Australian Rules Baseball

[The Just]

Australian Rules Baseball announced for 2008 launch


August 10^th, 2007


It's been rumored and speculated for the past year, and has seen a lot of talk in the last few months. After many meetings, founder and head of the board Wallie Finkleman came out today in a press conference to announce the launch of Australian Rules Baseball for September 2008.


The season will be run from the start of October and through the end of February. Players will report to spring training in September. There is expected to be 110 regular season games. Six teams will be set up for the inaugural season, and Finkleman said we'll be introduced to the original six in the coming weeks.


“Australia has shown some success in the world of baseball,” said Finkleman, who will be the head of the ARB Board of Directors. “It's about time we set up a league in Australia that is built for the long haul.”


But many have been skeptical about this new Australian Rules Baseball. “Who the hell in this place cares about baseball,” said Mark from Brisbane, a first-time caller to the AussieSmack sports radio show. “Listen, we already have cricket. We already have Australian rules football. We have rugby. We have soccer making a good showing, and now you want baseball? It's too close to cricket, and I already hate cricket anyway. Who cares?”


“Cricket is a sport that appeals to the private clubs here in Australia,” said Finkleman. “Baseball appeals more to the common man. While it's easier to pick up a soccer ball and run with it through a field, not everyone is interested in it. While I support it, and love watching it, some people would prefer more hand-eye coordination. And those 'some people' don't have the financial ability to get into cricket.”


At 48 years old, Finkleman is former player in the advertising business. With a lot of money and a lot of influence, he made it known that he wanted to “prove the doubters wrong and have a great first season, and many other seasons after 2008.”

As for what makes "Australian Rules Baseball" any different than other codes of baseball, Finkleman said, "You'll just have to find out."

[Radsmats]

Originally Posted by The Just

As for what makes "Australian Rules Baseball" any different than other codes of baseball, Finkleman said, "You'll just have to find out."

Full contact I expect.

[The Just]

Originally Posted by Radsmats

Full contact I expect.

[darkcloud4579]

Nice start.

[The Just]

ARB season format, salary cap, teams, stadiums plans, draft, rules



Special Report


August 11^th, 2007


It was yesterday when Australian Rules Baseball was announced. Just one day later, so much more information has been released to the public. This is the product of over a year in talks behind closed doors.


“I want the league to work hand-in-hand with the other leagues of the world in expanding this great game,” said Wallie Finkleman, ARB founder and head of it's Board of Directors. “But I also wish to run a successful business, and I want Australian Rules Baseball to be a unique experience compared to any other sporting event out there.”


Season Format


The inaugural 2008 season will see spring training in September, paralleling the United States weather seasons. The regular season will kick off in October and see 110 games, which is expected to last at least through February.


“Some people questioned the thought of so many games, especially for the first year,” said Finkleman. “A few wanted to minimize games, thinking it would increase attendance on a game-to-game basis. In order to successfully work with other leagues around the globe and present a true baseball product, I was one of the guys who thought we needed at least 100 games.”


The regular season is a single table race for first place. The winners of the regular season will be presented with the Cooper's Brewery© Australian Trophy. “Cooper's and the ARB hope to establish a strong relationship,” said a Cooper's spokesman responding to the brewery sponsoring the ARB's regular season title.


“The ARB appeals to everyone,” Finkleman said. “Which is why we put an emphasis on regular season success. There's a lot of things to be excited about during the course of a single table race. But others love playoffs, and the ARB would like to give people interested in that a chance to enjoy themselves.”


In a seven game series, the Suncorp© Outback Classic will see the winners of the Australian Trophy get homefield advantage against the second place team.


“It will be considered a major accomplish should a team win both the Australian Trophy and Outback Classic,” said Finkleman. “That will be considered winning 'The Double.' I suggest you capitalize that, since I don't think anyone should neglect either one in favor of the other. This is suppose to be variety for the fans.”


The ARB is already seeing profits after selling the rights to the their two championships.


Salary Cap


The original six teams will be held to a salary cap of $6,000,000 AUD ($5,046,004.55 USD). It is projected by the ARB Board of Directors that by 2018, the league will be able to increase the salary cap to $10,000,000 AUD by then.


For now, the league wants to focus on the growth and development of baseball in Australia. They also are recognizing the fact that their regular season runs during a good portion of Major League Baseball's off-season. “Later on, we'll look at how we can add a transfer system to partner with MLB,” said Finkleman. “Until we hammer out the dents and speak the same language, don't expect a transfer system any time soon. For now, ARB is focused on getting the youth in Australia interested and developing them into good ballplayers. At the same time, we wish to turn a profit.”


“I realize that some will want star power, and the salary cap prevents our teams from landing Alex Rodriguez or David Ortiz,” he continued. “But I don't think we need an A-Rod or a Big Papi suiting up for one of our franchises to get people interested. I'd be surprised if a whole lot of people in Australia knew who those guys were anyway.”


Stadium Plans


The ARB has made it known that in order for an owner or investor group to even qualify for franchise ownership, they must set up a baseball specific stadium (BSS) before it's first game.


“We need the proper setup, and more importantly – we need it to look better for television,” said Finkleman. “We don't want to see a game where there's a bunch of empty seats and the fans are spread out through a huge cricket or rugby ground. It would look bad on TV, and the crowd chanting would get lost in that hollowness. At the same time, we stress to the teams and people who fund the construction of baseball specific stadiums to plan for future expansion. When the game takes off, and it will, the demand for the product will increase. We're telling owners to prepare to make their stadiums bigger, and build accordingly when that is the case in our future. This way we don't have to build entirely new stadiums.”


All six of the original teams will be playing in baseball specific stadiums, as it is the requirement of the ARB.


Original Six Teams


Prior to the press conference yesterday, the original six teams were already locked up with ownership groups and stadium plans. The original six are listed down below:


Sydney
Brisbane
Melbourne
Adelaide
New Zealand
Perth


Five Australian cities and the country of New Zealand represented. None of them have any team names yet, and for a marketing and fan friendly reason.


“We decided not to force a silly mascot or team name on the supporters in these regions,” explained Finkleman. “We want fans to think of their own nicknames for their team. It's so they can be allowed a more personal connection to them. The best nicknames will stick through time.”


Draft


The first draft will take place in May 2008, giving teams extra time to get together before spring training in September. The ARB draft will be unique compared to any other draft in sports.


“Any man who can pass a sports physical, eighteen years old to infinity years old, can sign themselves up for the draft,” declared Finkleman. “If scouts think you can play ball, you can play ball. And you can play in our league.”


Scouting combines will be set up in all five cities and in New Zealand. They will start in January 2008 and last up until the draft.


Rules


Finkleman's “wait and see” quote regarding what makes Aussie rules baseball any different from other baseball codes planted the seeds of intrigue. It even caught the attention of those looking from the outside in North America. Many sports talk show hosts speculated along with callers, and many of them said they expect full contact.


“I guess we already failed if everyone wants to see a rugby match,” said Finkleman with a laugh. “We are, however, tapping into technology. We will be rewarding three challenges per game to each manager to contest an umpire's ruling. The head umpire will then go to the booth and given two minutes to review the play in dispute. It's about time a baseball league tries to get the calls right, especially in this age.”


The designated hitter rule will also be in effect. “No other level of baseball has the pitchers hitting, so we shouldn't require them to suddenly hit in the pros.”


When asked what other further rulings there would be to make ARB unique, Finkleman concluded. “It's not so much the rulings, as much as it is the brand of baseball. This may not be the most talented compilation of ballplayers, but damn it... These will be the toughest and grittiest players out there, playing the toughest and grittiest baseball on this planet. Us Aussies are tough, and this league will have a lot of that toughness. It doesn't need to be forced, either. That will come naturally. Believe it.”

[myasu]

So, where did the full contact go?
Just kidding....

Great start!
I will follow.

[Powderguy]

Nice start, I'm following

[The Just]

Get to know your ARB teams

December 15^th, 2007


The ARB debuts with their first regular season games in October of next year. Scouting combines start next month, and the draft will roll around in May. We won't wait until September's spring training to introduce you to the ARB.


The ARB requires their teams to build baseball specific stadiums, and refuses to rent out other grounds. In this get-to-know report, we'll show you the stadiums that the original six teams will call home. We have capacity, field dimensions, planned construction details, and the names of these venues. We'll also introduce you to the fan groups that have already assembled to support their baseball team.


Adelaide
Adelaide Baseball Field
Capacity: 8,000
LF line: 315 ft. / 10 ft. wall
LF: 330 ft. / 10 ft. wall
L-C: 360 ft. / 10 ft. wall
C: 388 ft. /10 ft. wall
R-C: 360 ft. / 10 ft. wall
RF: 330 ft. / 16 ft. wall
RF line: 315 ft. / 16 ft. wall


Stadium Notes: The 16 ft. wall in right is a scoreboard. It's a big, humanly operated, wooden scoreboard.


Brisbane
Bank of Queensland© Stadium
Capacity: 11,300
LF line: 360 ft. / 5 ft. wall
LF: 370 ft. / 5 ft. wall
L-C: 390 ft. / 5 ft. wall
C: 430 ft. / 5 ft. wall
R-C: 400 ft. / 5 ft. wall
RF: 385 ft. / 5 ft. wall
RF line: 360 ft. / 5 ft. wall


Stadium Notes: “The BoQ” gives outfielders of all kinds a daunting task. To make things worse, all of that running hard for a ball hit very deep could just end up as an easy ground rule double. Those walls are only five feet after all.


Melbourne
Winstow Park
Capacity: 16,000
LF line: 300 ft. / 12 ft. wall
LF: 320 ft. / 12 ft. wall
L-C: 358 ft. / 10 ft. wall
C: 387 ft. / 10 ft. wall
R-C: 358 ft. /10 ft. wall
RF: 326 ft. /12 ft. wall
RF line: 326 ft. / 12 ft. wall


Stadium Notes: Named after team owner Eric Winstow, this BSS has the highest capacity in the ARB. It also looks very slick, and appears to be the easiest for television crews to setup.


New Zealand, “The Outsiders”
The New Zealand National Baseball Park
Capacity: 5,700
LF line: 330 ft. / 30 ft. wall
LF: 370 ft. / 30 ft. wall
L-C: 390 ft. / 30 ft. wall
C: 420 ft. / 30 ft. wall
R-C: 400 ft. / 30 ft. wall
RF: 380 ft. / 30 ft. wall
RF line: 360 ft. / 30 ft. wall


Stadium Notes: The stadium will have all of their seats by the third base line, at the left field side. In order to make it hard for those who are looking to get a free peak of the action, the NZNBP will have thirty foot walls that start at the left field line, wrap around the outfield, and over the home team's dugout along the first base line. That's most of the stadium surrounded by the wall.


The home team dugout is located in front of the big wall, while the visiting team will have their dugout right underneath the home crowd. New Zealand will look to make the most of their home field advantage.


Fan Notes: Being the only team in the ARB that is outside of Australia, and representing the whole country of New Zealand, a rugby and cricket dominated country has already seen a growing fan base that is planning extensively for the first pitch.


The fans call themselves “The Outsiders,” and have made it known that they view their country's pride at stake in every game against the five Australian cities. Their supporters group website has called for their members to bring noisemakers, flares, streamers, and anything else that is allowed into the stadium.


Perth
The Home of the Bell
Capacity: 6,800
LF line: 290 ft. / 9 ft. wall
LF: 350 ft. / 9 ft. wall
L-C: 380 ft. / 11 ft. wall
C: 385 ft. / 11 ft. wall
R-C: 380 ft. / 11 ft. wall
RF: 350 ft. / 9 ft. wall
RF line: 290 ft. / 9 ft. wall


Stadium Notes: Up in the sky, on top of the press box, a giant bell stands. It's what this park is named after. It is to be pulled on and rung five times before the umpire shouts, “Play ball!”


“The Perth organizers thought it'd be a great idea,” said a team spokesman. “It will catch everyone's attention, and it should set a mood at the ballpark that you won't get anywhere else.”


Perth will be looking at the prospect of celebrity bell ringers that will attract the media to these games.


Fan Notes: Upon hearing about their stadium plans, “Hell's Bells” has been formed and plans to take their seats right behind home plate. They plan on bringing little bells of their own to add to the atmosphere, and create a distraction for opposing players.


That's what Perth is looking for, and one of the reasons why they cramped up the field dimensions. “We want fans to be closer to the field,” said a spokesman. “The closer they are, the more into it they'll be.”


Sydney, “The Premiers”
Premier State Field
Capacity: 14,200
LF line: 343 ft. / 20 ft. wall
LF: 343 ft. / 20 ft. wall
L-C: 366 ft. / 14 ft. wall
C: 390 ft. / 14 ft. wall
R-C: 363 ft. / 8 ft. wall
RF: 339 ft. / 8 ft. wall
RF line: 330 ft. / 8 ft. wall


Stadium Notes: The 20 ft. wall in left is a scoreboard, which is more hi-tech than the one in Adelaide. This one updates scores from all over Australia, in many different sports, in a bit of a marquee style. The Premiers' score is the main one, of course.


Fan Notes: New South Wales is the most populated state in Australia, and is known as “The Premier State.” A group of fans have taken the liberty to naming themselves “The Premiers,” proclaiming their dominance even before the team has scouted anyone.

[The Just]

ARB Draft Day

May 1^st, 2008


The teams are randomly selected in order of the first round: Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, New Zealand, Sydney. It was a serpentine style draft, rather than a straight draft.


On this draft day special report, we have brought in a neutral scout to tell us who they rate as the top five picks in this draft. Thousands of people tried to get in on the ARB, many were looked at, and out of all of them, these are the five you should look out for.


Hugh “Bones” Mollett (SS/2B), Perth: At 30 years old, Bones showed a decent glove at his positions. He can cause hell on the base paths, and even lay down a perfect bunt. But this right-handed pull hitter won't be bunting often if he translates the explosive power and sharp eye that he showed in the combine to an actual game.


Anibal Soto (1B/DH), New Zealand Outsiders:At 31, he traveled all the way over from the Dominican Republic to get a shot in Australia. Deemed “too slow” by a lot of scouts in the Dominican, this 6'5” 210 pound right-handed pull hitter will more than likely make one of Australia's best designated hitters.


Thomas Dike (C), Melbourne: He's only 18, he'll start out by learning in the reserves, but this one has it all. Not built like a catcher, at 5'11” 165 pounds, so a position change might be seen if his body doesn't hold up. Not fast, can't bunt, but his hitting is projected to pan out if he keeps up his current pace. Won't effect this season, but will effect many other seasons down the road.


Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (RF), Adelaide: He covers a lot of ground in right field. Very fast. His left-handed pull swing, however, just might be the most lethal weapon in all of Australia. The 24 year old earns his nickname “The Dragon” because of the big tattoo of a dragon's face on his back.


Kareem Ritch (CL), New Zealand Outsiders: The 27 year old closer has the stamina to throw all day, but believed to be best fit for a closing role despite his consistency and mental toughness in big pressure situations under question. With all of that aside, he is armed with a fastball, changeup, and a curveball. Throws in the low 90's, but has good control and electric stuff.

[The Just]

I'm going to do a more in-depth business approach to this dynasty. I have always been huge in following business, advertising strategy and patterns, and ways companies run themselves. I'll do these monthly recaps under the name “Underbelly,” an in-depth look at everything from a business and marketing standpoint.



UNDERBELLY: The inside information on Australian Rules Baseball for October 2008




IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE:

• Single table rankings / Business / Top players
• Salary cap crisis
• How to market to Australians? Pain.
• Free Beer Day: What could this mean for baseball in Australia, as well as other promotional events in the world of sports?
• The month that was

The very first month of ARB is a surprising and visually appealing success. The drive for baseball specific stadiums really seems to of helped the team, with the ARB Board of Directors making it known that they refused to rent. It has already paid off a lot quicker than most would suspect. Fans are closer together, stadiums are full, and the lack of empty seats looks better on television.


The ARB has decided to make a number of things known to the public regarding the progress of their business. They keep a close on on the teams and their market, using some kind of secret mathematical formula to calculate “fan interest.” They will be releasing monthly statements regarding each team.


It should also be noted that every team's “fan interest” started at a 5. These ratings are out of 100.



SINGLE TABLE RANKINGS THROUGH OCTOBER 2008 / BUSINESS / TOP PLAERS


1. Adelaide: 17-10
Fan Interest: 68
Total Attendance: 103,645
Avg. Attendance: 7,973 (8,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Geronimo Cordes (2B/3B/SS), .421
HR: Gilbert “Amazing” Sternberg (3B) AND Geronimo Cordes (2B/3B/SS), 9.
RBI: George Lopez (LF), 26
SB: George Lopez (LF) AND Geronimo Cordes (2B/3B/SS) AND Javier Espada (CF/RF), 2.
OPS: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), 1.184
ERA: RHP James Smith (SP), 3.40
W: RHP Karl Keese (SP) AND RHP Bernard Sequeira (SP) AND RHP Roger Williams (SP), 3
SV: RHP Avelino Lugo (CL), 8
SO: RHP James Smith (SP), 37


2. New Zealand Outsiders: 16-11
Fan Interest: 69
Total Attendance: 85,101
Avg. Attendance: 5,673 (5,700)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Fred Robin (LF, RF), .398
HR: Ronald Schulz (RF), 10
RBI: Ronald Schulz (RF), 26
SB: Fred Robin (LF, RF), 11
OPS: Jon Nolan (CF), .966
ERA: RHO Javier Ciles (SP), 3.41
W: RHP Josef “The Hammer” Cunningham (SP), 4
SV: RHP Kareem Ritch (CL), 8
SO: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 28


3. Sydney Premiers: 13-14
Fan Interest: 69
Total Attendance: 184,158
Avg. Attendance: 14,166 (14,200)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Mark Mote (RF), .414
HR: Gregg Martin (3B), 11
RBI: Gregg Martin (3B), 29
SB: Millard Bennett (CF, LF), 5
OPS: Mark Mote (RF), 1.143
ERA: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 3.14
W: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 4
SV: RHP Cristian Gonzalez (RP) AND RHP Luis Lanza (CL), 2
SO: RHP Robert Dahlgren (SP), 38


4. Brisbane: 12-15
Fan Interest: 67
Total Attendance: 146,519
Avg. Attendance: 11,271 (11,300)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Tomas Dueno (2B/3B/SS), .304
HR: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 10
RBI: Fransisco Sousa (2B), 18
SB: Curtis Thomas (2B/3B/SS) AND Tommy Fisher (CF) AND Leon Linehan (LF/RF), 4
OPS: Leon Lineham (LF/RF), .969
ERA: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 4.38
W: RHP Kenneth Hendershot (SP), 3
SV: RHP John Finch (CL), 7
SO: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 31


5. Perth: 12-15
Fan Interest: 67
Total Attendance: 88,090
Avg. Attendance: 6,776 (6,800)
Ticket Price: $13


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Franklin Pearson (2B/3B), .302
HR: Hugh “Bones” Mollett (2B/SS), 8
RBI: Andrew Seybert (3B), 24
SB: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, 6
OPS: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, .966
ERA: RHP Norman McLemore (SP), 3.52
W: LHP Oscar Duty (SP) AND RHP Abraham Diez (SP) AND LHP Adam Roberts (RP), 2
SV: RHP Franky Torres (CL), 2
SO: LHP Oscar Duty (SP), 40


6. Melbourne: 11-16
Fan Interest: 66
Total Attendance: 223,738
Avg. Attendance: 15,981 (16,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Ronnie May (2B), .340
HR: Alfonso Mijangos (1B/DH), 8
RBI: Alfonso Mijangos (1B/DH) AND George Ryles (LF/RF) AND John Cargile (3B/2B), 21
SB: Mark Lococo (RF/LF), 7
OPS: Christopher Cummins (CF/RF), .978
ERA: RHP Claude Stehle (SP), 2.08
W: LHP Jose Acha (SP), 3
SV: RHP Chigemi Atsushi (CL), 4
SO: LHP Wayne Moser (SP), 44



Salary Cap Crisis


The ARB Board of Directors tried to keep this secret. For a good year or so, they have acted all-powerful and all-knowing. That was very charming to see a league so young move around with the arrogance of the National Football League, yet still connect with the common man.


When the board announced that every team would be capped at $6,000,000 AUD, they meant it. After all, they weeded out potential owners, forced owners to build baseball specific stadiums and already have a plan to do so before even qualifying, and managed to bully media outlets in giving them television and newspaper coverage. A very ambition, yet a very ruthless and aggressive bunch of people who run the ARB.


After all, it must take a lot of ruthlessness and ambition to try and market baseball in a country that has had cricket for quiet awhile.


Which comes as a shock that their salary cap is flawed. It is rumored that many teams have grossly exceeded this cap, yet nobody has made any salaries known to the public. Issues regarding salary, both team and individual, have been talked behind closed doors. Tons of rumors flying around, but the general idea amongst a lot of people are that all six teams didn't even acknowledge the cap and went out throwing their money around.


Some say a union put pressure on teams, but there hasn't even been a strong well-organized union set up for the players yet. Everyone will need to get on the same page before this all unravels into a huge mess. Whatever, and whenever, it gets to the press, this won't look very pretty.



How to market to Australians? Pain.


Let the bodies hit the floor.


Baseball is a tougher sport than most realize. A sport of outlaws, where vigilante justice reigns supreme. While we have yet to see any intentional hit-by-pitch scenarios, Australia has seen two HBP incidents that proved to be very gruesome. A line drive off of a fielder's head drove the point home – this isn't a wussy sport, and you Aussies just might enjoy this.


18 year old Adelaide 1B prospect Daniel Fortuna was hit by a pitch, broke his hand, and was put out for eight weeks. The very next day, Adelaide catcher Wayne Rouse would get a broken finger and would be put out for four to five weeks from an HBP.


36 year old New Zealand 2B Luther Clark wasn't so lucky, receiving a broken wrist from a HBP that has put him out for the rest of the season.


Brisbane catcher David Diaz went to block the plate, only to get run down and have his skull fractured. It would put him out for seven weeks.


Melbourne's young right-handed starting pitcher Jason Owens showed a lot of grit as he took a line drive off of his chin, and managed to walk off of the field on his own. He was listed as day-to-day with a bruised jaw, and nothing else.


Australians have learned quickly that this isn't a sport to write off since it doesn't have the consistent hard-hitting action that rugby or Australian rules football has, with all of the incidents mentioned above invading the sports highlights.



Free Beer Day: What could this mean for baseball in Australia, as well as other promotional events in the world of sports?


Perth baseball is known as The Home of the Bell, where a big Liberty Bell-style bell stands amongst all and rings throughout five times before the game. Perth is five games out of first, sporting a 12-15 record. While baseball's popularity has followed with the rest of the country in Perth, winning ways and getting fans to be with them through the whole game is what they wish to fix.


The answer? Free Beer Day on November 29^th vs. Melbourne.


“I don't think we've had trouble making ourselves heard the whole game,” said a member of the Hell's Bells support group that sells little bells outside the stadium before games. “We come to the game, we sing and yell, we ring our bells, we do a good job. It's not our fault the team isn't winning.”


“But I won't complain about free beer,” the supporter admitted.


Free Beer Day will be held on the 50^th birthday of ARB founder and head of it's Board of Directors, Wallie Finkleman. Last year, Wallie was celebrating his 49^th as the ARB was in it's fetus stage. Now he might be tempted to celebrate it at The Home of the Bell.


“It sounds like a lot of fun, and I'll absolutely be there,” said Finkleman. “But I will call for the Perth baseball club to be careful and use extra security on this night.”


The Perth baseball club will be taking precautions. More security than usual, limits on how much everyone can drink, and will even go as far as to check people before they leave. They promise checks to be quick, and want to make it a fun experience without anyone getting hurt or out of control.


“We wants fans to get into this,” said a Perth spokesman. “We want them to enjoy the beer, get really loud, bring their bells, and just have a fun time. We hope Wallie [Finkleman] comes and has a great birthday.”


The beer will be supplied by Cooper's Brewery, the sponsors of the regular season Australian Trophy.



The month that was


October 9^th – Adelaide's 3B John Rathburn gets five hits and two RBI's in a game vs. Melbourne at the Adelaide Baseball Field.


October 11^th – The Player of the Week Award went to CF Steve Largent (Sydney Premiers). He batted .556 in 18 at-bats, hitting one homer and driving in six RBI.


October 14^th – Brisbane 1B Michael Smith crushed four home runs in a single game against Melbourne, one of them in the 12^th in Brisbane's dramatic 10-8 home victory.


October 18^th – The Player of the Week Award went to LF Fred Robin (New Zealand Outsiders). He hit .500 in 36 AB, with two HR and ten RBI.


October 28^th – Brisbane SS Curtis Thomas drove in eight RBI in his team's 17-10 road win against New Zealand.


November 1^st – 2B Tomas Dueno (Brisbane) won Player of the Week, hitting .519 in 27 AB, with one HR and 5 RBI.


RF Mark Monte (Sydney Premiers) won October Batter of the Month. He hit .414 in 111 AB, hitting seven HR and with 20 RBI.


LHP Edgar Villanueva (Syndey Premiers) won October Pitcher of the Month. He went 4-2 in six games, with an ERA of 3.14.

[Kelric]

I wish the Red Sox would have a Free Beer Day. I would just hope they don't do it when the Yankees are in town, that would get ugly (well, uglier than any Yankee/Sox game is already).

[The Just]

UNDERBELLY: The inside information on Australian Rules Baseball for November 2008




IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE:

• Single table rankings / Business / Top players
• Free Beer Day – Success?
• “Watch the face man” - Two very graphic scenes resulting from HBP's.
• ARB looks at minor league system
• The month that was

SINGLE TABLE RANKINGS THROUGH OCTOBER 2008 / BUSINESS / TOP PLAERS


1. New Zealand Outsiders: 32-23
Fan Interest: 72
Total Attendance: 153,159
Avg. Attendance: 5,673 (5,700)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Fred Robin (LF, RF), .343
HR: Buford Burrow (3B), 21
RBI: Ronald Schulz (RF), 49
SB: Fred Robin (LF, RF), 17
OPS: Buford Burrow (3B), 1.019
ERA: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 3.71
W: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 8
SV: RHP Kareem Ritch (CL), 14
SO: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 64


2. Adelaide: 30-25
Fan Interest: 76
Total Attendance: 231,221
Avg. Attendance: 7,973 (8,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), .359
HR: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF) AND George Lopez (LF), 14
RBI: George Lopez (LF), 44
SB: Javier Espada (CF/RF), 8
OPS: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), 1.135
ERA: RHP Christopher Hensen (SP), 4.13
W: RHP Karl Keesee (SP), 6
SV: RHP Avelino Lugo (CL), 15
SO: RHP James Smith (SP), 78


3. Brisbane: 30-25
Fan Interest: 72
Total Attendance: 315,614
Avg. Attendance: 11,272 (11,300)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Tomas Dueno (2B/3B/SS), .309
HR: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 26
RBI: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 49
SB: Curtis Thomas (2B/3B/SS), 10
OPS: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 1.022
ERA: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 3.04
W: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 7
SV: RHP John Finch (CL), 17
SO: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 63


4. Sydney Premiers: 29-26
Fan Interest: 74
Total Attendance: 368,427
Avg. Attendance: 14,170 (14,200)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Mark Mote (RF), .401
HR: Gregg Martin (3B), 16
RBI: Gregg Martin (3B), 45
SB: Millard Bennett (CF, LF), 10
OPS: Mark Mote (RF), 1.137
ERA: LHP Amadis Cataldo (SP), 3.33
W: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 6
SV: RHP Luis Lanza (CL), 9
SO: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP) AND RHP Osvaldo Cruz (SP), 58


5. Perth Bellsman: 23-32
Fan Interest: 63
Total Attendance: 189,826
Avg. Attendance: 6,780 (6,800)
Ticket Price: $13


TEAM NOTE – They have started going under the name “Bellsman” after a local newspaper referred to them as such. It just happened to catch on.


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Oscar Fabiano (CF) AND Joseph Oliveira (RF/CF), .280
HR: Hugh “Bones” Mollett (2B/SS), 14
RBI: Andrew Seybert (3B), 41
SB: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, 9
OPS: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, .949
ERA: RHP Abraham Diez (SP), 3.38
W: LHP Adam Roberts (RP) AND RHP Normal McLemore (SP), 4
SV: RHP Franky Torres (CL), 9
SO: LHP Oscar Duty (SP), 62


6. Melbourne: 21-34
Fan Interest: 67
Total Attendance: 431,451
Avg. Attendance: 15,980 (16,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Ronnie May (2B), .345
HR: Alfonso Mijangos (1B/DH), 13
RBI: George Ryles (LF/RF), 43
SB: Mark Lococo (RF/LF), 15
OPS: Ronnie May (2B), .996
ERA: RHP Claude Stehle (SP), 3.45
W: RHP Edward “Scimitar” Hayes (SP) AND LHP Jose Acha (SP) AND RHP Claude Stehle (SP), 4
SV: RHP Chigemi Atsushi (CL), 6
SO: LHP Wayne Moser (SP), 90




Free Beer Day – Success?


After seeing the atmosphere, and seeing the promotion go off without anyone making a fool of themselves or any trouble with people leaving the stadium, Free Beer Day is considered a success by many. The other five teams view it as a success, and it's believed that they might actually copy Perth.


“If they copy us, then whatever,” said Perth owner Xavier Ellison. “We were the originals, and if they copy us that means that we must've had one hell of an idea. It's good for the league, and it's good for promoting this great sport in Australia.”


It was a concept that intrigued many, and opened the doors for the Cooper's Brewery to further their partnership with the ARB. November 29^th, 2008 also happened to be Wallie Finkleman's birthday, who was at The Home of the Bell after being publicly invited to Free Beer Day.


Other fans claimed that the Bellsman were trying to kiss up to ARB's Board of Directors leader. Perth fans were just excited that their very loud and often found as annoying bell ringing and chants would be complemented with free alcoholic beverages.


Perth and Melbourne set to do battle, both teams struggling at the bottom of the table. Once the third inning finished, the score tied at 2-2, a 54 minute rain delay interrupted the action on the field. The action in the crowd picked up. Fans chanted, danced, rang their bells, and enjoy their free beer despite the long rain delay. It certainly was a special atmosphere, and who would've ever thought that a rain delay could help it?


The crowd of 6,799, exactly one less of a sellout, were apart of what could have been their highlight of the season. In the bottom of the seventh, down 6-5 to Melbourne, LF Foster Dealba came up with two on and one out. In one mighty swing of the bat, he crushed a hanging changeup off of 34 year old lefty reliever Ron Fetter.


The three run blast put Perth ahead 8-6, sent the crowd into raptures as loud as any 40,000+ crowd, and was all the Bellsman needed to win. It was certainly the best night in Perth baseball in it's very short history, in a season that sees them struggling.




“Watch the face man” - Two very graphic scenes resulting from HBP's.


In Brisbane's 9-4 victory at the Adelaide Baseball Field, two gruesome occurrences saw Brisbane players getting plunked by erratic pitches.


Back-to-back, Adelaide right-handed starter Christopher Hensen lost his control and caught CF Tommy Fisher right square in the nose with a changeup on the inside that forgot to change. It fractured Fisher's nose, he was taken out, but would continue on the next few days with a facemask.


The very next batter was the ninth hitter, C Columbus Emmer. Another changeup on the inside that forgot to change, and Emmer went of holding his left eye. It was announced that he had a scratched cornea, and would be out for 1-2 weeks.


“I don't know what to say,” said Hensen after the game. “It was a horrible day for me, and I feel even worse for Fisher and Emmer than I do for by 5.2 inning game. I can only hope to forget about this game, remember how to throw changeups, and have a better game next time.”


After the two HBP's were shown on many sports highlight shows for about a week, Hensen pitched 7.1 IP at home vs. Sydney, but the Premiers came back later on the game to win 6-5 and disallow a win for Hensen. He went 8 IP at Perth, but reliever Eduardo Castro and closer Avelino Lugo coughed the game up in the 9^th and Perth won 6-3.


Hensen finally picked up a win against New Zealand after throwing 6 IP in a 6-5 victory at home. “It feels like the nightmare is finally over,” said Hensen after the game against the Outsiders.




ARB looks at minor league system


After the draft in May, all six teams found themselves with plenty of reserves. With these excess players sitting on a reserves list, and plenty of other players already signing up for the combine trials that start in January, the Board of Directors are already planning a minor league system that is expected to take place next year.


There will be three levels, much like the setup used in the United States. Level One is the bottom of this totem pole, Level Two sandwiched in the middle, and Level Three being the final step just before the main level.


“We have taken a look at the reserves list on each team, and it's quiet shocking that these guys aren't playing any baseball,” said ARB founder Wallie Finkleman. “They get coaching, they go through the training, but they just rot on the reserves. That doesn't help the advancement of these players if they don't play in actual games.”


The 2009 ARB Draft will see ten rounds, serpentine-style. It's expected that more will try out in the combine, and that there will be plenty of undrafted players who can get snapped up in free agency afterwards.




The month that wasNovember 7^th – 30 year old right-handed start Osvaldo Cruz gives a solid 3-hit shutout vs. Perth as Sydney goes on to win 8-0 at Premier State Field.

On the same day, Brisbane's 36 year old power hitting SS Curtis Thomas slammed a 489 foot home run to left field. There was one on in Brisbane's four-run 11^th inning on the road at the Adelaide Baseball Field. Thomas already hit a solo home run earlier in the 3^rd. Brisbane beat Adelaide 11-7 in 11 innings.

November 8^th – The Player of the Week went to C Diego Velazquez (New Zealand Outsiders). He hit .619 in 21 AB, 4 HR and 10 RBI.

November 10^th – Brisbane 1B Michael Smith hit three home runs in Adelaide. Brisbane won 9-4.

November 15^th – Michael Smith's amazing week was honored with Player of the Week. He hit .391 in 23AB, 7 HR and 12 RBI.

November 17^th – An amazing night for the New Zealand Outsiders as they picked up an 11-0 win on the road against Brisbane. 3B Buford Burrow hit for the cycle in Bank of Queensland© Stadium. Not only that, but Outsiders RHP Josef “The Hammer” Cunningham pitched a 3-hit shutout.

November 18^th – Melbourne's 34 year old LHP Jose Acha pitched a 3-hit shutout at home vs. Adelaide in a 10-0 win.

November 22^nd – 3B “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg (Adelaide) won Player of the Week. Amazing Gil hit .524 in 21 AB, 2 HR and 9 RBI.

November 29^th – LF George Ryles (Melbourne) was Player of the Week. He hit .423 in 26 AB, 2 HR and 9 RBI.

December 1^st – Starting lefty Robert Harrison (Brisbane) was named Pitcher of the Month. He went 5-1 in six games, with a 1.70 ERA.

The Batter of the Month went to 1B Michael Smith (Brisbane). He hit .273 in 110 AB, hitting 16 HR and 32 RBI.

[The Just]

UNDERBELLY: The inside information on Australian Rules Baseball for December 2008




IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE:

• Single table rankings / Business / Top players
• Australia invites players from all over
• Salary cap under fire, teams willing to pay price, expansion connection involved
• The month that was

SINGLE TABLE RANKINGS THROUGH OCTOBER 2008 / BUSINESS / TOP PLAERS


1. Adelaide: 48-33
Fan Interest: 80
Total Attendance: 326,938
Avg. Attendance: 7,974 (8,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), .345
HR: “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg (3B), 21
RBI: “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg (3B), 62
SB: Vincent Hsu (2B/3B/SS), 13
OPS: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), 1.068
ERA: RHP Karl Keesee (SP), 4.46
W: RHP Karl Keesee (SP), 9
SV: RHP Avelino Lugo (CL), 25
SO: RHP James Smith (SP), 110


2. Brisbane: 42-39
Fan Interest: 78
Total Attendance: 473,483
Avg. Attendance: 11,273 (11,300)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Leon Linehan (LF/RF), .342
HR: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 36
RBI: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 77
SB: Curtis Thomas (2B/3B/SS), 17
OPS: Leon Linehan (LF/RF), 1.128
ERA: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 4.19
W: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 9
SV: RHP John Finch (CL), 21
SO: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 94


3. New Zealand Outsiders: 41-40
Fan Interest: 77
Total Attendance: 226,924
Avg. Attendance: 5,673 (5,700)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Fred Robin (LF/RF), .312
HR: Buford Burrow (3B), 24
RBI: Ronald Schulz (RF), 70
SB: Fred Robin (LF/RF), 23
OPS: Fred Robin (LF/RF), .978
ERA: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 3.12
W: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 11
SV: RHP Kareem Ritch (CL), 19
SO: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 100


4. Sydney Premiers: 39-42
Fan Interest: 84
Total Attendance: 552,701
Avg. Attendance: 14,172 (14,200)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Mark Mote (RF), .364
HR: Gregg Martin(3B), 21
RBI: Robert Meyer (2B/3B), 62
SB: Millard Bennett (CF, LF), 14
OPS: Mark Mote (RF), 1.042
ERA: LHP Amadis Cataldo (SP), 3.40
W: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 8
SV: RHP Luis Lanza (CL), 12
SO: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 87


5. Perth Bellsman: 37-44
Fan Interest: 61
Total Attendance: 271,100
Avg. Attendance: 6,778 (6,800)
Ticket Price: $13


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Joseph Oliveira (RF/CF), .294
HR: Hugh “Bones” Mollett (2B/SS), 22
RBI: Hugh “Bones” Mollett (2B/SS), 70
SB: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, 13
OPS: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, .995
ERA: RHP Abraham Diez (SP), 3.63
W: LHP Oscar Duty (SP), 6
SV: RHP Franky Torres (CL), 16
SO: LHP Oscar Duty (SP), 86


6. Melbourne: 36-45
Fan Interest: 65
Total Attendance: 644,072
Avg. Attendance: 15,977 (16,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Ronnie May (2B), .335
HR: Alfonso Mijangos (1B/DH) AND John Cargile (3B/2B), 19
RBI: John Cargile (3B/2B), 61
SB: Mark Lococo (RF/LF), 22
OPS: John Cargile (3B/2B), 1.034
ERA: RHP Claude Stehle (SP), 3.38
W: RHP Edward “Scimitar” Hayes (SP), 8
SV: RHP Chigemi Atsushi (CL), 9
SO: LHP Wayne Moser (SP), 143



Australia invites players from all over


Australian Rules Baseball has released an invitation to players of all ages, shapes, and sizes from all over the world to attend the ARB combine trials that start up in January. After having many players from Latin America, Asia, and North America show up and test themselves and take a shot at Aussie baseball last year, the ARB wishes to invite anyone who thinks they can play ball to come and try out.


“I've said it before, I'll say it again,” started Wallie Finkleman. “We're young, we may not have the best players in the world at this point, but we're looking for the toughest. We're looking for players with grit and determination. In Australia, we admire that. If you're fat, short, skinny, whatever build your body is, we don't care as long as you can play.”


“This is a league with a lot of character, and a lot of backgrounds,” he added. “We wish to open our doors and invite anyone to our combines. From eighteen years old to infinity years old.”


The ARB combine lasts from January to the draft in May.



Salary cap under fire, teams willing to pay price, expansion connection involved


After getting almost everything down, the ARB has really messed up the salary cap. “It's so bad, we might have to totally redo the structure of league salaries,” said Wallie Finkleman.


The cap was set at $6,000,000 AUD. To put it lightly, the team with the lowest payroll, the Perth Bellsman, are at $62,324,125 AUD.


“I don't know how all of these teams managed to slip through like that. This is very embarassing to say the least,” admitted Finkleman. “No offense to Brisbane's Leon Linehan, but I find it absolutely daft that someone could get $18,570,000 before playing any professional baseball. We were suppose to be a young, humble upstart and yet we already have salaries like that. Befuddling...”


Nobody knows exactly what went wrong despite teams ignoring the cap. After the ARB Board of Directors held so much power for over a year, this comes back to hit them in the face. But they plan dealing with this, and quick.


“Every team will have to pay a luxury tax to the league depending on how much they're over the cap,” declared Finkleman. “In turn, we'll take that money and look at using it to aid expansion teams. We're already looking to put a team in the Northern Territory, but haven't decided on the other location. We have a year or two to figure that out.”



The month that was


December 4^th – Melbourne's lefty starter Wayne Moser went 9 IP and struck out 15 in a 3-0 home win vs. New Zealand in front of 15,997 at Winstow Park.


December 6^th – RF Ronald Schulz won Player of the Week. He hit .400 in 20 AB, 3 HR and 9 RBI.


December 10^th - New Zealand Outsiders right-handed starter Richard Gholston pitched a two-hit complete game. New Zealand won at home against Sydney, 8-0.


December 13^th – 3B “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg (Adelaide) won Player of the Week. Amazing Gil hit .619 in 21 AB, 5 HR and 11 RBI.


December 17^th – Melbourne players C Alfonso Vina, CF Christopher Cummins, and LF George Ryles were all walked four times each in a game. Melbourne still lost at home to Perth, 12-8.


December 20^th – LF Leon Linehan (Brisbane) won Player of the Week. He hit .480 in 25 AB, 3 HR and 9 RBI.


December 27^th - LF Leon Linehan (Brisbane) won Player of the Week. He hit .458 in 24 AB, 3 HR and 10 RBI.


*******************************
I had the “ Australia invites players from all over” article for a reason. If you wish to create your player and enter them into the draft pool, now is the time to do it. If you're a little late, you can still spill into the free agency pool.


If you wish to make a position player, please give: Position, first/last name as well as a nickname if any, throwing arm/batting side, and where your guy is from. They could be from Australia, US, Germany, hell... the Congo. I don't care.


For a pitcher: If they are a SP/RP/CL, which hand they throw with, first/last name with a nickname if any, and of course... we're they are from. If you want them to throw certain types of pitches, you can include that.


If you have any specific number you want, feel free to include that.

[The Just]

UNDERBELLY: The inside information on Australian Rules Baseball for January/February 2009




IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE:

• Single table rankings / Business / Top players
• Cooper's Brewery© Australian Trophy Winners: Adelaide 2008/2009 Season Review
• Suncorp© Outback Classic Preview: Adelaide vs. New Zealand Outsiders
• The month that was

SINGLE TABLE RANKINGS THROUGH FEBRUARY 2009 / BUSINESS / TOP PLAERS


1. Adelaide: 62-48
Fan Interest: 81
Total Attendance: 428,663
Avg. Attendance: 7,975 (8,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), .356
HR: “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg (3B), 26
RBI: “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg (3B), 87
SB: Vincent Hsu (2B/3B/SS), 25
OPS: Millard “The Dragon” Wagers (LF), 1.088
ERA: RHP Bernard Sequeira (SP), 3.98
W: RHP Karl Keesee (SP), 10
SV: RHP Avelino Lugo (CL), 29
SO: RHP James Smith (SP), 137


2. New Zealand Outsiders: 59-51
Fan Interest: 78
Total Attendance: 312,115
Avg. Attendance: 5,675 (5,700)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Ronald Schulz (RF), .313
HR: Ronald Schulz (RF), 31
RBI: Ronald Schulz (RF), 91
SB: Fred Robin (LF/RF), 29
OPS: Ronald Schulz (RF), .993
ERA: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 3.32
W: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 13
SV: RHP Kareem Ritch (CL), 30
SO: RHP Richard Gholston (SP), 129


3. Brisbane: 55-55
Fan Interest: 70
Total Attendance: 619,996
Avg. Attendance: 11,273 (11,300)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Leon Linehan (LF/RF), .367
HR: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 44
RBI: Michael Smith (1B/DH), 99
SB: Curtis Thomas (2B/3B/SS), 21
OPS: Leon Linehan (LF/RF), 1.175
ERA: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 4.30
W: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 11
SV: RHP John Finch (CL), 28
SO: LHP Robert Harrison (SP), 129


4. Sydney Premiers: 53-57
Fan Interest: 79
Total Attendance: 779,534
Avg. Attendance: 14,173 (14,200)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Mark Mote (RF), .336
HR: Gregg Martin(3B) AND Tyree Loughran (LF/DH), 27
RBI: Robert Meyer (2B/3B), 81
SB: Millard Bennett (CF, LF), 14
OPS: Mark Mote (RF), .984
ERA: LHP Amadis Cataldo (SP), 4.09
W: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 12
SV: RHP Luis Lanza (CL), 16
SO: LHP Edgar Villanueva (SP), 117


5. Melbourne: 51-59
Fan Interest: 61
Total Attendance: 878,656
Avg. Attendance: 15,976 (16,000)
Ticket Price: $13 AUD


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: John Cargile (3B/2B), .323
HR: Alfonso Mijangos (1B/DH), 25
RBI: John Cargile (3B/2B), 100
SB: Mark Lococo (RF/LF), 35
OPS: John Cargile (3B/2B), 1.012
ERA: LHP Wayne Moser (SP), 3.52
W: RHP Edward “Scimitar” Hayes (SP) AND LHP Jose Acha (SP), 11
SV: RHP Chigemi Atsushi (CL), 12
SO: LHP Wayne Moser (SP), 193


6. Perth Bellsman: 50-60
Fan Interest: 51
Total Attendance: 372,694
Avg. Attendance: 6,776 (6,800)
Ticket Price: $13


Top Players (so far this season)
AVG: Oscar Fabiano (DH/CF), .291
HR: Hugh “Bones” Mollett (2B/SS), 27
RBI: Hugh “Bones” Mollett (2B/SS), 96
SB: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, 16
OPS: Hugh “Bones” Mollett, .971
ERA: RHP Abraham Diez (SP), 4.09
W: LHP Oscar Duty (SP), 8
SV: RHP Franky Torres (CL), 24
SO: LHP Oscar Duty (SP), 116



Cooper's Brewery© Australian Trophy Winners: Adelaide 2008/2009 Season Review


They say that home is where the heart is. In the case of the Adelaide baseball club, that theory may be put under test. With a home record of 27-28, if you were to just look at the statistic you wouldn't think that they would go on to be Australian Trophy holders.


Their 35-20 record on the road garnered them a bit of a “road warriors” moniker considering they had much better success on the road than at home. Nobody in the Adelaide clubhouse lets these stats get in their head, because every game is the same to them.


“You can win any game and you could lose any game,” said the intriguing character known as Millard “The Dragon” Wagers, Adelaide's man in right field. “We don't let our record at home and on the road effect our mentality. It's simple. We want to win as much games as possible, just like everyone else. Nothing new in sports.”


Wagers was joined by “Amazing” Gilbert Sternberg in Adelaide's offensive assault. Wagers, batting third in the order, has often been described as having the most lethal weapon in Australia regarding his left-handed swing. Inside and at his head, down by his knees, away from him, he manages to turn his body in a split second and slam the ball.


“It's unreal,” said hitting coach Steven Dodge. “I think he hits bad pitches better than Vlad Guerrero. I remember earlier in the year where a pitch, think it was a fastball, slipped away from the target inside and went for his head. Dragon turned on it and sent it deep to right. It's such a fluent motion, and he does it so quickly.”


Amazing Gil, the switch hitting third baseman, has followed up Wagers all year. The tandem has been billed as the best back-to-back in ARB.


With a team batting average of .282 and scoring more runs than anyone in Australia, the team has a 4.90 ERA, third best in Australia. Pitching had always been shaky, but it hasn't bothered Adelaide too much.


“The team with the best overall ERA is Melbourne with 4.60,” said pitching coach Bill McKinney. “I think we're good compared to the rest of the league in pitching. We won the Australian Trophy after all, and I think the pitching can hold up in a playoff.”


Adelaide aims for The Double, capping off the first season of Australian Rules Baseball under their dominance. But if they wish to win The Double, they need to get through New Zealand first...



Suncorp© Outback Classic Preview: Adelaide vs. New Zealand Outsiders


When Australian Rules Baseball was announced in the summer of 2007, it was assumed that six baseball teams would be set up in Australia. It turned out to be only five, but there were still six teams. That odd ball team was New Zealand, an entire country being represented against five Australian cities.


Like the elephant in the room, their fans were quick to announce themselves as “The Outsiders.” They proudly claim themselves as Outsiders, like a badge of honor. Their odd looking stadium, a field surrounded by a giant wall, makes their stadium one of the most unique in the world.


Them and Adelaide traded the number one spot, only for Adelaide to pull ahead and claim the Australian Trophy. But there still is a chance to salvage the season and come out with a championship. Jere comes the Outback Classic.


The best-of-seven series complements the Australian Trophy, appealing to fans who love playoffs as well as those who enjoy single table rankings.


Each and every minute of the action will be covered by the Seven Network, one of the best in sports presentation in Australia. Rick Danielson and Chip McCoy will call the action. Here is the schedule for the Suncorp© Outback Classic.


GAME ONE (Sun., Feb. 7th): New Zealand @ Adelaide
GAME TWO (Mon., Feb. 8th): New Zealand @ Adelaide
GAME THREE (Wed., Feb. 10th): Adelaide @ New Zealand
GAME FOUR (Thurs., Feb. 11th): Adelaide @ New Zealand
*GAME FIVE (Fri.., Feb. 12th): Adelaide @ New Zealand
*GAME SIX (Sun., Feb. 14th): New Zealand @ Adelaide
*GAME SEVEN (Mon., Feb. 15th): New Zealand @ Adelaide


The two teams have faced each other twenty-two times this past season, and both of them have split the season with each other at eleven wins a piece.



The months that were


January 3^rd – RF Tyler Burnam (Brisbane) won Player of the Week. He hit .474 in 19 AB, 2 HR and 11 RBI.


January 8^th – Right-handed start Claude Stehle of Brisbane pitched a three-hit shutout at home vs. Perth in a 7-0 victory.


January 10^th – The Player of the Week was C Pedro Jimenez (Sydney Premiers). He hit .429 in 21 AB, 4 HR and 9 RBI.


January 17^th – The Player of the Week went to LF Leon Linehan (Brisbane). He hit .455 in 25 AB, 3 HR and 5 RBI.


On the same day, Perth shortstop Hugh “Bones” Mollett hit a 483 foot HR at home in a 14-12 loss to New Zealand.


January 24^th – SS Hugh “Bones” Mollett (Perth Bellsman) won Player of the Week. He hit .565 in 23 AB, 5 HR and 15 RBI.


January 28^th – Adelaide 2B/DH Vincent Hsu hit three home runs in a single game in an 11 inning road victory against Perth, 9-8.


On the same day, 2B Robert Meyer hit six times as his Sydney Premiers would win a 13 inning road match against Melbourne, 4-3.


February 1^st – 2B/DH Vincent Hsu won Player of the Week. He hit .407 in 27 AB, 4 HR and 9 RBI.

[bucketsndimes]

Very interesting. I sort of just skimmed through it, but I look forward to more.