Baseball Victoria’s Return to Play Registration is now open for all players and clubs wishing to compete in the 2020/21 VSBL season. All players must be registered to play before participating in any games to comply with Victorian Government and Baseball Victoria COVIDSafe guidelines, found in our Return to Play Plan HERE.
Players who registered for the free return to training may now finalise their return to play registration by clicking HERE.
Players who have not yet registered to return to training and would like to do so before committing to play this season may register HERE.
Fees for Baseball Victoria and Baseball Australia are frozen at the same rates as last summer and the senior team fees are reduced by 50% with the junior team fees completely removed – junior teams are free for 2020/21. These significant reductions will allow clubs to determine their fees with these reduced costs, to pass those onto players as part of their overall club fees. Exact club fees have been determined by clubs and may appear online as part of club’s SportsTG registration.
We have updated our frequently asked questions with information on registering to return to play. Click HERE for details.
Fixtures are now live for the 2020/21 VSBL season. Click HERE to view.
Baseball Australia announced today that Adelaide will host the Australian Women’s Championship in 2021 for the first time since the tournament’s inception.
West Beach, in the city’s western suburbs, will hold the event from 2-9 April 2021.
The announcement follows Adelaide last week being named host of two games in next year’s historic Women’s Showcase.
The tournament, which did not take place this year in Canberra due to COVID-19, will start in its traditional Good Friday timeslot.
It will wrap up with the gold medal game on Friday, 9 April.
The Women’s Championship will add to a busy schedule at West Beach.
Adelaide will be home to an Australian Baseball League hub from 14-20 January, including a Women’s Showcase doubleheader on 17 January, and host the Australian Junior League Championship from 16-20 May.
Victoria defeated Western Australia in the 2019 women’s decider with SA finishing third.
The #AWC2021 schedule will be revealed in the new year.
An announcement on the youth women’s program will be made shortly.
Click HERE to read Baseball Australia's full announcement.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to confirm that the U16 and U18 fixtures are now live for the 2020/21 VSBL season. This follows yesterday’s release of VSBL senior fixtures and redraws for the U16 and U18 competitions based on club feedback received by midday Monday.
The first games for U16 and U18 teams will be on Sunday, 6 December and the season will wrap up with finals starting the weekend of 13-14 March 2021.
Baseball Victoria’s return to play was confirmed following Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ Sunday announcements on the return of community sport in metropolitan Melbourne.
Fixtures are available HERE.
Click HERE to read our full fixture release update from Monday. Please note junior charter fixtures will follow in the coming days as final changes are made.
Baseball Victoria will continue to provide guidance and support for VSBL clubs as we navigate this COVID season.
As a reminder, all players and club officials must be registered with SportsTG to return to training and play. Click HERE to register.
Click HERE to view all fixtures.
Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.
Click HERE to view all of our COVID-19 updates.
Baseball Victoria is pleased to share that the 2020/21 VSBL fixtures are now live for senior competitions, aside from U16 and U18 which will go live tomorrow due to redraws based on changes from clubs over the weekend and up to midday today.
After months of lockdown followed by a safe return to activity/training and the welcome announcements made by Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday, the Victorian baseball community will officially return to play in metropolitan Melbourne in just under two weeks’ time, subject to any further clarifications by the Victorian Government.
Fixtures have been updated with requests for changes in emails that were received by midday today, and changes to the U16 and U18 competitions will be included in their complete redraws ahead of tomorrow’s release. Junior charter fixtures will follow in the coming days as changes continue to be made.
Women’s Divisions 1, 2 and 3 are scheduled to play their first games on Saturday, 5 December. Men’s Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as Under 16 and Under 18 competitions will get underway on Sunday, 6 December, followed by masters on Monday, 7 December.
While the Geelong Baycats Baseball Charter had its first games on Wednesday, 18 November due to easing of restrictions permitting regional juniors to commence play, juniors in the Southern Mariners, Eastern Athletics and Twins charters will commence play on the weekend of Friday, 4-6 December.
The season will culminate in finals slated for March, with semi-finals starting the weekend of 13-14 March and grand finals for Division 1 Firsts, Division 2 Firsts, Division 3 Firsts/Reserves and Women’s on 27-28 March.
Fixtures are available HERE.
“Baseball Victoria is excited to get the VSBL season started after a challenging year. We have been preparing for this alongside our VSBL clubs and stakeholders to ensure a safe return to play,“ Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “Our Victorian baseball community has been patiently waiting to get back on the field. A safe and fair competition remains our top priority, and we thank our VSBL clubs for their continued cooperation and we wish everyone the best of luck this season.”
Baseball Victoria will continue to provide guidance and support for VSBL clubs as we navigate this COVID season.
As a reminder, all players and club officials must be registered with SportsTG to return to training and play. Click HERE to register.
If clubs have any questions about fixturing or the upcoming season, please email Craig Haydock at competitions@baseballvictoria.com.au
Following announcements made by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on the further easing of restrictions, Baseball Victoria is working to confirm the details on how this will affect our upcoming summer season.
An updated Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan has been created today and can be accessed HERE. We expect detailed clarification within this plan in the coming days.
We will take these changes into account when making any final adjustments to the VSBL fixtures before releasing the schedule for the upcoming season tomorrow on Monday, 23 November 2020.
In summary, the easing of restrictions announced today allows for a full return to contact training and play, which will allow for full groups at training (up to 50 people at a time), which can include practice matches.
All players, coaches and volunteers need to register to train as Baseball Victoria and our clubs continue to gather the necessary information for contact tracing. All players attending training and next playing in matches will continue to be recorded.
“After months of dedicated efforts and numerous changes, we are pleased to be so close to the start of our summer season,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “Victorian baseballers have been very patient waiting for the time when baseball is back. We remain committed to our goal of offering an exciting competition as we navigate our new COVID normal and adhere to strict safety standards throughout the summer. Thank you to our VSBL clubs and the entire Victorian baseball community for all their hard work to make baseball safe."
As a reminder, all VSBL clubs that have returned to training with council approval must maintain confirmed registration of all attendees. Players and coaches must register to return to training HERE.
Our At-Home Baseball Training: Drills and Exercises for the COVID-19 Break and Ramp Up to Play series feature training exercises for those who wish to continue their solo training for now. Click HERE to check out these training videos.
We will continue to provide updates accordingly and wish to remind all members to register for the return to training if they haven’t already so we can have a safe and successful return to activity.
Click HERE to register with your club and view registration resources for new and returning members HERE.
Click HERE for more Victorian Government COVID-19 resources.
Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions, which are regularly updated with answers regarding the VSBL season, National Showcase Series – Victoria, COVID safe protocols and more.
We encourage our members to stay in touch with one another and prioritise their mental health. Click HERE for mental health resources.
To view the outline on the easing of restrictions provided by the Victorian Government, click HERE.
Baseball Victoria is proud to be part of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Teams Program, which saves thousands of lives nationwide through blood and plasma donations every year.
When we joined Lifeblood Teams earlier this year, we shared our goal of reaching 100 donations in 2020. Well, thanks to the generous support of the Victorian baseball community, we have surpassed our goal and now saved 102 lives so far. This is great news, but there is still more work to be done, and Lifeblood urgently needs 16,000 additional people to give blood or plasma in the next two weeks. Supplies of Australia’s two most common blood types, O+ and A+, are at risk with less than two day’s supply. All blood types are need every day, and now is a great time to get involved and make a lifechanging difference.
Plus, Lifeblood has teamed up with six Australian artists to offer a series of limited-edition bandages for donors, and the True Colours campaign will run through the end of November.
Please join us in giving back through blood donation. Click HERE to sign up today and join the Baseball Victoria Lifeblood Team. You can find pop-up clinics in your area or book your blood bank appointment at donateblood.com.au, on the Lifeblood app or on 13 14 95.
Click HERE to learn more about Lifeblood’s extra safety measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of donors.
Baseball Australia has today confirmed an ABL Women’s Showcase in partnership with Kayo.
Kayo, an Australian video streaming subscription service, has requested a dedicated Women’s Showcase of Baseball featuring at least four games over two days as part of the broadcasting contract.
Baseball Australia says this is not the official launch of a Women’s League, but rather a precursor to its potential, something BA and Kayo are excited to initiate.
Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale said the Showcase will be broadcast and played as doubleheaders at two venues. Vale said broadcast and location details for the Showcase would be announced across the next week or two.
Baseball Victoria was first made aware of this possibility this week and looks forward to receiving further information on this exhibition showcase and how it could be implemented in Victoria for our athletes with the support of Kayo, Baseball Australia and the Australian Baseball League.
Melbourne Aces and Baseball Victoria were one of four potential teams to commit to a future Women’s League. Exhibition games were flagged last October for the past 12 months but never took place due to the impact of COVID-19 and the uncertain timing of the 2020 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. This broadcast-driven showcase of women’s baseball may present an opportunity to explore options for our outstanding women athletes.
Baseball Victoria will provide more details accordingly.
Click HERE to read Baseball Australia’s full statement.
2020/21 VSBL fixtures are now live for Geelong Baycats Baseball Charter, with games commencing this Wednesday, 18 November for Junior League and Little League Major.
Fixtures are available HERE.
“Baseball Victoria welcomes Geelong back to baseball with regulations permitting regional juniors to commence play,” Craig Haydock, Baseball Victoria Club and Competitions Manager, said. “We are thrilled to start the Geelong charter season this week and we wish players all the best as they get back on the diamond.”
Baseball Victoria continues to communicate with all VSBL clubs regarding the season, and further fixture updates for seniors, juniors and masters will be provided in the coming days and weeks.
As a reminder, all players and club officials must be registered with SportsTG to return to training and play. Click HERE to register.
If clubs have any questions about fixturing, please email Craig Haydock at competitions@baseballvictoria.com.au
Four standout players in Victorian grassroots baseball will suit up for their hometown ABL team in the 2020/21 season.
The Melbourne Aces announced the signing of four young up-and-coming local players to add roster depth to the team Australian Baseball League season.
Jordan Young, a 27-year-old native of Victoria, will be entering his second season in the ABL after playing three games last season for the Auckland Tuatara. Across three games in round two against the Aces, he recorded one hit while playing third base and right field for Auckland.
Young, a utility player who plays for Sunshine Baseball Club, would be the third in his family to play for the Aces. His brother Jeremy, 25 years old, signed to pitch for Melbourne this season after spending parts of four previous seasons with the Aces. Jamie, 20 years old, played for the Aces in the 2017/18 season and is currently in the United States playing collegiate baseball. In last season’s Victorian Baseball Summer League, Jordan hit for a .345 average and drove in 11 runs over 24 games for the Eagles.
Zak Skinner served as a development player for Melbourne last season and saw time in four games, including a spot on the round 10 roster when the Aces traveled to Perth. In five at-bats, he recorded three hits (.600 average) and drove in one run. While his primary position is catcher, the 19-year-old saw time for the Aces in the outfield and can also play in the infield.
Skinner committed to playing collegiate baseball in the U.S. at Clarendon College in Texas back in March. He has previously represented Australia at the 2019 MLB College Showcase in the U.S. and at the 2019 Australian Youth Championship in Lismore. Locally, he plays for Sandringham Baseball Club, hitting .326 in 22 games last VSBL season for the Royals, driving in 11 runs with one home run.
Charlie Collins will be in his first season for the Aces, coming from Blackburn Baseball Club with experience on the Victorian State Team as well. The 17-year-old outfielder hit .253 across 21 games for the league-champion Orioles in the 2019/20 VBSL season, driving in nine runs.
In the 2020 Australian Youth Championship, Collins was named the U18 hitting champion, hitting .517 (15-for-29) with five doubles and nine runs batted in for the Victoria Blue team that went 5-3.
Reece Longstaff joins Melbourne for his first ABL season, with previous experience for Waverley Baseball Club and the Victorian State team. Now 18 years old, the utility player hit .287 in 23 games last VBSL season for the Wildcats, connecting for two home runs with 13 runs batted in.
He played for U18 Victoria Blue in the 2019 Australian Youth Championship and for Australia at the 2019 U18 Baseball Series in Lismore. In 2016, he represented New Zealand in the WBSC U-15 World Cup, where he recorded five hits in seven games, while also making two appearances on the mound as a pitcher.
With these four additions, the Aces roster stands at 26 players, including 17 Australians and 13 position players.
Click HERE to view the home of the Melbourne Aces for schedules, memberships and much more.