ABL

[wenchbarwer]

Looks like the lifecycle of the national baseball league is about to bottom out again, a 5 team comp will be horrible.

Melbourne Aces depart ABL for new opportunities overseas

The Australian Baseball League will meet with its remaining clubs following the sudden shock withdrawal of one of its biggest franchises to decide the future of the competition.

Australian Baseball League officials are remaining tightlipped over the future of the competition following the withdrawal of the Melbourne Aces.

The Aces announced on Monday they would be removing themselves for next season, instead opting for international competitions.

It’s a move which has left just five teams for the 2025-26 campaign including the Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits, Canberra Cavalry, Perth Heat and Sydney Blue Sox.

The league had previously expanded to eight teams for the 2018-19 season including Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea, although both folded in 2023.

When asked where the future of the ABL lies following the Aces’ exit, Baseball Australia boss Glenn Williams said “we will continue to work with teams on planning for the ABL for season 25-26”.

There are concerns surrounding the financial stability of at least one other club but Williams said planning for next summer was still going ahead.

“We have a strong relationship with all license holders and are working with them to plan for ABL season 2025/2026,” he said.

In its statement confirming its departure, the Melbourne Aces said the decision was made as a result of years of discussion with the ABL regarding “unresolved concerns”.

In response, Williams said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on those concerns.

The Aces confirmed they will compete in the Ulsan KBO Fall League in Korea in October later this year with home games against Korean teams in January and February 2026 to follow.

“However, this is far from the end—it’s the start of something even bigger,” the club said.

“This transition allows us to take the club to new heights, providing fans with an even better baseball experience.

“The Aces ownership, management, coaches, and players remain committed to delivering top-level competition and entertainment.”

The Melbourne Aces social media channels were flooded with comments after the decision was revealed — a move which leaves the ABL with just five teams.

“While the Melbourne Aces are trying to frame their withdrawal from the Australian Baseball League (ABL) as an exciting new chapter, the reality is far more disappointing and damaging — not just for Melbourne, but for the entire Australian baseball community,” Scott Deakes wrote in a lengthy comment.

“This move reflects a short-sighted and selfish decision that prioritises individual ambition over the greater good of the sport in Australia.”

Another wrote: “Wait what?? We just purchased memberships and merchandise!! I’ve just wasted all this money”

In response to any comments, the Aces social media team wrote “Melbourne Aces will be playing on. We will keep the Melbourne Aces as an active baseball club. Over the coming summer we have already committed to a number of games”.

Baseball Australia president thanked Brett and Shaun Ralph and the club for their commitment to the competition.

“The Aces have been major contributors to baseball for a significant period,” he said.

“It is a loss to see them withdraw from the league. We thank the Ralph family, and everyone involved in the Aces organisation for their contribution to baseball in Australia.

“The Aces have achieved tremendous success both on and off the field over many years.”

[Jim05]

Canberra Cavalry who won the competition last year have also pulled the pin on the season
Sydney Blue Sox has debt issues but they think there is a new buyer to take them on which still leaves us with a 4 team national comp

[wenchbarwer]

Time to wind it up, yet again...

[Booney]

Today, the current Canberra Cavalry licence group confirmed they will not participate in the Australian Baseball League (ABL).

Their license will be handed back to Baseball Australia.

While this news is disappointing, the ABL continues to work with four teams to move ahead with a 2025-26 season.

The Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits, Perth Heat, Sydney Blue Sox and a potential new owner have all stated their desire to play baseball this summer in at least a four-team format.

The assertion that Sydney Blue Sox will not take part in the 2025-26 season is incorrect. The ABL is currently in talks with potential license holders to take over the Blue Sox.

“This presents a great opportunity to strategically reshape the league, while still hitting the board’s objectives of the development of Australia’s new, emerging and existing high performance talent,” says ABL General Manager Paul Gonzalez. “The ABL acknowledge the people that have supported the ABL and will endeavour to progress it forward in 2025-26.”

“A reset is needed into how a professional baseball competition in Australia operates,” adds Gonzalez. “The Board are highly supportive and there are productive conversations with teams as to what a season looks like now and into the future. We are excited to be working with four teams in preparation of the Australian Baseball League in 2025-26 and motivated to work with ABL Licence holders who understand the league should still exist and not on hold.”

The league is committed to a schedule announcement for our fans in July as the teams work out the structure of a new-look competition.

Further, Baseball Australia is committed to the Australian Baseball League as the platform to showcase our game and to provide high performing athletes a pathway in the lead up to key events like the World Baseball Classic and Olympic Qualifiers.

The league understands the importance to the key stakeholders, partners, members, fans and our baseball community to see our sport played at a high level and encourage participation levels.

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams says there are positive signs in the ABL landscape.

“What is encouraging is that in the last couple weeks there has been commentary that indicates a deep level of care and passion by stakeholders,“ says Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.

“People are now seeing the reality of the challenges faced in operating an ABL by both the league and its teams.”

“We have a journey ahead, but that’s when we do our best work. It’s an opportunity to reset, reshape and deliver generational change to our great game in Australia.”

We thank you for your continued support of all teams with your feet, by showing up to a ballpark, supporting your community and backing your team as we push to make a professional baseball league viable in Australia together.

[wenchbarwer]

Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams says there are positive signs in the ABL landscape.

I call bullshit.

Not enough was done to leverage off of the 2014 Opening Series with the Dodgers & Diamondbacks, imo.

Sydney was absolutely buzzing for it when it was on, and I feel like an opportunity was lost. We should be really pushing hard to have an alignment to MLB teams, being an official minor league team that provides a Winter League (I know...) option for potential MLB players. The loose affiliation teams currently have doesn't work, as it seems dependent on managerial relationships and contacts rather than a structured alignment.

We can clearly produce the players, we just continually have a league that fails them.

[Booney]

We had a great weekend in Sydney, the game got a massive boost and I agree, they failed to capitalize on that.

[wenchbarwer]

We had a great weekend in Sydney, the game got a massive boost and I agree, they failed to capitalize on that.

I ran into so many SA baseball people that weekend! New Era had sold out of the commemorative hats by Sunday, I managed to grab mine on the Monday. The shop owner told me he had the New Era rep begging him to bring his stock to the game.
Same when we went into Red Stiches at Hornby, the owner said he'd just been inundated with demand for merch and equipment.

To go from that, to where we are now, is just sad.

[wenchbarwer]

And then there were 3...

Perth Heat announce thy won't compete this season either.