Almanac Baseball: ABL Talking Points

On the cusp of a new season of the Australian Baseball League, I thought I would run through a few of the talking points:

• The two-conference, eight-team format gets another run after the debut season last year;
• The semi-finals will be split between the two competing teams with both getting the chance to host games like the Championship Series format;
• Kayo Sports will broadcast Thursday night games in New Zealand under licence from Sky Sports but the Auckland Tuatara will shorten these games to seven innings;
• The ABL YouTube channel will continue to live stream most the games played in Australia;
• The Adelaide team is no longer called the Bite, but are now the Giants;
• As has been the case in recent years, there a few MLB prospects to watch for this season;
• In terms of group deals, the Perth Heat have seven players on their roster from the Tampa Rays system while the Melbourne Aces have four players coming across from the top tier Japanese league.

So that’s a snapshot of the buzz around the upcoming season. Hopefully, we get some great games and the debutantes from last season, Geelong and Auckland, can be more competitive this year.

Summer is all about bat and ball for me. I am really looking forward to the double helping of Test cricket with the series against New Zealand, particularly, promising so much. I’ve been going to Boxing Day for almost three decades and finally get to see our cousins across the ditch on the big stage.

While most Almanackers no doubt will be fixing their gaze on willow on leather, spare some time if you can for the maple on cowhide variety. You won’t be disappointed.

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

The Tigers Almanac 2019 is out soon.
Order copies HERE.

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Grew up playing the rugby codes in suburban Sydney. Moved to Melbourne during the Carey era so becoming a Shinboner was the natural call. Still love the game they play in heaven. Took an interest in MLB a few years back and have become infatuated with America's pastime.

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