The American Association of Professional Baseball released the news of a new partnership with the Australian Baseball League. The two leagues will collaborate on numerous on-field and off-field projects. The announcement came just mere weeks after the ABL season began.
Commissioner of the American Association, Joshua Schaub stated in today’s press release: “As the American Association continues to position itself as the top MLB Partner League, forming a solid long-term relationship with the Australian Baseball League is important on many fronts.”
Of course, the American Association became a Partner League of Major League Baseball during the 2020-2021 offseason along with the Frontier League, Atlantic League, and Pioneer Leagues within independent baseball. The AAPB operates a 100-game season that runs from May-September.
Schaub continued: “Many of our current and former players have played in Australia and have had great success and experiences in the league. We look forward to exposing our fanbase to the excitement of the ABL and working together to better both leagues.”
The Australian League, founded in 2010, operates from November and runs through February in both Australia and New Zealand. The league features homegrown talent and notable prospects and MiLB players from all around the world. This year, Austin Ross of the Philadelphia Phillies joined the ABL after missing his MiLB season due to the COVID-19 cancellation.
Per the release, the agreement signed by both organizations will see the two leagues collaborating in areas including video streaming and marketing – opening doors for the potential exchange of personnel between seasons of players, umpires, coaching staff and club administrators. This will be the first time the AAPB has entered an agreement with a league that operates outside of the North American summer season.
The agreement will include the American Association streaming select games from the ABL 2020-2021 season on the league’s streaming platform at www.aabaseball.tv and ABL will return the favor during the North American summer season.
Chief Executive of Baseball Australia, Cam Vale stated: “Providing streaming content into both markets is an immediate first step. Partnerships like this have great potential and intent. The measure of its success will be in using the experience of our league and teams. It offers the potential for 12 months of ongoing engagement and cross-over that can allow for development of players, coaches, umpires, and club staff.”
Further meetings between the American Association and the ABL are planned for early 2021 to explore all available opportunities between the two leagues.
PRESS RELEASE LINK.
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