It may be the off season in Australia, but many fans still have the ABL on their minds. Andrew Macdougall tells what he misses most about the Australian Baseball League.
I first fell in love with baseball when the newly reformed Australian Baseball League was launched. Given my location, of course by default I became a Melbourne Aces fan.
Being from Melbourne made it an easy decision to support them, the club colours also tied in well with my other Australian sporting love, the Footscray Football club in the AFL.
To add to my misery I would also begin to support the Chicago Cubs, but that’s for another day.
With the ABL season still months away from throwing its first pitch, I have come up with some reasons why I miss the old ball game, here are five of them.
Hot ballpark food
Anyone who has been to a baseball game will tell you that the food is a must have upon first arrival, in Australia it’s no different.
Whether it’s the nice smelling aroma of ballpark hot dogs – let’s not mention HSN founder Andrew Hewitt and his massive 1 metre hot dog escapade – the Taco Bill stand setup out in the beer garden, or the popcorn vendor in the family area, you can’t help but feel hungry as soon as you walk in the doors.
I haven’t ventured outside of Melbourne to watch baseball yet, but I imagine that all ballparks throughout the ABL are much the same.
Opening day
Is there a bigger build up to opening day than in baseball?
The sense of that first pitch about to get thrown, supporters having a tailgate party in the parking lot, or the sweet sunshine belting down on the bleachers as we all settle into watch some baseball.
It’s a build up that is not rivalled by many others in sport. Opening day of any baseball competition is not limited to the MLB, the ABL has its own spot to claim.
State pride
What I find most exciting when I think of the ABL is the state pride that comes along with it.
State vs State is well and truly alive in the NRL up north, but down south in Mexican territory, the ABL is starting to lay a claim that mantle again.
With only one baseball team through each state of Australia playing in the ABL, you are not only representing your city on your travels, but state pride is on the line also.
Walk off homer
Baseball unlike many other sports, has a time where it comes down to one player and one player only.
A walk off home run is one of the most exciting moments in all of sports, being a big ice hockey person, I find it very similar to an overtime winner out on the ice.
I have been part of some big walk off homers since becoming a baseball fan, not only with the Aces, but through supporting the Cubs, big thanks to Anthony Rizzo.
The walk off homer is a moment where time stands still, the clonk of the bat connecting with the ball, as we all wait to see it sail over the outfield wall. Spine chilling stuff.
Family connection
Unlike my favoured sport ice hockey, baseball is something the whole family can get involved in.
Pick up a bat, glove, ball and go for a hit, chucking on some skates with a stick and puck isn’t for everyone, especially children under 10 years old.
Whether it’s a hit outside the ballpark, at the make-shift batting machine, or at the local park. Baseball brings families together like no other sport I know.
What do you miss about the ABL?
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