Three new Australian Baseball League (ABL) signings and a Major League Baseball (MLB) contract, a result of the age change from U23 to the first ever Under 25 National Championships.
The Championships, held in Cairns from 29 September to 4 October, are an evolution of Australia’s playing pathway to open up and extend opportunities. The change in age group provides further opportunity for players to represent their State, but more significantly it opens the event to players returning from College and professional tenures in the US, and allows players a gateway into the ABL.
The players from the U25 Championships that will play in the ABL have not been officially announced. Stay tuned to find out names when the the final rosters of the 2014/2015 ABL teams are released.
A Major League contract with MLB franchise Cincinnati Reds was the unexpected outcome of the Championships for twenty-two year old LHP Travis McDonald from North Rocks in New South Wales. Although not much information is known yet of Travis’ signing, he was also named in the Australian team for the U21 Baseball World Cup in November, capping off an obviously stellar month for the lefty.
New South Wales Back-to-Back
For the second year in a row the New South Wales Blue Sox are the defending champions, beating the Western Australia Heat 5-0. Queensland also defeated South Australia to take home the bronze medal 5-4.
To see a list of tournament awards and the players named to the All-Star team click here.
Cairncross and Roneberg on hand to close the Championships
Two Australian baseball legends, Brett Roneberg and Cameron Cairncross, were in Cairns and kind enough to present both the tournament awards and the All-Star team to close the Championships.
Collectively they hold Olympic Silverware, a Big League stint with the Cleveland Indians and over a decade representing Australia – a real honour for the players of this Championship.
Brett Roneberg represented Australia for nine years, during which he played at two Olympic games, three Baseball World Cups and two World Baseball Classics. His father Geoff Roneberg, who has been an influential individual in the sport of baseball in North Queensland, was also honored with the re-opening and dedication of the Geoff Roneberg field at the host venue for the event.
Cameron Cairncross, a Cairns native, also represented Australia at Baseball World Cup, as well as had a impressive career in Major League Baseball, check it out in 31 AND COUNTING .