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Junior players will have two chances this weekend to get involved in "Let's do it Canberra" acitivities

The “Let’s do it Canberra” team will be out and about this weekend with two big events planned that will appeal to people of all ages.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” team will be front and center at the first annual Eastlake Football Club Community Fete from 11-3, Kingston Oval,Corner of Canberra Av and Dawes St , Kingston.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” stall will feature an inflatable batting cage where children of all ages can jump in and try their hand in our ‘home run derby.’

Great prizes and giveaways will be on offer so don’t miss out on testing your skill and seeing if you’re Canberra’s next big slugger.

Rebels Baseball Club will be holding their first ‘Try Baseball’ day for the year at North Curtain Oval from 10-12.

‘Try Baseball’ days allow all interested juniors to participate in baseball activities of all types in a free, safe and fun environment without having to register with a local club.

There will be a free BBQ and drinks for any child who participates so head on down and enjoy a fun morning out in the fresh air.

With only two weeks left in Canberra’s bid to become the sixth team in the Australian Baseball League, now is the time to pledge your $20 to support the bid.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” bid has been set the challenge of gaining 5,000, $20 pledges of support from the local community. We must reach our target if we are to have any chance of reaching our goal of participating in the ABL in November, 2010.

ACT's first ever Women's representative team heads to the NSW Country Championships in October

The first ever ACT’s Women’s Representative Baseball team was today announced ahead of the NSW Country Championships, October 3-5 in the Illawarra Region.

This is an exciting prospect for ACT Baseball and its expanding Women’s program and is seen as the first step toward its ultimate goal of participating in the Australian National Women’s Championships.

The announcement of the inaugural ACT Women’s team coincides with the ACT Baseball Association’s ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid to join the Australian Baseball League (ABL), and further shows the strength of baseball within the region.

ACT Women’s representative, Eliza Russell says that this is the most exciting period of her short baseball career.

“This is a very exciting time for baseball in the ACT,” Eliza said.

“The ACT baseball community is quite small but everyone is excited about the Women’s team and the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid.”

ACT Baseball Association President, Theo Vassalakis says that baseball within the region is gaining momentum and urges the Canberra community to support the first ever women’s representative team and the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid.

“Between our ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid to join the ABL and the first ever Women’s representative team, this is an important time for baseball in the region,” He said.

“To see a woman’s team representing the ACT for the first time shows how far the game in the region has come over recent years

“Pledging $20 in support of the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid is not just a pledge for a team in the ABL, it’s a pledge for all baseball in the region.”

The ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid must obtain 5,000, $20 pledges of support in addition to $100,000 per annum over three years in corporate support.

Australia has secured a place in the 2nd round of the 2009 Baseball World Cup by defeating the Czech Republic, Netherlands Antilles and Chinese Taipei as their campaign got underway before going down to Mexico in a battle Group A honours.

Australia were quick to dispose of the Czech Republic and Netherlands Antilles in emphatic style, beating them 17-4 and 19-6 respectivelly.

With qualification to the second round on offer, Australia was to come up against Chinese Taipei.

In a hard fought tussle that could have gone to either team, Australia come out on top against their long time arch rivals 7-5.

Victory against Chinese Taipei meant that Sunday’s game against Mexico would be played for little more than Group A  bragging rights as both teams had already made it to the second stage of the competition.

Despite giving Mexico a five run head start, the Aussies fought back hard to fall just one run short in what was a fantastic arm wrestle against the Central American powerhouse.

Australia’s campaign now moves to Parma, Italy, where they will join Italy, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles and U.S.A. in the second stages of the 2009 World Cup Competition.

Stay tuned for further updates as the World Cup progresses.

Senators Lundy and Humphries pledge their $20 in support of the "Let's do it Canberra" bid

Senators Kate Lundy and Gary Humphries have pledged their support for the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid to join the inaugural season of the Australian Baseball League (ABL), beginning November 2010.

As part of the bid, “Let’s do it Canberra” must obtain 5,000, $20 pledges of support from the Canberra community in addition to raising $100,000 per annum in sponsorship over three years.

Senator Lundy said she was delighted to pledge her $20 in support of the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid and urges all Canberrans to do the same.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to see Canberra compete on the national stage,” Senator Lundy said, adding,

“Having Major League Baseball backing will give the league real credibility world-wide and help raise Canberra’s profile on an international level.”

Senator Humphries said that having a team in the ABL would give Canberra the opportunity to see its best local players in action.

“Canberra has produced many elite baseball players and it would be fantastic to see them represent their home town at a national level,” Humphries said.

“I urge all Canberrans to join with Kate and I and get behind the bid; this is a great opportunity for our local community to showcase ourselves on a national stage.”

ACT Baseball President Theo Vassalakis said gaining support from Senators Lundy and Humphries shows the significance of the opportunity that lies on Canberra’s doorstep.

“For Canberra to compete in the Australian Baseball League will be a dream come true for so many of our younger players,” Vassalakis said.

“We should not deny our current juniors and future generations the opportunity to represent their home town at the highest level possible.

“We can’t rely on the baseball community alone, for us to be successful we need the entire community get behind the ‘Let’s do it Canberra’ bid,” Theo concluded.

Canberra’s own Kevin and Julie Mann took time out from their North American holiday to send the “Let’s do it Canberra” team a few photo’s.

Kevin and Julie traveled to Citi Field to see their beloved New York Mets take on the Chicago Cubs last Friday night.

In a thrilling game, the home team came out eventual 6-3 winners in a result that left the Aussie couple delighted.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” bid would like to thank Kevin and Julie for their support and wish them a happy and safe trip.

If you have any photo’s of yourself or anyone you know wearing a “Let’s do it Canberra” shirt, drop us a line and we’ll do our best to feature you on this website.

The “Let’s do it Canberra” bid has reached its half-way point. With just under four weeks left in Canberra’s bid, there is still plenty of work for the Canberra community to do in order to secure a spot joining Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth as the sixth team in the inaugural season of the Major League Baseball backed Australian Baseball League.

In order for Canberra to qualify for a team in the Australian Baseball League, the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid and the Canberra community must satisfy the following criteria set down by Major League Baseball in the United States:

· Secure support from the ACT Government to bring Narrabundah Baseball Park up to AA standard
· Secure $100,000 per annum over three years in corporate sponsorship
· Secure 5,000, $20 pledges of support from the Canberra community

As the bid reaches the business end, the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid would like to thank the members of the business community who have jumped at the chance, shared our vision and pledged to throw their financial support behind Canberra’s team in the Australian Baseball League.

5 Star Electrical
CMS Insurance
Canberra Catering Equipment and Repair
Southern Plumbing
Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub

Without the support of local business there is doubt that the “Let’s do it Canberra” will would not be able to succeed.

It’s not too late for your business to get behind the “Let’s do it Canberra: bid, show your support by contacting up via this website.

The West0n Creek Indians Baseball Club have been the first local club to except nothing less  than every one of its registered players pledging $20 in support of Canberra’s ABL bid.

Indians club representative Jimmy Taylor says that having a Canberra team in the ABL is such a great opportunity, it’s too big to waste,

“This could really be the last opportunity we get to have a team in the ABL, everyone in the baseball community must get behind it” he said, adding

“I expect everyone within the Indians to pledge $20, and we’ll be giving all our players 20 pledge forms each.”

The sharp rise in pledges from the club has highlighted the “Just Ask” policy that has been employed by many throughout the baseball community.

“All we have to do is ask.” Jimmy said.

Baseball player Nick Kimpton is hoping the ACT bid for a national team is successful

By Elliot Woods.

Published in Chronicle 18/08/09

THE ACT’s bid to have a team included in the new national baseball competition is now underway.
A combined project of the Major League Baseball, the ACT Government and ACT Baseball, a team from Canberra would boast nearly all homegrown talent, with a pool of about 800 registered players to choose from.Having produced some of the best Australian players in the past decade, like USA based Jeff Williams and
Michael Collins, Canberra is internationally recognised as a baseball hub. The ACT has become a breeding ground for young men and women who can hit harder, throw longer and run faster. Other teams will be based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Perth and Adelaide - if successful, Canberra’s inclusion would be the last confirmed.

Membership and sponsorship packages need to be shored up if the bid is to be successful - the basic requirement is for 5000 members to pledge $20 in addition to promises from major sponsors.

The attraction of 5000 memberships would go a long way to easing concerns regarding facility upgrades, financial backing and general interest from the Canberra community.

The official announcement was confirmed by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr, after 350 baseball fans showed up to lend support at a public meeting held last Monday night.

Canberra-based hitter Nick Kimpton, said the prospect of playing in front of his home crowd was exciting. Kimpton has a stella resume, including stints in the Japanese league, Canadian league, with the LA Angels and as a long standing member of the Australian team. He has won an Olympic silver medal and was last year named MVP and best hitter for his performances with the Perth Heat in the Claxton Shield.

‘‘If we expect small things to begin with, have patience and let the sport grow here in Canberra, I really think it could be a success. If we rush it through and don’t let the team grow here there is a big chance it will flop,” Kimpton said. ‘‘I’ve played a lot overseas and in other Australian cities, so to be able to do that here in front of my friends and family would be pretty special.”

For all of the Twitter-ers out there you can now follow the bid on Twitter.

Simply search for “LetsdoitCanb” and you’ll be all set to go.

Sign up to get all the latest news about the bid.

Just another way that the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid is spreading the word.