What is the Australian Baseball League?

Major League Baseball International has joined with the Australian Baseball Federation, to create the Australian Baseball League (ABL).

5 teams have already been confirmed for the inaugural season beginning in November 2010, they being; Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

The ABL will be a part of Major League Baseball’s global structure and categorised at the AA level.

Who are we bidding against?

Canberra is the only city to be invited to take up the position as the sixth team; we are competing against ourselves.

What does “Let’s do it Canberra” need to do to gain entry into the ABL?

The “Let’s do it Canberra” bid must satisfy three criteria in order to be successful, they are -

· Sponsorship pledges of $100,000 per annum for three years.

· Secure support from the ACT Government to upgrade Narrabundah Baseball Park to AA standard.

· Achieve 5,000, $20 pledges of support from the Canberra community.

When do we have to meet the criteria?

The criteria must be met by the end of September 2009 in order for Major League Baseball in New York to make a decision about our participation by October 2009.

How do I make my $20 pledge?

You can make your $20 pledge by following one of these easy steps:

Using our Paypal facility on the “Let’s do it Canberra” website

Downloading a form from the “Let’s do it Canberra website and giving it to your club representative.

Purchasing a pledge from one of your club representatives.

Sending a completed form to the “Let’s do it Canberra” bid headquarters: PO Box 3537, Manuka ACT, 2603.

I want to sponsor the team, how do I express my interest?

 If you would like to enquire about sponsoring Canberra’s team in the Australian Baseball League, send an email to letsdoitcanberra@gmail.com and we’ll be in contact.

If I want to sponsor the team, when do I have to pay?

The “Let’s do it Canberra” team are only taking pledges of interest for sponsorships. Full contract terms, conditions and payments will be negotiated once a team has been put in place.

I want to volunteer my time, how can I help?

You can sign up to volunteer your time on the “Let’s do it Canberra” website.

Why should Canberra have a team in the Australian Baseball League?

· It will put Canberra on the Major League Baseball map and open up opportunities through being a part of a genuine global sporting community.

· It will provide local and regional sport and baseball fans with the opportunity to watch and be inspired by highly competitive AA standard baseball.

· It will provide local and regional baseball players with a development pathway all the way through to the Major Leagues in the USA and Japan.

· It will draw visitors to Canberra to watch the matches.

· Having an ABL team and being part of Major League Baseball will attract players to our sport.

What if the bid fails?

In the unlikely chance that it we do not meet the qualifying criteria, your money will be refunded upon presentation of your pledge receipt.

All money collected from Members is held in a Trust account until such time as we are given an official go ahead by the Australian Baseball League. This money cannot be spent prior to the creation of a team.

Why would I spend $20 on a team that doesn’t exist?

If you don’t pledge your support, we won’t get a team to support. The $20 spent now is showing your support for your local team, in the long term the small benefits will far outweigh the cost.