Baseball is back in the nation’s events capital big time, with Melbourne securing next week’s 2021 Australian Baseball League’s Championship Series at Melbourne Ballpark. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula announced that the playoff series featuring the top four ABL teams had been secured for 11-14 February through the Andrews Labor Government’s Significant Sporting Event Program.
“Victoria is the home of sport in Australia and it’s fantastic that we have secured the biggest games on the national baseball calendar for Melbourne Ballpark.” Minister Pakula commented “I encourage everyone to come along to see some top-notch baseball action.”
The series will comprise six games across four days between the three top-ranked ABL teams and a finals wild card winner, culminating in the ABL 2021 championship final on Sunday, 14 February. There will also be two showcase games featuring the Victorian Aces and Adelaide Giants from the newly established ABL women’s league, which will debut later this year.
“Having a single location for our marquee games makes a lot of sense in the current climate and provides a festival of baseball to close out the season.” Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale commented “The atmosphere at Melbourne Ballpark in game one of last year’s ABL Championship Series was electric and we are confident the state’s baseball fans can emulate that. It sets the stage for a thrilling finish to the season.”
Vale went on to explain that the championship series and the showcase games will be broadcast on Foxtel, Kayo and worldwide into key tourism and export markets including the United States, Japan, Korea and Europe – giving Australian players the opportunity to show their skills to an international audience and promoting Victoria as being open for business.
Minister Pakula said that events like these underline Victoria’s expertise in putting on major tournaments and competitions, giving the state a competitive advantage in attracting future national and international events. Mr. Vale said that the Melbourne Ballpark will provide a home-ground advantage for the Melbourne Aces, who are in the box seat to qualify for the prestigious series and defend their 2020 ABL Championship title, keeping the Claxton Shield in Victoria.