Perth WITHDRAW from the ABL

On June 25th 2025 Perth Heat became the third team to withdraw from Australian Baseball League (ABL).

This was a huge blow, not just for baseball in Western Australia but for the entire league.

Perth Heat's Co-owner Christian Galopoulos made it clear they tried everything.

But nothing came together.

The fact teams were withdrawing and the given uncertainty in the league left them with no clear way forward.

They could not risk the club’s future by just rolling the dice, even with all their history and momentum.

Perth have been one of the league’s most consistent teams.

They made the playoffs every year for the last six seasons.

They reached the Championship Series four times.

For a club with that pedigree to step back says a lot about the state of the league.

This follows Melbourne Aces leaving the league back in April, Canberra following in May.

Those decision shocked a lot of people and forced serious questions about where the league is heading.

Now with Perth gone, questions have to be asked and answered.

If three of six franchises leave, how does a national league survive in Australia when even the pillars cannot hold?

Looking at the simple facts, that is three teams down now.

Not because of poor form or lack of support.

But because the league just does not offer enough certainty.

The ABL’s ongoing problems with funding, structure, and vision are impossible to ignore anymore.

Back to Perth.

For their fans, this is brutal.

Western Australia has a proud baseball tradition.

The Heat have been the face of that for decades.

Galopoulos ended his statement with thanks to everyone who has been part of the journey.

He said the club still believes in the sport and hopes to return one day.

But for that to happen, the league needs to change fast.

Right now, the ABL is losing more than just clubs.

It is losing its credibility and the faith of fans, players, and communities.

At this point, it feels like it might be too late to save a national baseball league in Australia.

Without major change, the game we love could vanish from the big stage for good.