Is It Time to Rethink Baseball in Australia?

With the Melbourne Aces pulling out of the Australian Baseball League (ABL), it feels like we’re staring straight at the reality that baseball in Australia needs a serious rethink.

For every good thing the league has done, it feels like there has been ten negative things swept under the carpet.

And now, unless Baseball Australia pulls off a miracle, fans are going to be left with a baseball-less summer.

Greg Bird at bat for Melbourne against Adelaide

For the casual baseball fan, the Melbourne Aces announcement came out of nowhere.

Reading the Aces’ statement, it revealed insights into what has been going on for years, the issues were not disclosed but it highlighted one point, this league is dying.

How long it has left is unclear but the Aces made the first move to ensure the club’s survival.

Can you blame the Melbourne Aces for seeing the writing on the wall and deciding to flee the sinking ship?

With this move, the Aces will be participating in the 2025 Ulsan KBO Fall League in Korea and brining Korean teams out to Australia for games in 2026.

The Aces have been hitting runs off the field, leading the league’s attendance for the last two seasons and with one of the best game-day experiences, the club does not want to merely die with the ABL.

Melbourne Ballpark filled with baseball fans

But this also begs the question, can baseball survive in Australia?

It is a minor sporting league in an already oversaturated market, competing with the likes of Big Bash (cricket), NBL (basketball) and other summer sports.

As it stands, Baseball Australia are planning for next season, but will things be the same with no Melbourne team.

While Melbourne Aces are thinking about themselves and their fans, with the guarantee that the Aces will be playing baseball this upcoming summer, irrespective of if the ABL is running or not.

What People Are Saying

Fans of Australian Baseball took to social media to express their views.

Some in favour of the Aces decision: "Excited for the next phase of Aces baseball. Huge respect for the courage it takes to do what’s right for the team."

"Absolutely, unresolved issues? Is this the same reasons that had the Blue Sox change hands 3 times in 5 years?"

"Sounds like growth to me; if they couldn't sustain a local team, they wouldn’t have money to expand. Great work Melbourne Aces, not everyone has vision, goals, and guts!"

"Seems a lot of Aces fans forget owners can do what they want. And who even knows if there’ll be an ABL in a year’s time."

"Personally, this is the greatest thing to happen for the game in years. Baseball Australia lost its way. This move could finally shake things up for good."

"The ABL is about to fold anyway - the Aces just got out first. Prove me wrong."

Some Against:

"Very bold of a team that hasn't scored better than 4th in the last 3 years to say they’ve proven themselves an 'elite level team'... And how are they even going to fill a roster under Korean rules and restrictions?"

"This move is selfish and short-sighted. Without a strong domestic league, baseball in Australia is going to suffer."

"I'm sorry, but this is NOT OK. You’re abandoning the supporters who backed you all these years. No transparency. Just a shameful decision."

This will be one story for Australian Baseball fans to keep a close eye on.