The following statement is from the Australian Baseball League …
Today, the current Canberra Cavalry licence group confirmed they will not participate in the Australian Baseball League (ABL).
Their license will be handed back to Baseball Australia.
While this news is disappointing, the ABL continues to work with four teams to move ahead with a 2025-26 season.
The Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits, Perth Heat, Sydney Blue Sox and a potential new owner have all stated their desire to play baseball this summer in at least a four-team format.
The assertion that Sydney Blue Sox will not take part in the 2025-26 season is incorrect. The ABL is currently in talks with potential license holders to take over the Blue Sox.
“This presents a great opportunity to strategically reshape the league, while still hitting the board’s objectives of the development of Australia’s new, emerging and existing high performance talent,” says ABL General Manager Paul Gonzalez. “The ABL acknowledge the people that have supported the ABL and will endeavour to progress it forward in 2025-26.”
“A reset is needed into how a professional baseball competition in Australia operates,” adds Gonzalez. “The Board are highly supportive and there are productive conversations with teams as to what a season looks like now and into the future. We are excited to be working with four teams in preparation of the Australian Baseball League in 2025-26 and motivated to work with ABL Licence holders who understand the league should still exist and not on hold.”
The league is committed to a schedule announcement for our fans in July as the teams work out the structure of a new-look competition.
Further, Baseball Australia is committed to the Australian Baseball League as the platform to showcase our game and to provide high performing athletes a pathway in the lead up to key events like the World Baseball Classic and Olympic Qualifiers.
The league understands the importance to the key stakeholders, partners, members, fans and our baseball community to see our sport played at a high level and encourage participation levels.
Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams says there are positive signs in the ABL landscape.
“What is encouraging is that in the last couple weeks there has been commentary that indicates a deep level of care and passion by stakeholders,“ says Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.
“People are now seeing the reality of the challenges faced in operating an ABL by both the league and its teams.”
“We have a journey ahead, but that’s when we do our best work. It’s an opportunity to reset, reshape and deliver generational change to our great game in Australia.”
We thank you for your continued support of all teams with your feet, by showing up to a ballpark, supporting your community and backing your team as we push to make a professional baseball league viable in Australia together.
