|
|
Post by curveball on May 26, 2011 20:23:39 GMT 10
What does everyone think about the new schedule, I am a bit suspect on the New Years Eve series, not sure how many would show for that one.  |
|
|
|
Post by stuartcapel on May 27, 2011 13:07:55 GMT 10
Curveball, I'm happy with the draw, but then again, I'm one who won't be playing myself this summer, so I'll be looking to go on one or two road trips. Subsequently, the gap between home series from 20/11 to 29/12 doesn't every bother me so much from a personal perspective, though I can certainly appreciate that during a season, for most Aces fans five weeks without a home series will be a long time, especially given the Aces then dive into 15 home games in just 24 days. At least we don't have a series in the pre-Christmas week. The New Year's Eve clash with Sydney is already being mentioned as one that the Aces will pull out a few stops to make sure the game and the post-game are big, though so long as they don't do what they did in Brisbane and have the fireworks in about the 8th innings, we should be fine. I also remember a 15 innings game that ended just before midnight against Sydney in the season just past. The PA was shut down around 10.30-11 (and the atmosphere ironically got better!) - what happens if we go into extras on 31/12 (aside from seeing an exciting game of quality baseball)? As a comparison, the crowds from 31/12/2010 around the league (remembering 31/12/10 was a Friday night): Aces @ Bandits - 886 (Thurs crowd: 1057 Sat crowd: 1167 Sun Crowd: 958) Cavalry @ Bite - 778 (Thurs crowd: 1335 Sat crowd: 1343 Sun Crowd: 1292) Blue Sox @ Heat - 1237 (Thurs crowd: 1299 Sat crowd: 1215 Sun Crowd: 1356 ) So no real difference in Perth, though they did run a special event following the game: web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101220&content_id=16347006&vkey=news_t4068&fext=.jsp&sid=t4068In Brisbane, the Aces and Bandits squared the series, though the NYE crowd was around 83% of the average attendance for the rest of the series. In Adelaide (who do support the Bite passionately, it must be said),it was an amazingly low 58% on the average for the rest of the series. Give credit to the Bite for making an adjustment though - they have another NYE series (against Perth), and in fact have a double-header on the day, but are starting at midday and 3pm, allowing everyone to get their baseball fix and then head out for a good time. We will see on the day whether that works for them. I sense it will, especially given it's against Perth. |
|
|
|
Post by Goblin on May 27, 2011 17:09:02 GMT 10
My thinking is that the turnout will be linked to how the Aces are traveling at the time.
Using last season as an example, with the Aces in full flight and hitting the top of the table, one would expect a healthy crowd. Conversely, if they dwelling at the wrong end of the table, numbers would reflect this.
Personally speaking I would prefer that it would be a single afternoon game and the double header was on the Sunday. But hey, I'm a tragic and will more than likely be turning up whatever time it is.
A major bummer to me is that I will miss the 1st 2 series as I will be in the States at the time. Yep, its a tough life.
Highly interested to see what direction the Aces are going to go with their imports. Will they stick to the Japanese players and their unavailability from the end of Dec or will they look elsewhere. The Aces were dealt a savage blow once the Japanese departed last season.
As good as they were, is it the right strategy for the team balance over the whole of the season. Perth and SA rode to the finals on the back of having their imports for the entire season.
|
|
|
|
Post by Goblin on May 27, 2011 21:19:07 GMT 10
I have attached a breakdown of the Jet Couriers Melbourne Aces Schedule 2011/12 A couple of things to note This season they have increased the number of games, last season 40 and this season 45 By the look of the draw, all teams play each other 4 times in the first half and 5 times against each other in the 2nd half. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by moose on May 30, 2011 21:53:33 GMT 10
I have real concerns about this schedule. The 39 day gap between the 20th November game and the Dec 29th game beggars belief. Apparently it is because of music festivals being booked at the venue.
It is the nail in the coffin of the present Venue at the show grounds, at least in my opinion. It shows to me the complete lack of respect by the show administration and highlights why we should be looking for a new venue d**n fast.
Last season was understandable that the show admin didn't know what we were about. But I don't believe that excuse holds water for this season. They see us as small fry and don't give a d**n about us IMHO.
I can't see how we are to establish a serious supporter base here whilst we are stuck in a situation where we have to give such a huge advantage to our interstate rivals by only having two (weather permitting) out of the first six series at home.
Remember if we stick with the Japanese imports as we did last season then they go home about December which means that we only have them for two home series and then lose them for the last three home series. Remember last season?
As far as the NYE game, personally I preferred the series just before Xmas last year. I thought it had a great feel about it and I'd like to know the crowd figures for that series. Thought that it could have been cultivated as a tradition in a league sorely short of traditions. We were the only series played at that time whilst there were three NYE series played. Stuart's figure indicates that they didn't enjoy a great response from the public as most people have a multitude of choices of activities on that night.
Lastly I find it difficult to believe that 15 games (30% of the home and away season) will be crammed into 24 days. Will seem to make it feel like a very short season.
End of rant.
Neil W
|
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 9, 2011 17:47:55 GMT 10
Hi Baseball Fans. Does anybody out there know anything about anything regarding the Aces this year? Or is it to be another repeat of last year where we were given little or no information leading up to the season. I'm ready to buy my family membership but would like to know something about the team. Who's playing, who's coaching, where are we playing....you know just some of that periferal information.
Anyway, if anyone out there has heard anything it's about time you shared it, don't you think? Maybe even a few snippets from the office? Are they still working?
Hope so...........GO ACES
|
|
|
|
Post by trober on Jun 9, 2011 19:55:38 GMT 10
There is info in this very thread. The fixture is out, the aces are once again playng at the show grounds. Not sure if it's been announced but unless Phil dale is unavailable he will once again manage the club. We are still too far out from the start of the season to have anything around rosters released. I think what we can expect this season is similar to last season but with a bit more polish and some extra games.
I have my membership and am looking forward to the start of the season
|
|
|
|
Post by stuartcapel on Jun 9, 2011 20:16:08 GMT 10
You have yours trober? Strange, the Aces have had my details for weeks but unless something has happened recently I'm still waiting for the Aces to process the form.
I understand that the Aces have waited until the end of the earlybird membership drive before processing payments etc, and from a cost perspective I can understand that, however they will need to keep in mind that the likelihood is that one or two of those membership forms will be rejected simply because of someone reaching a credit limiton the card they have provided. Have seen it happen in business and would alsmost put money on the fact it would happen to at least one (potential) Aces member.
|
|
|
|
Post by duke on Jun 9, 2011 21:02:44 GMT 10
Yes, the fixture is out and it seems the Aces will again be playing at the Showgrounds. I think that parentofone is expressing a quite reasonable expectation that maybe, just maybe, we will be kept informed about developments around the club in the off-season. Sure, we can tap in to the repeats of repeats of public-domain reports about how Luke Hughes or Grant Balfour is going (and all power to our baseball professionals). But maybe your everyday existing or potential Aces member would like to know who will be coaching our developing club, who will be assisting, where we are looking for players, what ground improvements are anticipated. Oh, and the small matter of who actually works for the Aces these days. Seems like Kylee Healy (whoever she is, though I'm sure she is a lovely person) does most of it, although Mr Knox is heard on radio waffling on about the same sort of stuff from time to time. But wait, you'll say. A cursory glance at the Aces website shows us that the club's media machine has indeed been hard at it. Shoot, there's a big recent story on Peter Moylan's twittering. And another on New Zealand's ambitions to make the World Baseball Classic. The only problem is that both stories, typically, have been cut and pasted from other sources, without acknowledgment and without recognition of who actually did the work. The Moylan story was taken from the Atlanta Journal and the NZ story from Stuff.Co.NZ (see links below). www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-mvt-most-valuable-960859.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/5087664/NZ-in-bid-to-make-World-Baseball-ClassicSeems that the ABF has been instructing the Aces club. The approach is unprofessional crap, guys. Value your own efforts at effective communication. Get some qualified and competent people onboard to report on what is happening with and around the Aces and the ABL. Stop relying on other people to do your work. Complement, compliment and acknowledge the work of others, by all means, but aim to set your own benchmark. To parentofone I say, keep the faith. The onfield stuff will be good (as always) and the players will be good for the new season. Take out memberships. Go ACES.  |
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 10, 2011 8:38:14 GMT 10
There is info in this very thread. The fixture is out, the aces are once again playng at the show grounds. Not sure if it's been announced but unless Phil dale is unavailable he will once again manage the club. We are still too far out from the start of the season to have anything around rosters released. I think what we can expect this season is similar to last season but with a bit more polish and some extra games. I have my membership and am looking forward to the start of the season Thanks trober......the fixture is out, that's true, that we are playing at the showgrounds again?  I haven't seen that anywhere. And the scuttlebut around the Winter League is that Phil Dale hasn't been appointed as coach and I think that would be a terrible mistake. I'm also looking forward to the start of the season, don't get me wrong, but it's not that far away and not much appears to be in place. Hope I'm wrong and if I am it would be nice to see some evidence of what is going on. As with last season I'll be right behind the duggout cheering the boys on, but it won't be the same if Phil Dale isn't calling the shots.  |
|
|
|
Post by windsor on Jun 10, 2011 16:38:18 GMT 10
Hello Forum,
Yes I do keep an eye on what is being posted and I do listen to all the good and all the constructive comments posted over the past year. We have tried to keep all of you updated as much as we can but some information which I hope you can appreciate cannot be released yet.
The Aces do sometimes surf the net for information and we do not have a full time writer in the offseason, so you might see some stories that are from other sources and my apologies if we have not credited them properly. We have employed a new Social / Media person and our information flow is getting better but still needs some improvement, we will keep working on it.
I do try to get in the news as much as possible, sometimes with news and sometimes to keep the sport and the Aces warm, not sure how much in that area has been done in recent year.
I cannot go in to details on staff but it would be fair to say that Phil will be back in an Aces kit next season. Other coaches have not been determined but we did have a pretty tight group last season.
I will try to update the forum as much as possible and I do appreciate the energy and support for the Aces and baseball. If you love baseball and want it to grow, the Aces and you are on the same mission. Get a membership, join the forum and let's do this together...
Thanks Again
Windsor
|
|
|
|
Post by perfeckt on Jun 10, 2011 20:37:20 GMT 10
Thanx Windsor for your input, good to hear from you. Where's my cap!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by perfeckt on Jun 10, 2011 20:42:18 GMT 10
Original season, not with Jet Couriers logo. No offense "Jet Couriers". Thank you for coming on board and supporting our Aces.
|
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 11, 2011 8:46:49 GMT 10
Hello Forum, Yes I do keep an eye on what is being posted and I do listen to all the good and all the constructive comments posted over the past year. We have tried to keep all of you updated as much as we can but some information which I hope you can appreciate cannot be released yet. The Aces do sometimes surf the net for information and we do not have a full time writer in the offseason, so you might see some stories that are from other sources and my apologies if we have not credited them properly. We have employed a new Social / Media person and our information flow is getting better but still needs some improvement, we will keep working on it. I do try to get in the news as much as possible, sometimes with news and sometimes to keep the sport and the Aces warm, not sure how much in that area has been done in recent year. I cannot go in to details on staff but it would be fair to say that Phil will be back in an Aces kit next season. Other coaches have not been determined but we did have a pretty tight group last season. I will try to update the forum as much as possible and I do appreciate the energy and support for the Aces and baseball. If you love baseball and want it to grow, the Aces and you are on the same mission. Get a membership, join the forum and let's do this together... Thanks Again Windsor Thanks Winsor It's nice of you to reply on the forum. And to confirm that Phil will be in an Aces "kit" without being able to give any detail. That kind of confirms what we have been hearing that an overseas Head Coach will be coming on board with Phil moving back to his familiar role as pitching coach. Where does that leave Lee Hogan? Or will Phil Allen go and Lee take over his role. Talk is that a Japanese Head Coach will come over but that would be difficult with the language barrier. Maybe now that you are a forum contributor you can add something to these rumors that are out there? Or at least confirm or deny them... Either way....GO ACES 2011-'12 |
|
|
|
Post by dag on Jun 11, 2011 10:39:09 GMT 10
Good to see that someone from the Aces has finally got on here, but i have great faith that nothing will change (just read perfeckt's posts regarding the promised hat) and any information "we" general baseball public crave will not be forthcoming!!
The ABL will be the same every year, only telling us something after MLB makes it happen??
As for the ABF.... well your website is still crap and I think monkeys are running it and while this continues you will remain the second rate organization looking for a new way to pillfer money out of nieve parents to fund your little monkey club there is never any decent news coming from them and a word of warning, the next time there is a drug story (like the first week of the ABL last year) good luck trying to hide it!!
And parentofone as long as Dale is the manager, the likes of Hogan, Allen, Shanahan, Clarkson, Deeble, Bourke, Cornish, Maurer and even Dihm will have a job doing something!!
|
|
|
|
Post by windsor on Jun 11, 2011 17:15:05 GMT 10
Thanks parentfone for the comments, there have never been conversations with another manager, will be working to confirm the coaching staff soon. Rumors are bound to happen and this forum is a good way to speculate, have some fun and try to get some real info about the Aces and baseball around the country. I do find it amazing that there is so much negativity about what we are trying to do, but let's hope we can change some attitudes, one at a time, eh dag....
|
|
|
|
Post by ramsrus2 on Jun 11, 2011 19:02:22 GMT 10
Wow Dag!
Have no idea what is causing your angst, but I'm sure you have good reason for it. Comment = networking is alive and well everywhere and as long as the people involved are qualified for the job, I would rather work with my friends, people I know and work well with. There is nothing wrong with that. I think calling people monkeys is going a bit far though.
|
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 11, 2011 21:21:53 GMT 10
WOW....This is getting intriguing. Winsor is getting involved, which is great, but is giving little or no servicable information.....dag is pi$$ed off big time, at the World by the sound of it!! And ramsrus2 you make some good comment. From my perspective I just wish that my other half had of stayed at school, just saw on the ABL website that they are offering employment at $75K plus a super package for a bean counter. I suppose with that in mind I'm more confident now that the money is starting to open up for the ABL and we will see better fan friendly venues, better player friendly fields and a more professional look overall. At least that's what I read into that, I mean if they can pay $75,000 for an accountant and the CEO and his Assistant CEO must be on significantly more, then that has to be a sign that the money is out there. Maybe even enough in the tank to send perfeckt out his hat!! Let's hope that everyone can work together and that we see the ACES bigger and better as each season passes, on and off the field.
By the way and just out of interest, does anybody out there know what sort of money the players make for the season? Maybe there is a player out there who could post an answer to my question. If it's not being too personal.
GO ACES
|
|
|
|
Post by texasleaguer on Jun 11, 2011 21:58:15 GMT 10
It's great to see a CEO of ABL club on the forum, TY Windsor. It would be great to see some other ABL teams direct input on the forum.
Dag.. (No Comment but you are aptly named)
ABL Player payments ? very little except for transport and meal money costs. Mainly love of the game and desire to help expand the sport like the rest of us Volunteers that spend many unpaid hours in the game. Right KC ?
On another note, as I forecast sometime back on this forum, jointly marketing of ABL/ Junior Recruitment ( Aussie Tball) is the way of our baseball future
GO BANDITS
|
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 11, 2011 22:18:45 GMT 10
It's great to see a CEO of ABL club on the forum, TY Windsor. It would be great to see some other ABL teams direct input on the forum. Dag.. (No Comment but you are aptly named) ABL Player payments ? very little except for transport and meal money costs. Mainly love of the game and desire to help expand the sport like the rest of us Volunteers that spend many unpaid hours in the game. Right KC ? On another note, as I forecast sometime back on this forum, jointly marketing of ABL/ Junior Recruitment ( Aussie Tball) is the way of our baseball future GO BANDITS Interesting reply from you texasleaguer......sounds like you have some good information. And by the tone of your post, closely involved with the League. How do the players do what they do if you are correct. This seaon it looks like it will almost be a full time gig for 3 months. If what you are saying is true it doesn't make sense that the ABL can pay significant salaries to the office staff but the players work for nothing.....what about the coaches? Are they paid like the office staff or the players? More and more it sounds like the rumours have some substance ie. more overseas players and coaches who, I presume, will be paid for by someone else while the CEO, his assistant and the new accountant take a collective $375K (assumed) out of the coffers. Then the state General Managers who you would imagine make at least as much as the advertised accountant's job, $75K. And yes I agree, Aussie T looks T Rific  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2011 22:59:52 GMT 10
I have great admiration for the work that you do Tex, but I reckon you’re missing the point being expressed in some of these comments.
There seems to be an undercurrent of real disenchantment that - if representative of the baseball community generally - needs to be addressed by officials of the new league.
Yes, Australian baseball has to a substantial degree relied upon and benefited from the work of volunteers or part-timers. There are plenty of them around clubs and baseball organisations, and they are wonderful contributors to our amateur version of the sport.
But the new league is a professional enterprise. While its resources are finite, it nevertheless has a funding pool that should surely enable people to be reasonably recompensed for their efforts and provided with an incentive to get better at what they do.
The demands on players, coaches and administrative staff are considerable. While front office staff appear to be doing OK out of the deal – as parentofone points out – there are many others who are somehow being expected to make considerable sacrifice in finances and time to help establish the league and keep it viable.
In the Orwellian world, some are more equal than others. Seems to me that the same fictional mantra is being applied to the Australian Baseball League. An accountant can pick up 75 grand, yet there are peanuts for the coaches and players and there is nothing for qualified media and communications people who just might be able to make a contribution.
Why should any coach, or player, or commentator, or administrator who is bringing particular skills and expertise to a purportedly professional organisation be expected to provide services for nothing (or, even worse, for less than nothing)?
Without those people, there IS no ABL team and there IS no future. This has to be a team effort, where we respect and we place value on all of the various services and skills that need to be applied for the league to have a snowball's chance of success.
Expecting (or hoping) that volunteers and baseball lifers will prop up a professional, funded Australian Baseball League is a bit rich.
|
|
|
|
Post by aussieump on Jun 12, 2011 4:53:11 GMT 10
Whilst all this talk is about pay etc.. why not ask the ABL why the Umpires were paid so little last year? I know people dont like umpires etc but they are needed for the game and there are definitly some out there worth more then a slap in the face ($60 per game).
|
|
|
|
Post by ramsrus2 on Jun 12, 2011 8:32:52 GMT 10
If umpires got $60 a game, what did scorers get? They are also needed for a game. At $60 per game, if you umpired 4 games a weekend, you would earn $240.00 for the weekend. You'd be earning more than from what I understand a number of players earned for a series!
|
|
|
|
Post by gj on Jun 12, 2011 8:42:14 GMT 10
$60 for an ABL umpire.
Don't they get that for a club game now?
There would be no argument from the players that if you pay peanuts you get Monkeys. We need to drag the umpiring standard up to where the players are, paying them $60 per game won't do that in a hurry.
As for Dag's comments about the ABF & monkeys. I think the monkeys have also taken offense at the comment.
|
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 12, 2011 11:41:34 GMT 10
HMMM.............We have now heard from the Aces GM that they "will be working on confirming the coaching staff soon" and further that "there have never been conversations with another manager" So reading between the lines Phil Dale will be the 2011/12 manager.
Now according to dag if Phil Dale is head coach Hogan, Allen, Shanahan, Clarkson, Deeble, Burke, Cornish, Maurer & Dihm will all have jobs to do. Whilst I recognise most of those names I'm not sure what they all do? Can anyone answer that for me?
Next we have texasleaguer telling us that the players make very little except for transport & meal expenses. Again reading between the lines texas is neither a player or coach so we are still getting this information 2nd hand (with respect).
Then aussieump tells us that the men in blue make $60.00/game and ramsrus2 argues that they still make $240.00 for the weekend. Well that would be great except that games are not always played over the weekend, try Thursdays, Fridays and in some instances Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays. People stacking shelves at the supermarkets on the weekends make more money!!
And then again from ramsrus2 questioning what the scorers make? I would imagine free entry & car parking and a cup of tea if someone gets time to deliver it.
So in summary.....The accountant gets $75K, Phil Dale will be managing the Aces with all of his coaching staff still intact, but we haven't heard that confirmed from Phil or any of the coaches......the players get paid very little.....but we haven't got that confirmed from any of the players............the umpires are being held to ranson @ $60.00/game....still not sure if the coaches make any sort of money, but they must or they wouldn't still be doing the job would they? And the scorers are doing what they do for next to nothing, as always. Good on them.
I would love to hear first hand on this forum from any players, coaches, umpires (apart from aussieump) scorers and volunteers with opinions on what the ABL will be like next season and in the future. We can all speculate but I would love some first hand information from the "coal face"
|
|
|
|
Post by aussieump on Jun 12, 2011 11:57:15 GMT 10
Well I never got to umpire in the ABL last season but I talk to a lot of the guys often. From what I hear is that there will be 2 of the top umpires who worked in the League not returning to umpire this up coming season. And they both hail from the same state who the ABL refused to put anyone else on the field instead of the 3 umpire panel. Good luck to the rookie umpires who will be thrown into the deep end this upcoming season!!!!!
And maybe they will spend a lil bit of money and get them some decent uniforms instead of cheap see thru shirts and mismatched coloured hats!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by philallen on Jun 12, 2011 14:14:42 GMT 10
Hi forum readers.......I'm reluctant to get involved in this debate but figured if I stick to the facts as I know them then no damage can be done. And I will only offer information on things that I know are fact. If Phil Dale is reappointed as manager of the Aces I would be happy to work for him again. Not sure what dag was alluding to? Is she saying that it is an "old boys" club? If so that couldn't be further from the truth. I would like to believe that everyone on the staff bring something significant to the table. As far as salary for the players and coaches is concerned I will confine my comments to my own situation. If I didn't have a very understanding employer there is no way that I could even consider being involved as a coach, and even with their understanding approach I am left out of pocket at the end of the day. That should not be taken as a complaint as I went into last season fully aware of the facts. But sometime, somewhere it is all going to get too hard. As parentofone suggested, maybe I too should have stayed at school!! I hope that everyone that supported the Aces last season gets back on board and that it is a great season for both the Aces & the league. At this stage I'm still waiting to hear from the club with plans for the upcoming season although I understand that the wheels are in motion. Once a manager has been confirmed the remainder of the coaching staff will be offered contracts then the process of building a roster will begin. Hopefully everything will fall into place.
Phil Allen
|
|
|
|
Post by texasleaguer on Jun 12, 2011 16:41:12 GMT 10
Volunteerism is both a blessing and a curse KC mate.
There is no doubt the ABL franchises rely heavily on Volunteers at this point. I agree with KC for sure this can only go so far as the ABL progresses. Pro sport is just that, paying people to do a job properly, either on/off the field must happen.
(1st Hand News ) As a Bandits Volunteer, I love it or I would not do it, if time demand increased for my role, of course I would expect to be compensated on going. I was compensated enough 1st season to make me happy watching ABL games for free ( parking,entry,food,drinks)
(2nd Hand News ) Peter Wermuth told me direct when I asked last season about more wide spread Media Budget . ( Not 1st year, ABL relying on the club/volunteer network but will enlarge the budget in future seasons ) . Bottom Line if ABL Franchises are not Profitable, they will cease to exist.
( 2nd Hand News ). I'm fairly sure the head coach of Bandits last year didn't do the job because he needed the Money but mainly for his love of the game and future of it in Aussie.
Another Poster on this forum might confirm that.
Last year was tough it seems on the budget for both Bandits and ACES due to washouts, rent still had to be paid and not much income when no game on !
I hope next season will be better for ACES and all ABL franchises, but for sure I agree with KC, The League cannot rely on Volunteer networks long term.
|
|
|
|
Post by ramsrus2 on Jun 12, 2011 18:42:58 GMT 10
parentofone, I enjoyed reading your post. It made me smile in a good way. A sense of humour is definately required in baseball.
Personally, I am sick of all the politics. I just want to enjoy baseball. If I had to be paid for all the time I have devoted to baseball, I would be rich today and I'm sure I speak for the large majority of baseball lovers.
|
|
|
|
Post by parentofone on Jun 12, 2011 20:17:10 GMT 10
thanks ramsrus2. I'm enjoying this also, although I must admit I was going to let it drop because it's getting into areas I don't completely understand. However as my field is sports marketing and PR's I do have a feel for many of the issues discussed here. And even though it appears to be a small demographic of contributors we are all no doubt passionate, and curious!
OK... time for some digging. Players earn less than $240.00 for a series, whilst I'm not questioning this figure rams, how can they afford to continue?
Texas states that the Bandit's Head Coach, I'm assuming he's refering to David Nilsson, "didn't do the job because he needs the money" NO KIDDING......if the players are being paid less than $240.00 per series I'm guessing they aren't doing it for the money either.
philallen, who I know is a coach who has been around baseball for a long time, tells us that "I am left out of pocket at the end of the day" so I'm guessing he's not doing it for the money either. Get the underlying theme?
Then I read that washouts at the Bandits and Aces made it tough on the budget as rent still had to be paid.
Well it appears that the tough budget hasn't filtered down to the new bean counter who will be making $75K plus. And I'm assuming that the office staff of the ABL aren't feeling the toughness of the budget to any degree either.
That leaves the players, the coaches, the umpires and the scorers to date who I can figure are copping it in the neck. I have an awareness of Australian cricket and it's support network and would point out that the state based competitions draw very poorly, open in huge stadiums around the country, and carry a support staff well in excess of the ABL clubs. Yet the players, coaches, medical and support staff are well rewarded.
How is that possible, well, as I understand it they are supported financially by the ACB. Who draw hundreds of thousands of fans through the gates and the funding filters down allowing development from the ground up.
Obviously baseball in Australia is not in such a fortunate position.....OH, hang on a minute MLB. That's right, they're supporting the ABL. Shoot....I thought I was on to something?
Back to you texas, ramsrus, aussieump, philallen, winsor, dag, kc
|
|
I haven't seen that anywhere. And the scuttlebut around the Winter League is that Phil Dale hasn't been appointed as coach and I think that would be a terrible mistake. I'm also looking forward to the start of the season, don't get me wrong, but it's not that far away and not much appears to be in place. Hope I'm wrong and if I am it would be nice to see some evidence of what is going on. As with last season I'll be right behind the duggout cheering the boys on, but it won't be the same if Phil Dale isn't calling the shots.
