asst. Coach: Risa Tanaka
Head Coach: Simone Wearne
The host Pumas trailed 4-3 midway through the game before responding with one in the fifth, two in the sixth and four in the seventh to put the game away.
Relief pitcher Stuart Brunton turned the tide, entering in the fourth and ceding nary a run.
Original report supplied by Dale Hooper of the Pakenham Baseball Club
In a back-and-forth affair between the two top teams in Division 3, the Saints jumped out early, scoring three times in the first only to see the home side tally four of their own.
St Kilda tied it in the third but the Rebels five run fourth inning proved decisive.
Jarrod MacEachern pitched very well again and the Saints hung tough without their normal three and four hitters, Todd Clarkson and Robby Lewis.
After struggling in the first, Matthew Young rebounded to go seven. Joel Stubbs pitched the final two frames. Caleb Poole knocked in four and Michael Hunt slugged two doubles en route to four hits in as many at-bats.
Original report supplied by Nick Thompson of the Mulgrave Baseball Club
Werribee 11 vs Ballarat 10
On a hot summer day in Ballarat a barnburner broke out.
Werribee took the lead first, tallying thrice in the second. After the Giants plated another one in the top of the fourth, the Brewers struck back for four of their own. Another single tally by the Giants in the fifth was immediately answered by three more for the home side.
After both sides traded single markers the big blow came in the top of the eighth when the Giants scored four. Ballarat tied it with two in their home half but a single run in the top of the ninth proved crucial for Werribee.
Ceding only two unearned runs, Josh Lee started before being relieved by Connor Wilson. John Curnow then threw the sixth, seventh and eighth before Trent Evins closed out the impressive victory with a spotless ninth.
At the plate, winning pitcher Curnow also starred, going 3-4 with two doubles and two knocked in.
Original report supplied by Jessica Curnow of the Werribee Baseball Club
Author: Zack McGuinness
Melbourne 9 vs Essendon 8
The bats were busy at Essendon on Sunday, as the two sides combined for a total of 26 hits that included seven extra base hits.
Melbourne started proceedings with a bang, scoring six in the first dig against a frustrated Essendon side. A walk and five consecutive singles were capped by a Matthew Blackmore grand slam.
Russell Spear had an impressive outing in middle relief against Melbourne’s lineup. Melbourne managed just three hits off of Spear, who allowed one earned run, two walks and he struck out three in five innings of work.
In a day for the veterans, the game also saw former-Aces champion, Josh Davies go four from five with hit two home runs (five RBI’s).
Evan Brisentine threw 5.1 innings for the Demons, allowing eight hits, five walks, six strikeouts and five runs.
Waverley came out swinging the bats at Merri Park, putting on four runs in the top half of the first three innings.
Fitzroy were finally able to get on top of Matt Beattie in the third and strung some hits together to pick up a four sport and hit the front the following innings to take a 5-4 lead.
Waverley hit back in the seventh with two runs to re-take the lead, but Fitzroy wouldn’t lay down, levelling the game at 6-6 entering the ninth. At 6-6 and with loaded bases and two out in the top of the ninth, a single to right field had Fitzroy’s Gavin Juchnevicus charging to try and make a play at first and kill the inning. Unfortunately the ball took a bad hop and Waverley were able to clear the bases and take a decisive 9-6 lead where the game would finish.
For the Lions, Toby Hope and Brock Pawley were added, replacing Alex Turlea and Aaron Sayers, both recording three hits each and making selections difficult for the coming week. Shortstop Danny King also swung a hot stick in the nine hole, picking up a pair of base knocks.
Reed Mason started on the mound for Sandringham, striking out five while allowing ten hits, three walks in seven strong innings of work.
The Royals bats got out to an early lead against the Orioles non-national starter Nathan Harris.
Blackburn’s bats levelled the score by the end of the fifth and then in the seventh took a one run lead.
Young Royals pitchers Kynan Wilcox and Jai Lyttleton together conceded three runs in the eighth and ninth innings, as did Orioles closers Andy Jones and Jacob Evans to allow Blackburn to claim a 9-8 win.
No Game Report Provided.
No Game Report Provided.
No Game Summary Provided.
Offensively, Newport finished Sunday’s contest with 13 hits to Moorabbin’s 7. The seventh inning proved to be a pivotal inning as Newport recorded four runs to stretch their lead.
Offensively, Newport finished Sunday’s contest with 13 hits to Moorabbin’s 7. The seventh inning proved to be a pivotal inning as Newport recorded four runs to stretch their lead.
In the late game at Altona, Tuesday night, the Royals went down to the Baycats 0 - 6. Veteran B
Baseball Australia are excited to announce the rosters and schedule for the 2017 U16 and U18 National Youth Championships to take place at Blacktown International Sportspark between 6-15 January.
South Australia will defend their U16 title after taking out the 2016 tournament for the first time since 1988, while in the U18 division, NSW Country will try to go back-to-back after defeating Victoria Blue 4-1 in the 2016 U18 final.
Highlighting the talent on show at the U16/18 tournaments will be seven young men who have all taken the field in the current Australian Baseball League season.
One of those seven is Jarryd Dale, a 16-year-old Victorian prospect, and son of Australian baseball star Phil Dale. Jarryd has been a regular in the Melbourne Aces lineup this season, and this past weekend Jarryd replicated his efforts from the 2016 U16 Nationals, nailing a grand slam for the Melbourne Aces against the defending ABL-Champion Brisbane Bandits.
Dale will suit up for Victoria Blue in the U18 National Championship alongside Matt Beattie, who has also seen time in an Aces uniform this season. The youngest ever pitcher in the new-ABL, Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis will represent the ACT, as will Mitch Edwards, who has also seen time in Cavalry colours.
Two young South Australians that have played a bit of baseball together are Ky Hampton and Jack O’Loughlin. Hampton and O’Loughlin were on the South Australian side that won the U16 National Championship in 2016, both represent SA in the U18 tournament this year and the pair also suited up as team-mates for the Adelaide Bite in the current ABL season.
A young catcher that will play for Western Australia is Alex Hall, the 17 year old has featured in 7 games so far for the Perth Heat, and drove in his first run in the ABL over the weekend in Sydney.
After making international headlines in 2016, a total of 11 of the Southern Mariners team that made the Senior League World Series Championship game will represent Victoria White/Blue at the U18 National Championship. Keep an eye out for Jordy Barnett who has committed to play baseball at the University of Maine.
To view rosters, schedules and to keep up to date with the 2017 U16 National Youth Championship, click here.
To view rosters, schedules and to keep up to date with the 2017 U18 National Youth Championship, click here.
Baseball will always have its share of odd games and this one ranks near the very top.
Neither starter ceded a run through the first six innings until St Kilda exploded for a dozen in the top half of the seventh, keyed by Bryan Livett’s two RBI infield single, Eduardo Escalona’s clutch double and club coach Todd Clarkson’s massive three run dinger over the left field fence on a full count.
Jarrod MacEachern got the win, just allowing the one run in the bottom of the seventh to continue his stellar season.
No Game summary Provided.
Author: Zack McGuinness
Melbourne 3 vs Geelong 5
Melbourne’s early lead wasn’t enough to secure a win on Saturday, with Geelong claiming a 5-3 victory.
Mitch Ayres opened up the scoring for Melbourne in the second inning with a solo home run, though the Baycats responded immediately with a run of their own.
Hits to Rhys DeHighden, Scott Moore and Adam Burton added two runs on the board for Melbourne.
The Baycats scored two runs off a single and throwing errors in the fourth to gain the lead for the remainder of the game.
Cameron Forbes was awarded the win and Evan Brisentine received the loss. Forbes struck out five and walked two while allowing three runs and six hits in five innings of work.
Following a month on the road, Fitzroy returned home to defeat an inform Blackburn 8-1.
After plating one in the first and tacking on another in the third, Fitzroy broke the game open in the fourth with a five run inning.
Aaron Sayers opened the scoring in the fourth with a two-run double, Zach Rhodes drove in one on a single and Tom Dicker hit his third two-run shot of the season.
Blackburn reliever Scott Mitchinson worked his way out of a bases loaded, none out jam to bring the fifth inning to a close.
Leigh McKay threw a near flawless six innings, conceding the one run in the fifth, while Reese Gregory was untouchable in relief throwing a perfect final three frames.
Moorabbin’s new arrival Trevor Caughey was impressive in his start on the mound, completely shutting down the Essendon hitters for a 5-0 win
Four scattered hits weren’t enough for Essendon to get anything going offensively, with only two of those hits coming in Caughey’s eight innings of work.
While Moorabbin’s offence was also impressive, with good team hitting and excellent speed on the bases contributing to the well-deserved win.
No Game Summary Provided.
No Game Summary Provided.
Offensively, Newport finished Sunday’s contest with 13 hits to Moorabbin’s 7. The seventh inning proved to be a pivotal inning as Newport recorded four runs to stretch their lead.
Offensively, Newport finished Sunday’s contest with 13 hits to Moorabbin’s 7. The seventh inning proved to be a pivotal inning as Newport recorded four runs to stretch their lead.
In the late game at Altona, Tuesday night, the Royals went down to the Baycats 0 - 6. Veteran B