Baseball Victoria, Author at Baseball Victoria

Baseball/Softball has been named as one of five sports recommended to the International Olympic Council, by the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, for inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Often touted as Japan’s national pastime, Baseball/Softball have been seen as front-runners for recommendation by the Organising Committee, but the announcement today has provided the next level of clarity for the sport globally.

“Reinstatement back into the Olympic Games is an extensive process for the sport, so it is encouraging this evening to receive the news that Baseball/Softball has made it to the next step, and it is credit to the sports global movement”, said Baseball Australia President, David Hynes.

The Olympic Games are regarded as the worlds foremost sports competition, inciting a sense of community and national pride for Australia and it’s Olympic Sports.

“Baseball as an Olympic sport does so much for our game far beyond the diamond; we consider it the biggest draw card to boost national participation and place baseball in every Australian household”, said Mr Hynes.

Karate, Skateboarding, Sports Climbing and Surfing we’re also named, beating Ten-Pin Bowling, Squash and Wushu for recommendation.

Baseball/Softball tick much of the key criteria for the Tokyo 2020 decision: high youth appeal, engage the Japanese population and global audiences, and with existing stadium infrastructure cost of construction and operations will be minimal which aligns with the Agenda 2020 vision.

Baseball was included in the Olympic program from 1992, but was dropped, along with Softball, after the Beijing 2008 Games. Team Australia’s best Olympic result is Silver at the Athens 2004 behind Cuba.

Team Australia’s current high performance pinnacle events are the IBAF Premier 12 and Major League Baseball’s World Baseball Classic, both held every four years. Baseball Australia is working closely with the Australian Institute of Sport to realign operations towards Olympic capabilities with a look towards 2020.

The final decision on the sports to be included, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

Read Tokyo 2020's full announcement here

The Olympic Games are regarded as the worlds foremost sports competition, inciting a sense of community and national pride for Australia and it’s Olympic Sports.

Karate, Skateboarding, Sports Climbing and Surfing we’re also named, beating Ten-Pin Bowling, Squash and Wushu for recommendation.

The final decision on the sports to be included, in line with the Olympic Charter, will be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

Read Tokyo 2020's full announcement here

Baseball Victoria is pleased to announce the trials for the Victorian Teams that will compete at the 2016 National Youth Baseball Championships.

The dates and location of the 2016 National Youth Championships have recently been released by Baseball Australia. Below are the details:

Victoria will be sending U16 Blue and U16 White as well as U18 Blue and U18 White teams (Four teams in total.)

Trial Dates

Cuts may be made after each trial

Trial Venue and times

Under 18: Will be held in the morning (am)

Under 16: Will be held in the afternoon (pm)

Players will be advised of the trial venue and their group and time by Tuesday the 6th of October 2015. Please note these times may vary after week 1.

Players are required to complete the online application form by Friday the 2nd October 2015. Please follow the link below to fill out the form.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/U16U18

Player Eligibility

All players MUST meet the following requirements:

Uniform and Equipment

All players are requested not to wear a club or association uniform cap or top. Please wear suitable baseball clothing and a training top or tee-shirt

Players need to bring all personal baseball equipment for their positions including, gloves, helmet, bat, full catcher’s equipment, etc.

Drinks and sunscreen is not supplied during the trials.

Cost

The costs associated for players selected in any Victorian U16 or U18 Team will be confirmed once further details are received from the ABF, however we expect the cost per player to be approximately $2,900 (including uniform.)

The ABF have employed a Registration and Participation package for all National Championships, which usually include accommodation, meal and ground transport arrangements for all teams, plus other tournament costs. Included within this, the ABF has installed a 'Fare Equalisation Policy' which attempts to ensure each player, regardless of their geographical location, pay an identical amount for their travel costs to attend a National Championship.

Any costs that the ABF request Victorian teams to pay to participate in a National Championship shall be portioned between the players without additional margins other than costs incurred directly by Baseball Victoria outside of the ABF package. Baseball Victoria costs typically include additional food and beverage requirements, fuel for ground transport, coach payments and costs, trials and training costs, uniform hire and launder and equipment supplies such as baseballs and helmets.

If you need any further information please contact Baseball Victoria on 9645 8000.

The findings of the high performance review will be announced by the end of September (following our Board's next meeting.)

Following the success of the 2014 Major League Baseball Opening Series at the SCG, Sydney will once again host a major international baseball event. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres announced today a 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier will be held in Western Sydney.

Developed and operated in partnership by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, and sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation as the sport’s official ‘World Championship’, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is the world’s premier international baseball tournament featuring some of the best players on the planet representing their respective nations for the title of World Champion. Superstars such as Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz have competed in previous WBC events.

The national teams from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Africa will compete in the six-game, four-day Qualifier at Blacktown International Sportspark from 11-14 February 2016, with the winner qualifying for the 2017 World Baseball Classic to be held in March 2017.

The event will mark the first time a World Baseball Classic event has been held in Australia and only the second time Team Australia has played on home soil since defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks and losing a close game to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exhibition games at the 2014 Opening Series.

Team Australia is currently ranked 14 out of the 124 baseball playing nations recognised by the International Baseball Federation.

“Baseball Australia, in conjunction with our partners Baseball NSW and the Australian Baseball League are extremely honoured and excited to be staging this prestigious event,” said Baseball Australia CEO, Brett Pickett. “We are grateful to World Baseball Classic Inc. for providing us the opportunity and to Destinations NSW for their support, and we look forward to putting on a world class event for all participants and fans.”

Over three World Baseball Classic tournaments, 22 Team Australia representatives have played at the major league level in the US and 37 Australians are currently under contract with an MLB club.

Initial opening-round matchups (including home and visitor designations) as well as ticket information will be announced at a later date by individual host venues. The pools for each qualifier are:

• Qualifier 1 (Feb. 11-14 in Sydney): Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and South Africa

• Qualifier 2 (March 17-20 in Mexicali): Mexico, Czech Republic, Germany and Nicaragua

• Qualifier 3 (March 17-20 in Panama City): Colombia, France, Panama and Spain

• Qualifier 4 (Sept. 22-25 in Brooklyn): Brazil, Great Britain, Israel and Pakistan

Follow Baseball Australia on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with WBCQ information.