Six MLA's pledge their support for the 'Let's do it Canberra' bid

 The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid has once again secured the support of high profile locals with Members of the Legislative Assembly pledging their $20 in support of Canberra’s bid to join the Australian Baseball League (ABL).

Representatives from each party today pledged their support for Canberra to compete in the newly formed ABL, joining Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in the inaugural season, due to begin November 2010.

ACT Greens MLA and House Speaker, Shane Rattenbury, says that Canberra’s invitation to join the ABL indicates the emergence of baseball throughout the region.

 ”Baseball is a growing sport in our region and this invitation will only serve to increase the numbers of participants”, Mr Rattenbury said.

“Canberra has already produced some great young players that now compete overseas. If the bid is successful all Canberrans will be able to see these players as well as future stars represent Canberra on the national stage”.

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis, says that securing the support of the MLA’s is indicative of the support the bid has received from the community but urges everyone to follow the lead of the MLA’s and pledge their $20.

“The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid has gained a lot of momentum over the past month and a half with widespread community support” Vassalakis said.

“However we need to convert this support into $20 pledges”.

“Support for the bid will only take us so far and we urge everyone to take action and pledge their $20″, Vassalakis said.

The ABL set the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid a target of 5,000, $20 pledges in addition to $100,000 in corporate sponsorship per annum over three years.

These criteria must be met by the end of September in order for Canberra to qualify for the ABL.