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Post by snoball on Dec 30, 2008 14:35:43 GMT 10
What I would like to see ---
Each team with a squad of 25, with 16-18 of those US Minor league players.
The other 7-9 spots filled by unsigned players. Try outs (Hey, a new idea in baseball. Well, in Queensland baseball anyway) would be held in 3 or 4 sites, say Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The tryout would be held on different weekends and at the end of all (whether it be 3 or 4) tryouts, officials from each ABL team meet to hold a draft of those who were at the tryouts. Or -- any player who has been at the try out can sign with a club at the end of that try out. (Only problem here is that there will be fewer spots available at the end of the 4th try out than there were at the end of the 1st) Players could attend all 4 tryouts if they wish. So, local players, released players, Independent league, Japanese, Korean, South African could all try out for these spots.
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Post by 44 on Dec 30, 2008 20:27:57 GMT 10
The more I read posts by Snoball.. the more I think he is on the money... I am giving him 2 Big Thumbs Up. I want to see top Local players on the Brisbane XXXX team as much as anyone, but having a Brisbane based team of maybe A or A+ or AA players from anywhere in the world is an exciting concept and highly marketable. I'd imagine there would be at least a certain percentage of "Brissy boys" in the team. If this MLB backed ABL Model pans out, it could have the website marketing backing as an affiliate League via the www.MILB.com network and could achieve 10 times the mainstream media exposure in Australia than the ABF ever could. It is by far the best model... the most talented players in Brisbane will more than get enough chances to shine in the future if this pans out. Indy Aussie Team or Draft selection of Local Aussies thrown in the Mix has much merit also. I can see maybe just ONE Indy Aussie team in the new ABL comp but not one per State. A open pool player draft of unsigned top Aussies might be a better idea. |
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Post by 44 on Dec 30, 2008 21:40:36 GMT 10
Think BIG Yamagutchi.
With the MLB/ABL Aussie Plan we can discover more Pistol Pete Moylans and more batters like D.Nilsson the next 10 years and double or triple the Junior numbers playing baseball in Australia in the process.
MLB and MILB marketing power will create more Junior Baseball numbers in this Country than Little League ever will...
ABF made a big mistake thinking Little League would self market in Australia.. In technical terms I actually think Little league rules for the U13's and U12's is a backward step in baseball skill development.. but that's for another thread.
MLB and MILB exposure is a sure bet to help market baseball in our little Island Country more.. We should embrace the chance and marketing potential.
Last I saw baseball in this country is maybe ranked 12 or 13 ?
Let's get it in top 10 to start with and work from there.
The MLB are already investing More than Millions into China for possible untapped talent from a Country with billions population.
I think MLB see value for much less from the talented Aussie baseballers and will support the new National League.
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Post by yamagutchi on Dec 30, 2008 23:10:23 GMT 10
Your spot on Ramsrus... and snoball you too make valid points. But I have from a reliable source at MLB that there will probably be four to five imports on each team. the rest will be made up of australian pro's.
keep in mind that Major league orgs cant just fill a league.
1. alot of guys get shut down for winter ball
2. some get sent to the Arizona fall league
3. some will go to instructional league after the season and then will be shut down.
4. alot will opt not to play in the winter.
5. all the Venezuelans will be sent to play in the VWL also the same with Dominicans.
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Post by 17starter on Dec 31, 2008 1:07:00 GMT 10
Who I see as being more talented is irrelevant. If MLB is investing money in the ABL, they are going to use it to facilitate their programs. It could be, that not all of our Australian signed players play in the ABL. They might be told to take the winter off, play in a stronger league, or whatever. But, if Milwaukee has put in $50,000 (I have no idea what the MLB will contribute per team) you can be assured that they will want their money to be put to good use for their club. So, I can't see them being happy if one of their players in on the bench while an unsigned Australian player is taking his spot on the field. You are, obviously, going to have a number of players in the stands who might be more talented but aren't on a team. Some because they have been released or are too young. Others because the same organizations that released them are now running the ABL teams. These teams have decided that they didn't have the talent. That's going to happen. But, I think the MLB is going to decide the structure and in a way that they will get some return on their money spent. Bottom line, this is a business. If this is the case then MLB better get used to empty stadiums then..Locals (MLB customers) want to see locals. No matter what sport it is. If the indians bought the sheffield shield and filled it with indian, pakis and poms for IPL practice would you pay to go more than once? Fixed quote |
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Post by yamagutchi on Dec 31, 2008 1:50:47 GMT 10
Spot On 17.... Im not that interested in what import guys are doing in the league.... But I sure would pay for a ticket to see the local guys develop over the years like your naughton's Naylor's Crawford's erasmus's... thats what the fan base can identify with!... people from every club will pay to go see them compete at a elite level of baseball.... If you dont have your aussie pro's with a few unsigned guys mixed in the league would tank!
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Post by puff on Dec 31, 2008 8:11:28 GMT 10
starter17, as has been said before, Brisbane has plenty of pros to give the locals someone to follow.
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Post by snoball on Dec 31, 2008 8:45:21 GMT 10
I think we'll have plenty of players to fill the teams, whether it be local pro's or imports. It's an exciting time for baseball in Australia and is being closely watched by MLB officials. They would like an alternate Winter league -- where they could send their kids where food, language and climate is similar to the US. Some of the Latin American countries pose too many problems. Hawaii was the first step -- Australia could be the next.
On a similar but different note -- Administration will be one of the major keys to the success of the teams. Last year, on the BQI site, they had a link that you could respond to, asking for any type of assistance with the new ABL team. I replied to the link, sent an email expressing interest and, have heard nothing since. Not even a quick email to say that they have received and noted my interest and will keep me informed of the progress.
Most ABL teams will be relying on volunteers, so I hope front offices are more receptive to all who put their hand up,
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Post by snoball on Dec 31, 2008 8:51:45 GMT 10
Locals (MLB customers) want to see locals. No matter what sport it is.
17Starter -- I disagree. I've seen most of our local players since they were U12's. A number of them I wouldn't now pay to see play. Bring in some exciting new players. The previous ABL didn't fail because of the number of imports.
The public will get behind them. Look at what happened with the former ABL with players like John Jaha. The public will find their favorites and support them. Give me a good mixture of imports and local quality players, signed or unsigned.
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Post by 17starter on Dec 31, 2008 12:28:41 GMT 10
Locals (MLB customers) want to see locals. No matter what sport it is. 17Starter -- I disagree. I've seen most of our local players since they were U12's. A number of them I wouldn't now pay to see play. Bring in some exciting new players. The previous ABL didn't fail because of the number of imports. The public will get behind them. Look at what happened with the former ABL with players like John Jaha. The public will find their favorites and support them. Give me a good mixture of imports and local quality players, signed or unsigned. Yes once again you are right , guys like Jaha had a massive following and i agree on your mixture of imports and locals.I guess i am being selfish cause i want in but now i think about it we may just be settling for good not great at the moment cause we have forgoten how good the imports were and just how much they did actually raise the level of ball in this country. Maybe we are scared of being shown that we are good but not great. YOUR WINNING ME OVER PRIVATE SNOBALL( Full Metal Jacket referance) |
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Post by a rod on Jan 24, 2009 18:55:00 GMT 10
you guys are right i use to go and watch the abl and enjoyed watching the likes of homer bush who has stints with the yankees and in toronto and guys like adam barker, it was also good to see guys like hinton and burton as well. i agree with snoball ive grown up with and around most the guys that are or who have been signed and i wouldnt pay to watch some of them, i think the biggest thing will t.v. coverage if the mlb and abf are serious they should have been trialling it on fox or channel ten like the use to have back in the days of abl. i would rather see imports in the high minors and our guys and guys who are not signed playing i would go to the try outs for it.
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bwc
Tee Baller
Posts: 3
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Post by bwc on Feb 26, 2009 12:56:29 GMT 10
i dont understand ...we have been complaining about NOT having a national league
for so long, now that it looks likely that we will have one you say that you wouldnt pay
to watch these guys live BUT you would watch them on TV? Fox Sports are probaly not going to put it on TV if theres no crowds to watch the games. I know its been a tough 10 years
without a league and i've been frustrated as much as the next person but lets forget the past
and support the future of our game and try and embrace what we have
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Post by a rod on May 2, 2009 10:42:50 GMT 10
does anyone have more info on the new league?
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Post by 44 on May 2, 2009 11:22:03 GMT 10
Last I heard was the radio show forum interview with Ben Foster.
he indicated next Claxton shield might be some sort of hybrid claxton/ABL expanded comp with a view to full blown ABL year after.
It was on one of the last few shows of the season , you can listen to the podcast.
or ask him on the Radio forum.. he gets on there sometimes and posts.
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Post by BQ Moderator on May 2, 2009 13:54:29 GMT 10
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