Press Release Australian Baseball League
SYDNEY. The 2012 ConocoPhillips ABL All-Star Game presented by Be the Influence: Tackling Binge Drinking will be hosted by Victoria at the newly refurbished Melbourne Ballpark, home to the Jet Couriers Melbourne Aces, on Sunday, 16 December.
The Australian Baseball League’s second annual All-Star Game will once again feature Australia’s National Baseball Team in a nine-inning game against the league’s best import players from across the globe.
Three of the world’s leading professional baseball leagues are expected to be represented at the event, including players from Major League Baseball, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League and the Korean Baseball Organisation.
Last year’s All-Star game was televised in over 300 million households in over 45 countries, and this year’s event is expected to have a similar international reach.
“The newly-refurbished Melbourne Ballpark is now the leading baseball/softball facility in the country, contributing to Melbourne’s network of sporting infrastructure that is a major competitive advantage in attracting quality events,” said Mr Hugh Delahunty, Minister for Sport and Recreation.
“That’s why the Victorian Government is proud to have invested $200,000 to rejuvenate this important state asset and to provide a new home for the Melbourne Aces to build on the success of their last season.”
Mr. Delahunty also thanked funding partners Melbourne Ballpark Committee of Management and the Melbourne Aces for their combined investment of $90,000 to the project.
The completed redevelopments at the Ballpark include a new playing surface, home run fence and public address system, upgraded corporate facilities as well as improvements to the dugouts, player’s changerooms, spectator seating, function space, and public and family areas.
The Department of Sport and Recreation Victoria donated $40,000 specifically for the All-Star Game at Melbourne Ballpark.
Melbourne Aces General Manager Windsor Knox said, “We have been working with the Victorian Government to secure this major ABL event and are proud to be hosting this event at our new home The Melbourne Ballpark in Laverton.”
