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Post by wildpitch23 on Nov 21, 2009 0:19:58 GMT 10
Hey rallymonkey, I just "wasted my money" (a whole $10) tonight watching a great performance by our Rams that included three bombs and an impressive pitching outing. They shutdown the Perth Heat tonight and let's not forget that Heat have taken the title for the last two years. Oh, and you won't believe it, there were no wild pitches!!! A really enjoyable night for baseball fans and I was joined by several hundred other fans who didn't think it was a waste of time to support our boys!!!
Go Rams!!!
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Post by ramsrus on Nov 21, 2009 7:50:38 GMT 10
What a great performance by the RAMS last night!!! Pitching a full 9 quality innings, Simon Morriss was outstanding. Andy Utting and Brad Dutton were great with the bat. Generally the team looked more confident and polished.
Reading some of the posts on here and listening to some of the comments from people last night, it saddens me that people in our game seem to be so disillusioned. Is this compettion not an opportunity for the future of the game and the future of all the junior players out there? There is a lot of work to be done here, I agree, but when a man of Jon Deeble's standing and charachter gets behind the competition and is personally lobbying to get people behind this compettion, that inspires me. Do yourselves a favour and read the Australian Baseball Radio Forum to see this man's efforts.
Yesterday, I saw people who have no "little Johny" who will benefit from any of this, working their buts off at the game. I heard some disturbing remarks yesterday from people who do have a "little Johny" who can benefit from this competition. Let me say that if you are not prepared to support this competition by your pressence, your assistance or your attitude, don't blame BQI or the ABF when there are no opportunities for the junior players in the future.
I am personally happy to waste my money on this. Yes, I bought a family pass even though I could get free tickets from a player. I will be at as many games as I can be, here and interstate. This competition will work if the thinking moves from what baseball is and can be for each individual to what baseball is and can be for the community.
Looking forward to the games today, hope to see you all there.
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Post by wildpitch23 on Nov 21, 2009 8:15:12 GMT 10
I too will be back this evening, ramsrus, and agree with everything you have said. Unfortunately, will miss the afternoon game due to other baseball commitments. Come on, anyone who has their doubts, come and see what's possible and congratulate the people who are at least trying instaed of constantly knocking them.
Go Rams!!!
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Post by rallymonkey44 on Nov 21, 2009 9:04:38 GMT 10
Hey wildpitch23, you clearly missed the point of my post. A small handful of loyal supporters can't generate the massive levels of financial investment required to sustain an ongoing high quality competition such as the proposed ABL. We have been down this path before with top flight baseball in this country.
Whether you like it or not this is a business, its about finding financial support on a national basis to allow teams to compete. In order to succeed you need acceptance and support from the greater sporting public not just the local members of baseball clubs. For many of which are already spending their money and efforts in helping their own clubs survive and remain viable with membership and teams.
In order to "grow" the game you need media and advertsing as well as sound and long term financial backers. My first post reflected the ongoung lack of these factors with our game. People can spruck about the game as much as they like, bottom line is even there was sufficient financial backing how does the competition sustain itself, pay a return on its investment etc. Bottom line is whether it be the ABL or any other business looking to go national you need to have your business plan,financial model and most importantly your customer base well organised otherwise failure is inevitable whether it be upfront or 12-18 months down the track.
This point is proven from the current state for example of all codes of football in this country. The NRL struggles to get attendances outside Qld, Union is under pressure for quality players and supporters, the new Gold coast soccer side's cost are escalating beyond what they can sustain so they have a crowd cap to curb costs. The Roar have rapidly falling attendances also. At some point business acumen must prevail and competitions will be revamped or teams fold or have massive levels of debt which ultimately impact on members at grass roots.
So before you wear your heart on your sleeve with the ABL remember - it all fantastic until you run out of someone elses money.
Instead of an ABL why not start look at convincing one of the Asian competitions to expand and have an Australian team as part of the competition. Spend your resources on one team in a bigger and more established market - not try and reinvent a phoenix. This way you get pay tv exposure and rights income as well as media exposure locally for one elite side.
You wants juniors to aspire to something, why not give them another option in a more established and well run league on top of the existing MLB feeder leagues and clubs etc.
Give me your thoughts?
PS Well done to the Rams on a much improved effort.
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Post by wildpitch23 on Nov 21, 2009 23:52:24 GMT 10
I agree with many of your points, rallymonkey, and I'm quite sure that the people involved with trying to get this competition up and running are more than aware of them as well.
If, however, they cannot even rely on those of us who already call ourselves fans of Australian baseball to come and support their attempt, then sponsorship, international comps, tv and media coverage and interest from the general public will never be achieved.
All is not perfect and this season they are just trying to get on their feet....let's give them a go!!
(BTW ABL organisers....if you are listening....the food's too expensive!!!)
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Post by ramsrus on Nov 22, 2009 9:37:40 GMT 10
Agree wildpitch23. Apparently it was cheaper to buy a beer than a hotdog at the field. Not exactly encouraging for parents. The food van was very expensive. $8 for a burger and $4 for a coke. To me this is too much and people will start bringing their own food.
Enjoyed the day yesterday even though we lost both games. WA bats warmed up and home runs were plentiful. Lots of lost opportunities with runners left on bases and fielding was not as sharp as Friday night. A couple of bad pitches got hit fro home runs, but some good pitches got hit for home runs, so generally gooding batting by WA.
Hope everyone continues to support the team and that we are not a community who only wants to support winners. See you all next weekend.
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Post by 44 on Nov 22, 2009 13:28:47 GMT 10
RM44, I agree with you that we need more marketing in the public media. But not right now as it would not be cost effective. Any Free advertising of course is welcome anytime and I believe a couple of Radio Stations have already come on board with this. I've no doubt that those in charge have planned for and are fully aware of all this and from what i've seen are doing a fantastic job in just the 1st Weekend at Home. ( Crowd Numbers I heard, FRIDAY 435 and SATURDAY 507 ) is a great start even with the RAMS doing it a bit tough on field early. Compare the ABL QLD brand to the VIC or NSW brand and QLD is miles ahead marketing and spectator wise at this stage. SA and WA still leading the charge. I'd imagine at the highest levels, all the GM's compare notes and are swapping ideas to make it work under the MLB guidance. I think the task at present is to build the ABL and QLD product, get as much existing grass roots support and volunteers on board through the club and State network. That will then be easier and profitable to sell to the non-baseball public over the next few seasons. RM44.. did you go to either game , if so what did you think? I agree... $8 for a Burger is a bit steep unless I can get Mushrooms, Bacon and Oysters on mine.....
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Post by wilderness on Nov 25, 2009 11:42:59 GMT 10
I enjoy going to live sports games and now that my kids are old enough to not get into too much trouble, I like taking them along too. Not just baseball but we love a good night out at the footy too. But there's a big difference between why I go to live sports and why my kids go to live sports. I actually like to watch the game and to soak up the atomosphere and to cheer on my side. My kids are at an age where they like the food, the slushies, the lolly bags and the icecreams. They will look at the game once in a while but as we are walking out at the end of the game, I'm sure they wouldn't be able to tell me the final score. I'm not complaining about my kids ... it's just that they're too young to appreciate the reasons why lots of other people go to the games.
Lots of sports cater for this young element ... they have family hills where most of these tempting delights can be bought, alcohol is not allowed and the people that go there are usually much quieter than other supporters. In the end, these kids still have to buy a ticket or have a pass and so they still count as a spectator, and it makes them want to come back next time. It also takes the pressure off the top half of the family from having to worry about their kids when they are enjoying the game.
Maybe this is something to think about, further down the track!
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Post by baseballmad on Nov 27, 2009 8:38:22 GMT 10
Idea: I do understand that this could be very difficult to organize but just think what it could do for our game. Imagine if we could have a home run derby on Saturday between games 2 and 3 with Shane Watson (Cricketer), Mitch Johnson, Chris Gayle, Dave Nilsson and Paul Gonzo. How about just having a home run Derby!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by puff on Nov 28, 2009 7:39:48 GMT 10
A real disappointing night fot the Rams ands their fans last night but everyone who was there had to be impressed with the back to back to back monstrous home runs by South Australia.Occasionally you may see a ball hit a long way over the fence but to see 3 in a space of 5 pitches was huge.
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Post by theriv on Nov 28, 2009 7:57:18 GMT 10
There's your Home Run Derby right there.
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Post by bronco on Nov 28, 2009 23:12:37 GMT 10
Rams are soft! Get rid of that massage table, seems too many of the rams are more intersted in getting their massage or rub down than they are in playing the game. We are either carrying a team of cripples or softies. Seeing players non stop before and during the game lining up for their rub down is a joke. Harden up, you are embarassing!
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Post by ramsrus on Nov 29, 2009 7:46:33 GMT 10
Rams are soft! Get rid of that massage table, seems too many of the rams are more intersted in getting their massage or rub down than they are in playing the game. We are either carrying a team of cripples or softies. Seeing players non stop before and during the game lining up for their rub down is a joke. Harden up, you are embarassing! I will say not that I am not educated on this topic, but are the "rub downs" part of normal preparation / post play ritual? Perhaps they normally happen in the clubrooms and therefore no one notices. As I said , not an expert on this. Disppointing result again over the weekend, but it's still great to watch the game at this level. Some excellent plays, some very good batting and always humbling to see the ball sail over the home run fence (just not too nice when it's not in our favour). Still loved being there and will keep coming back win or lose. A few antics going on I didn't quite understand???
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Post by theriv on Nov 29, 2009 7:51:15 GMT 10
I'm not so sure about that, but I do know they're facing some very good teams. Kinda makes you wonder where our league, both Major and Pacific, rates vs other states. Yes, we do have a couple of good kids, but so do the other states and, sadly, their good kids rate higher than ours. I do believe the standard of play has diminished over the past 10 years. We're strong in Junior National championships, but don't carry that through to the senior level. 19-24 age group is the most difficult to keep in sport -- but I wonder if Queensland has fewer playing than other states. Look at the group from 5 years ago who played in the U18 championships -- how many are still playing? Young, Paewai, Rooke, Naylor, Brad Erasmus, Murphey, Green, Edwards, Phelps, Walker just to name a few. Lots of thoughts there....mostly ramblings, but I don't think the Rams team is soft -- just playing in a very tough comp, perhaps with less talent than others.
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Post by bronco on Nov 29, 2009 11:00:29 GMT 10
I am no expert either but I am just calling it as I see it. Rubdowns may be a part of preparation for some pitchers OK fair enough, but the rub downs/massages have continued non-stop over the last 2 weekends during the games. "My opinion only" is that too many players are taking advantage of having the massage table next to the dugout and seem to spend more time there than in the dugout. "Soft" maybe/maybenot, but it took a rams players 6 innings into the 6th home game before they showed some passion and some spirit. Thank you PJ Bevis.
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