The success of expansion teams Auckland Tuatara (New Zealand) and Geelong-Korea has attracted interest to the Australian Baseball League (ABL) and may result in a ninth team participating in the 2020-21 season, according to Baseball Australia's CEO Cam Vale.
Speaking through the League's official website, Vale said the "increased interest" in the ABL comes "not just from players but groups representing teams."
Reportedly, interest comes from Major League Baseball (MLB), Taiwan and Japan.
Vale said that several teams are "hoping to provide increased development opportunities following baseball shutting down due to COVID-19 early in the year."
Vale added that the team model "would need to meet the rules all ABL teams compete under."
The ABL 2020-21 will feature an Australian and an International Conference. The International Conference is likely to be based in New Zealand, at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium. The Adelaide Giants and Brisbane Bandits will join Auckland and Geelong after playing each other home and away in Australia.
The participants in the Australian Conference will be the Melbourne Aces, Perth Heat, Canberra Cavalry and Sydney Blue Sox.
On a final note, Cam Vale added: "Increasing the international awareness of the ABL via broadcast is also important to this season, and showcasing the talented players we have in Australia”.
The fact former MLB All-Star Manny Ramirez signed for the Sydney Blue Sox is going to increase international awareness.
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