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19 June 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- ABL 25-26 Season

Black Pearl Sports Group (BPSG) to take over Sydney Blue Sox license

The Sydney Blue Sox have a new license holder.

The Black Pearl Sports Group (BPSG) will take over the license, assuring the Sydney Blue Sox commitment to the Australian Baseball League for 2025-26 and beyond.

“At the heart of everything we’re building is a belief in opportunity, community, and integrity,” said Cole Sherertz, Managing Director of Black Pearl Sports Group.

“My deepest passion is serving people. I love people, and I love culture — especially when it’s rooted in great baseball. What we’re building in Sydney has the power to inspire far beyond the diamond. We’re laying the foundation for a new era of baseball in Australia.”

The team will be run in partnership with Baseball New South Wales (BNSW).

Although BNSW will not be providing financial support, they will be offering strategic, promotional, and community engagement support to help elevate the team’s presence and strengthen ties with the grassroots baseball community.

“The Sydney Blue Sox’s participation in the Australian Baseball League is vital for the growth and visibility of baseball in New South Wales,” said James Morley, Interim CEO of Baseball NSW. “It provides a clear pathway for our homegrown talent to compete at the highest level nationally, inspires the next generation of players, and strengthens community engagement with the sport. We are eager to be working with Cole and the Black Pearl Sports Group for the coming ABL season.”

Australian Baseball League General Manager Paul Gonzalez says it’s exciting news as the league continues to finalise plans for the upcoming season.

“Sydney is our biggest market and represents a great opportunity going forward,” he says. “The Blue Sox, Baseball New South Wales, and their fans have a great foundation to build off of after winning the minor premiership in the 2024-25 season.”

The Australian Baseball League will be proceeding with four teams in 2025-26 as the professional competition continues to reset.

The Sydney Blue Sox, Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits and Perth Heat have all committed to the upcoming season.

The schedule and competition details are expected to be announced in July.

11 June 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- ABL Abroad

Adelaide Giants and Team Australia pitcher Lachie Wells signs pro contract in Korea

2024 Australian Baseball League MVP Wells has signed a contract in the Korean Baseball League (KBO) with the Kiwoom Heroes.

Wells, a 28-year-old Team Australia pitcher, will join the top-tier Korean baseball team as a short-term injury replacement for Kenny Rosenberg.

The deal is worth a reported $30,000 USD and will last around six weeks.

Wells had a solid ABL season, posting a 5-1 record with an ERA of 3.17, all while leading the league with 66 strikeouts. He tossed a near perfect game in the playoffs.

In 2023-24, Wells put together one of the best seasons in ABL history. He had a 0.94 ERA and 0.73 WHIP across nine starts.

Wells won the ABL’s MVP, the Pitcher of the Year and an ABL Championship.

He flies out to Korea this week to join the team immediately.

18 May 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- ABL 25-26 Season

Aussie duo Blake Townsend and Brandan Bidois taking Greensboro by storm

written by James Dyer

Australian pitching duo Brandan Bidois and Blake Townsend are off to red-hot start to the season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Across 8.1 innings in six appearances this season, Bidois has recorded a save, 11 strikeouts and only conceded one walk.

Impressively, he has yet to allow a run.

Bidois, from Queensland, started the year on the Injured List. While he missed time, he says it helped motivate him for the season.

“It just made that fire inside a bit bigger and I’m hungry for what’s next,” he says.

Bidois (above) says he focused his offseason on developing a new game plan.

“My main goal coming into the season was focusing on things I could control,” Bidois says. “I have been mindful in my preparation and know that after the ball leaves my hand whatever happens, happens.”

Team Australia arm and Adelaide Giant Blake Townsend has been equally impressive on the mound this season, throwing 18.1 innings across nine games.

He’s allowed only two earned runs. He has collected 22 strikeouts – five of which came in his last outing.

Townsend’s ERA has sunk below 0.98 as of Sunday morning in Australia.

He says he has changed his mentality this season which has helped him with the early success.

“I came into this year believing I was going to throw strikes and get ahead of guys, doing so has put me in good positions to succeed,” he says. “I feel like I’m able to handle adversity a lot better.”

Self-confidence has been key for Townsend this season, changing his belief in his personal identity.

“I am someone who is going to come in and throw strikes from pitch one,” he adds.

The boys have bonded together being in Greensboro.

“Having Blake has been great, hearing somebody on the team call you mate makes you feel that much closer to home.” Bidois says.

Townsend (below) agrees.

“It’s been awesome having another Aussie in the clubhouse, especially after joining a new organisation,” says Townsend.

Morale is high between the two Aussies. They even share Australian snacks at the field.

Townsend says sharing a box of pizza shapes has made his entire week.

We will continue to follow the pitching duo at Greensboro, wishing them Goodluck for the rest of the season.

READ MORE: An update on professional Australian baseball players around the world

17 May 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- ABL 25-26 Season

Statement regarding the 2025-26 Australian Baseball League season

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.

28 April 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- ABL 25-26 Season

Melbourne Aces withdraw from Australian Baseball League

The Australian Baseball League announce that the Melbourne Aces have withdrawn from the league.

After discussions between the ABL and the Aces, the ABL were informed by the Aces of the decision to withdraw from the competition.

Baseball Australia and the Australian Baseball League thank Brett and Shaun Ralph and the Melbourne Aces for their longstanding commitment and contribution to the game and the league.

Baseball Australia President, David Hynes AM said: “The Aces have been major contributors to baseball for a significant period. It is a lossto see them withdraw from the league. We thank the Ralph family, and everyone involved in the Aces organisation for their contribution to baseball in Australia. The Aces have achieved tremendous success both on and off the field over many years.”

The ABL will continue working with ABL teams and planning for the 2025/26 season.

21 April 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- ABL Abroad

Team Australia & Sydney Blue Sox pitcher Coen Wynne signs contract with Korea's LG Twins

Team Australia and Sydney Blue Sox pitcher Coen Wynne has signed a contract with the LG Twins in the Korean Baseball Organisation (KBO) – South Korea’s top league and a power three professional baseball competition in the world.

He was signed to a Temporary Foreign Replacement Player contract to step in for wounded import Elieser Hernandez

The Twins kept tabs on Wynne at international events during the last ABL season. They invited him to Spring Training in February over in Arizona.

“Spring training was intense and saw me throwing bullpens, participating in team defence, throwing live at bats against hitters and I finished off with me throwing a few innings in a scrimmage game,” said Wynne. “The feeling I got from the head of scouting department and coaches were that they were impressed with my performance during spring and wanted to keep in touch throughout the season.”

Sydney-born Wynne, 26, has been one of the feel of the Australian baseball world over the last two years.

He returned Down Under from a standout career at Grand Canyon University in NCAA Division I and has progressively taken a leap each of his three ABL seasons.

In 2022-23, he started ten games and was one of the best rookies. He earned an emergency call-up to Australia at the World Baseball Classic and famously pitched the national team to a win over China just a day after landing in Japan.

In 2023-24, he was once again relied on as a key Blue Sox starter and earned a spot with Team Australia at the Premier12.

But 2024-25 was when he really took off. He was used as both a starter and a reliever, compiling a 2.35 ERA in 38.1 innings with a WHIP of .934. He was nominated for the Pitcher of the Year and helped the Sox win the minor premiership.

He famously threw a near-perfect outing just hours after returning from his Nan’s funeral in December.

That’s when the LG Twins took note, inviting him to Spring Training in Arizona in February 2025.

“The Blue Sox have been a large part of my development for the last three seasons,” said Wynne. “It’s given me a chance to sharpen my skills as both a starter and a reliever.”

Wynne flies out to Korea later this week to join the team.

It’s a prospect the Twins are excited about.

“Coen Wynn is a starting resource from the Australian national team, and he has maintained his sense of competition by digesting actual games until recently, and he judged him to be the right person to replace Hernandez considering his training with the team for the purpose of actual test for the Asian quarter during the Arizona Spring Camp,” said a Twins official. 

We will be watching eagerly.

08 April 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- ABL 25-26 Season

Darren MacBeth to Depart Sydney Blue Sox Ownership Group

After two impactful seasons leading the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League—including a return to the playoffs in 2024–25 — Darren MacBeth will be stepping down from his ownership role.

MacBeth, the founder of Five Star Distribution, worked closely with General Manager Stuart Masters to reinvigorate the Blue Sox brand. Together, they increased attendance, strengthened the club’s local presence, and ended a prolonged playoff drought.

A respected figure in the Australian baseball community, MacBeth’s deep-rooted love for the sport traces back to his playing days with the Canterbury Vikings and Sydney Zephyrs.

“Unfortunately, due to changes in our personal circumstances, my wife and I have made the difficult decision to step away from the ownership of the Blue Sox. We simply can’t dedicate the time and resources needed to keep things progressing the way they deserve,” conveys Darren MacBeth.

“We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved over the past two years. It’s been a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated coaching staff, committed players who gave everything they had, and our fantastic team—Stu, Kyra, and the amazing volunteers who made coming to the ballpark such a joy.”

“We’ll miss it all, and we truly hope the Blue Sox continue to thrive and build on the momentum that’s been created.”

Baseball Australia and the Australian Baseball League thank Darren for his commitment and contribution.

“It will be disappointing to see Darren and Stuart leave the Bue Sox, however their impact will be long lasting. The improvement both on and off the field has been remarkable and the team is well placed for future success,” states Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams.

As the Blue Sox enter a new chapter, the ABL will continue to work with potential investment partners to ensure the club competes in the 2025–26 season and beyond.

01 April 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- ABL Abroad

Brisbane Bandits alum Tyler Tolbert becomes 75th modern-day ABL player to reach Major Leagues

Tyler Tolbert is a major leaguer.

The member of the 2022-23 Brisbane Bandits was called up by the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday and appeared in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game.

He becomes the 75th player since the ABL reformed to reach the Majors.

Tolbert hit .297 with 2 homers and 12 RBI in 32 games with the Bandits while swiping 15 bags. He stole 243 bases in six minor league seasons with the Royals.

Congratulations to Tyler!

MORE STORIES


A list of ABL players on MLB Opening Day Rosters

A list of all 43 ABL players on 2025 NPB or Affiliate Rosters in Japan

26 March 2025 By Staff Writers

By Staff Writers

- ABL Abroad

A list of ABL players on MLB Opening Day Rosters

by Eric Balnar, photo: Christopher O’Meara, Associated Press

Major League Baseball season is here!

On Thursday 27 March (US Time), all 30 MLB teams begin their quest for a World Series title. The action begins early Friday morning in Australia.

There are plenty of links to the Australian Baseball League. 17 players, including two Australians, have cracked Opening Day rosters.
Overall, there have been 74 players who have progressed to the Major Leagues after playing in Australia since the league reformed in 2010. If you include the original ABL, this number is closer to 170.

Here’s who they are and who is on the cusp of a major league call-up.

Read more: Two Australians, Curtis Mead & Liam Hendriks, crack Major League Baseball Opening Day Line Ups

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST


Baltimore Orioles

– Andrew Kittredge x Adelaide Giants

Boston Red Sox

– Liam Hendriks x Perth Heat

Tampa Bay Rays

– Curtis Mead x Adelaide Giants
– Junior Caminero x Perth Heat

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL


Cleveland Guardians

– Gabriel Arias x Canberra Cavalry

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST


Los Angeles Angels

– Logan O’Hoppe x Adelaide Giants
– Yusei Kikuchi x Melbourne Aces

Seattle Mariners

Taylor Saucedo x Canberra Cavalry

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST


Atlanta Braves

– Ronald Acuna Jr x Melbourne Aces (starting on IL)

Miami Marlins

– Lake Bachar x Canberra Cavalry

Philadelphia Phillies

– Cristopher Sanchez x Perth Heat

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL


Chicago Cubs

– Shota Imanaga x Canberra Cavalry
– Jon Berti x Canberra Cavalry

Cincinnati Reds

– Jake Fraley x Perth Heat

Milwaukee Brewers

– Rhys Hoskins x Sydney Blue Sox
– Jared Koenig x Auckland Tuatara

Pittsburgh Pirates

– Ji-Hwan Bae x Geelong Korea

ON THE CUSP / TRIPLE A


– Athletics: Jacob Lopez x Perth Heat
– Atlanta Braves: Luke Williams x Adelaide Giants
– Colorado Rockies: Jack O’Loughlin x Adelaide Giants
– Detroit Tigers: Bligh Madris x Brisbane Bandits
– LA Angels: Chuckie Robinson x Canberra Cavalry
– Tampa Bay Rays: Jake Westbrook x Sydney Blue Sox
– San Diego Padres: Cole Roederer x Canberra Cavalry and Mike Brosseau x Perth Heat

 

25 March 2025 By Eric Balnar

By Eric Balnar

- ABL Abroad

A list of all 43 ABL players on 2025 NPB or Affiliate Rosters in Japan

above: Takahisa Hayakawa with Perth in 2023 (Ryan Schembri)

Since the Australian Baseball League returned in 2010 it has been a destination for top-tier teams in Japan to send players for crucial development.

The likes of global superstars Shota Imanaga and Yusei Kikuchi have been sent Down Under to hone their craft in the Japanese off-season.

It remains the same in 2025.

There are at least 43 players with NPB-affiliation who have appeared in the Australian Baseball League.

As the season begins this weekend (March 28) in Japan, here are some players to get behind!

Read more: The best Asian League players to compete in the Australian Baseball League

Read more: ABL connections in the MLB Tokyo Series 2025 – Dodgers vs Cubs

Adelaide Giants

– OF Yuto Akihro (Tokyo Giants)
– P Ryusei Yamada (Tokyo Giants)
– P Makoto Kyomoto (Tokyo Giants)

秋広優人がまたヒットを打って、打率.300以上をキープ!!!🔥🔥🔥

Yuto Akihiro with another single to keep his batting average above .300!!!@TokyoGiants

日本語の解説: https://t.co/RVlmScNs24 pic.twitter.com/2cj6vpYb91

— Australian Baseball League (@ABL) December 22, 2024

Brisbane Bandits

– INF Kenta Imamiya (Softbank)
– INF Taisei Makihara (Softbank)
– INF Shuhei Fukuda (Orix)
– INF Daikan Yoh (Nigata Albirex)
– UTIL Akira Nakamura (Softbank)

Canberra Cavalry

– UTIL Junpei Azuma (Baystars)
– P Souma Tokuyama (Baystars)
– P Shinichi Ohnuki (Baystars)
– P Kosuke Sakaguchi (Baystars)
– P Takumi Akiyama (Hanshin)
– P Shinichi Ohnuki (Baystars)
– P Yuki Kuniyoshi (Chiba)
– P Kousuke Sakaguchi (Tokyo Swallows)
– P Tasei Irie (Baystars)

Melbourne Aces

Update from Jarryd Dale in Japan 🇯🇵:

Jarryd has signed a development contract with the Orix Buffaloes in the NPB and is currently at Spring Training.

“They’ve been giving me live at-bats and training me every day at shortstop,” he says. “They have a lot of sign plays [in Japan]… pic.twitter.com/TNMN7qyycy

— Australian Baseball League (@ABL) February 28, 2025

– INF Jarryd Dale (Orix)
– P Taiki Ono (Orix)
– P Taito Takashima (Orix)
– C Sho Fukunaga (Orix)
– OF Ryu Sugisawa (Orix)
– P Yuito Mae (Orix)
– P Kaede Yokoyama (Orix)
– P Mizuki Miura (Chunichi Dragons)
– P Kyuta Kazama (Softbank)
– P Ryoga Tomiyama (Orix)
– P Hiromasa Saito (Softbank)
– C Tomoya Mori (Orix)
– P Kona Takahashi (Seibu)
– P Keisuke Honda (Orix)

Perth Heat

– Fumiya Kurokawa (Rakuten)
– Takahisa Hayakawa (Rakuten)

Take a bow, Takahisa. Here are all 13 strikeouts from Takahisa Hayakawa in his complete game, one-hit shutout 🇯🇵

Watch the Australian Baseball League live & free around the world on Baseball+ @Rakuten__Eagles pic.twitter.com/6oAyuLGRAA

— Australian Baseball League (@ABL) December 22, 2023

Sydney Blue Sox

– P Hikaru Ohtani (Chiba Lotte)
– P Shunsuke Nakamori (Chiba Lotte)
– P Yuto Yoshikawa (Chiba Lotte)
– C Ryusei Terachi (Chiba Lotte)
– OF Raito Ikeda (Chiba Lotte)
– INF Shinya Matsuishi (Chiba Lotte)
– OF Daito Yamamoto (chiba Lotte)

Auckland Tuatara

– P Atsuki Taneichi (Chiba Lotte)
– INF Taiga Hirasawa (Seibu Lions
– P Tomohito Sakai (Rakuten)

Sponsored
  • - ABL 25-26 Season 9 days ago Black Pearl Sports Group (BPSG) to take over Sydney Blue Sox license
  • - ABL Abroad 17 days ago Adelaide Giants and Team Australia pitcher Lachie Wells signs pro contract in Korea
  • - ABL Abroad about 1 month ago Aussie duo Blake Townsend and Brandan Bidois taking Greensboro by storm
  • - ABL 25-26 Season about 1 month ago Statement regarding the 2025-26 Australian Baseball League season
  • - ABL 25-26 Season 2 months ago Melbourne Aces withdraw from Australian Baseball League
  • - ABL Abroad 2 months ago Team Australia & Sydney Blue Sox pitcher Coen Wynne signs contract with Korea's LG Twins
  • - ABL 25-26 Season 3 months ago Darren MacBeth to Depart Sydney Blue Sox Ownership Group
  • - ABL Abroad 3 months ago Brisbane Bandits alum Tyler Tolbert becomes 75th modern-day ABL player to reach Major Leagues
  • - ABL Abroad 3 months ago A list of ABL players on MLB Opening Day Rosters
  • - ABL Abroad 3 months ago A list of all 43 ABL players on 2025 NPB or Affiliate Rosters in Japan
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