Could the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks kicking off the 2014 Major League Baseball season at the SCG be the perfect opportunity to expand the game Down Under?
Baseball is still seen as a fringe sport in Australia, but the return of a national competition in the form of the Australian Baseball League could see the game rise to new levels.
After a decade without a national competition, the refreshed ABL was launched in 2010 and is set to start its fourth season this year.
There has already been serious interest in the ABL from the MLB (who provide part funding for the league), with both Travis Blackley and Cody Clark signing with MLB teams after impressive stints in the local competition.
While the attendance of each game is nowhere near other top levels sports in Australia, the league is still young and lacks exposure to the general public.
The MLB season-opener is attracting significant national media attention, which will surely have a positive impact on the game at all levels.
While tickets aren’t cheap – starting at $69 for outside grandstand seats – they’re hot property. The two-game series will attract near-capacity crowds to the SCG and generate significant buzz around Sydney.
The event will also be well marketed nationally thanks to a deal with the Nine Network to screen both games live on GEM, while ESPN will broadcast the games to international viewers.
Nine has chosen a familiar face in Ian Chappell to head up their commentary team, so even casual watchers of Australian cricket should recognise the voice calling the game.
Even though the games will be competing head to head with the AFL and NRL, I think there will be a lot of interested viewers given the event is a one-off and on Australian shores.
So what effect will this have on the game after the MLB packs up and heads back state-side?
The goal for the Australian Baseball Federation should be to use this event as a springboard to promote the game in Australia at all levels.
Short term, this should involve getting people interested in playing the sport at a grass roots level, which means getting information out there about how to join, what clubs are around and when the season starts.
Promotion of the ABL to inform people of basics like team locations, venues, ticket prices and website information should be a priority to lift attendance figures around the country.
Junior development, facility improvement and school visits from ABL clubs should be a long term goal, but implementation of structured plans should start now.
Japan, our baseball loving Asia-Pacific neighbour, also has the potential to continue the great exposure the American visit will generate by scheduling regular exhibition games with their premier clubs.
With talks progressing with the MLB about making this a once every four years event, using the time in between games to implement a development framework is paramount.
If the MLB returns in 2018 and the game is still in the same position as it is now, the ABF will look back on these games as a wasted opportunity.
Australia has a history of sporting achievement and with proper development of the game we could be seeing more Australians join the likes of Grant Balfour, Peter Moylan and Travis Blackwood in the major leagues.
It won’t be a radical transformation that happens overnight, but this could be the first step in changing both the general perception of baseball in Australia and raising the profile of the game at both a local and national level.
Mike George in Hong Kong
Guest
Thanks for the correction. What was I thinking? Must have been the polluted Honkers air. Am in total agreement with you--particularly the 30 international players limit.
Michael
Guest
Mike you forget that our season is basically in the off season of MLB, with a number of guys coming back from overseas to play in the off season. I can see guys coming over from Triple A to do a stint in the ABL. Although i do understand that other winter comps are on at the time. I would also like to see some of those high draft picks come and play a season as well, I think that would be amazing. I think maybe a 5 player maximum for each team would add the talent to the league that would make it an amazing spectacle
Mike George in Hong Kong
Guest
Good ideas, Michael. But, MLB teams would not provide AAA players, as short-notice call-ups are a necessity due to injuries or non-performance by players on the parent team. Less so but still true for those on AA teams. However, some of the most exciting and talented players are the high draft pick players that do their first year in Single A ball and play in the 30 game season Arizona Development League in the off-season. .I can really envision AFL talent playing in the ABL instead. Korea and Japan have done a wonderful job of making baseball their own game in their respective countries. They do not try to imitate the American experience of seeing a game. Rather, culturally, they have made it their own. Would like to see Australia do the same. The Minor Leagues have done an extraordinary job of making ballgames an entertainment experience with wacky promotions, giveaways, bloopers on video screens between innings. Real Bill Veeck stuff. No one could do this better than Australia. (I can smell the pregame barbies from here.) Otherwise, I would not like to see international players dominate the ABL. For the ABL to really catch fire it will need to find the middle ground between improving the quality of the play with international talent and developing its home grown base. A balancing act. But, one to be undertaken.
Michael
Guest
What needs to be done is to make the ABL games an event in itself. Having been around Baseball for 20 plus years it frustrates me that the lack of atmosphere at a game. This can be done by looking at what minor league teams do over a regular season. Being that it is an American game, make it an American experience, put on big BBQ pre game or during, almost make it a party atmosphere . The second part is getting quality players to play the game. I understand that this classed as a ground roots game but having major league teams affiliated with ABL sides would only progress both leagues. Yes it is currently part owned by MLB but making the sides buy into this is very beneficial. Not only are they likely to send either Triple A players but in most case fringe major League players would be willing to come down and play in the competition for 4 months. Basically it becomes a Holiday for them and the best part, the ABL probably wouldnt have to fund the players wage. Iv seen this competition when it was booming in the 90's then the wrong people got involved for the wrong reasons. There is no reason this sport can not compete with 20/20 cricket, it has the same excitement
chris
Guest
You Aussie's need to calm down as you got too many sport codes already and don't need another... Maybe Cricket and Baseball can merge.
70's Mo
Guest
Great article Mark. It makes me wonder why Channel 10 didn't pick it up and put it on their main channel. Kudos to 9 (it's been a while since I've said that) for making use of Ian Chappell, I know he was a good player and well versed in the game (methinks Alan Border was another). Actually I must say that I almost choked on my weet-bix when I saw a baseball diamond on my beloved SCG but now I am looking forward to see how the ol' gal scrubs up for an American audience. In fact I might have some Cheerios and hot cakes for breakfast for the next few days!
Johan
Guest
An couple of NBA games would give basketball in this country a much needed boost. The NBL is currently on its knees but in the 1990s was one of the hottest tickets in town!!! It is now a sad shadow of its former self.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Hi Mike, I think a mixture of both would be ideal where the quality of the ABL is improved while also still providing talent to the MLB. I read that 28 of the 30 MLB clubs have full time scouts in Australia so they certainly have the interest in Australian players. I like your point about sending minor league players to the ABL to improve the show but they would have to be long term prospects with only a small chance of being called up. The American farm system is crazy so finding a way to get decent players come over will be tough. With more funding/interest in the sport it might become financially feasible to form an Asia-Pacific but it is really chicken/egg stuff. You need money to make improvements and draw the crowds but the money isn't there when the crowds are so low.
Mike George in Hong Kosng
Guest
Am thrilled that MLB has gone Down Under. Hope it kindles sustainable interest in the sport. What is best for Australia? Is the objective to raise the level of play where more Aussie players can play in the Major Leagues? Or, perhaps, to create greater fan interest via a better quality of product, meaning that international players would be integrated into the mix? The USA has an interesting 30 game off season league of six teams called the Arizona Fall League. Each MLB team provides six of its most promising minor league players. Gives teams a better opportunity to evaluate their talent and that of the competition. Would Australia benefit from an arrangement where each MLB team placed one promising prospect into the ABL? This would mean five outside players per team. It might put the spotlight on Australia as a source of talent and improve the fan experience. Alternately, Is there any talk about forming an Australian-Asian league? Would love to see Aussies regularly compete against Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese teams. Please let me know whether such is under consideration.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
It is very unrealistic to expect the ABF to keep up with the show that will be put on over the weekend. The real opportunity is raising awareness with the general public and getting the ABL promoted. I bet a lot of people dont even know Australia has a professional league or where they play so step one should just be to capatilise on the media circus that the MLB will draw.
Jared
Roar Pro
Great article mate.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Hi Mark, What actions could the Oz Baseball federations take to capitalise? It seems to me that this is being promoted as an 'event' more than anything else. Assuming the teams put on a great show and the extortionate prices don't stop attendances, I fear that the local version will look a bit drab. Local blokes playing at local parks won't really bring in the crowds or inspire the kiddies to play. Can the federation/s afford to continue the razzle-dazzle?
Fivehole
Guest
NFL game in 99 was pre-season. Pre season NFL games stink. Regular season i'd be there in a shot, even if it was a game like buffalo v cleveland. As for these mlb games, i'd love to go, but too steep for teams i don't like. If my team (Atlanta) was playing, i'd be there though
Alex
Guest
Quality article, as an avid fan of the longer forms of cricket I will be watching just to try and learn and perhaps develop an interest in another sport. I have thought for years that similar to the NBA and NFL playing regular season matches in London there is no reason why they couldn't do the same in Sydney or Melbourne. Particularly NBA would generate incredible coverage and interest because there is already substantial support and interest in the game. Not only that but whichever clubs do come out will definitely benefit economically such as Sacramento or Golden State. Even though the NFL didn't make the intended impact with their match in 1999 that was 15 years ago. If a match can be successful and economically viable in London then their is no reason why it can't be in Australia. Enjoy
Dominic Davies
Expert
Fantastic read Mark, well done.