Baseball Australia is proud to announce Mark Ready as the Brisbane Bandits license holder.
Following a long and storied affiliation with the three-time ABL champions, Ready is taking his commitment to the next level, and believes the Bandits are destined for more success.
"This season we have had time to reflect on the success we have achieved and above all else we've come to understand that the City of Brisbane has given us so much love, so much support, so much financial help and so much trust that this year we are dedicating our season to the city," Ready said.
We are so much more than just a baseball team, we are the heart and soul of that undying Brisbane spirit. We owe this city so much, it's our home, our roots are deep, our blood is in the soil here."
Ready has been involved in Queensland baseball for decades, and has more recently overseen the Bandits three consecutive championships as Chief Executive Officer.
The Bandits have developed quality relationships in the Asian market - specifically Taiwan - and Ready believes the league's expansion into Asia is a key directive moving forward.
"We want to inform the Taiwanese baseball fans that in their off season there is a top quality league playing with Taiwanese super stars in the same time zone."
"It's a personal passion to bring our two countries (Australia and Taiwan) closer together in any way possible. I believe in baseball we have a unique opportunity to use it as a cultural, economic and friendship bridge."
Baseball Australia CEO Cam Vale believes Ready will continue to lead the Bandits with great honour.
"Mark represents a licence holder that has had great balance between what he has done with the Bandits, and also how he has supported the League with the push into Taiwan, particularly in the last 12 months," Vale said.
"There really wasn't anyone else we were going to consider for the Bandits once Mark declared he was interested, and this is one that will certainly please all involved in Baseball in Queensland."