ABF Update September to October 2010
ABF UPDATE THROUGH SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2010
Hello members! We hope you fared well through September and October and I must apologise for not sending September’s on its own – very busy at the ABF!
The count-down is on of course to the start of the new Australian Baseball League, so I hope you are ready for that and have considered membership in support of your team. Visit www.theabl.com.au for more information. Exciting times for everyone huh!
There is one thing that we really must say and that is, that our sincere condolences go out to Mark, Craig and Grant Shipley, their extended family and friends, who would be feeling a huge void with the loss of their Mum – our thoughts are with you guys.
NEW ERA CAP BECOMES THE “OFFICIAL HEADWEAR” OF THE ABF
The ABF recently announced New Era Cap Co Inc (the international headwear and apparel brand and official cap of MLB) will become the official headwear provider for the ABF. As part of the landmark agreement, New Era’s iconic brand is set to form an integral part of the ABF’s national team apparel range.
This monumental partnership for the ABF will see the New Era brand worn whenever Australian baseball teams don the green and gold, both domestically and internationally, as the Australian women’s baseball team and the Australian youth under 19 team did recently when they won a silver medal at the 2010 Women’s Baseball World Cup and the 2010 IBAF Youth Baseball World Cup respectively.
With Australia fast becoming an international leader ‘on the field’, the ABF’s General Manager of Baseball Operations, Brett Pickett, said “the Federation’s alliance with New Era signifies a major achievement for the organisation off the field, as well. The ABF could not be more thrilled to unveil their partnership with New Era. New Era is an international leader and innovator in headwear and we are delighted to be able to provide both our players and fans alike, with access to the best quality apparel and we look forward to working with them to achieve our objectives both on and off the field.”
With the Federation also set to launch the Australian Baseball League with partner Major League Baseball, in November this year, Pickett claims their newest joint initiative with New Ear “is exciting, as we embark on this thrilling new chapter for our sport”.
“New Era has a long-standing relationship with the game of baseball, so working with the Australian Baseball Federation to bring quality product to its fans, is a great thing for both parties,” said Jim Grundtisch, New Era Cap Senior Vice President. “Our partnership with the ABF further reinforces New Era’s commitment to growing our brand on a global level.”
In addition to its designation as “official headwear” of the Australian Baseball Federation, New Era will also work with the ABF to deliver a range of supporters’ headwear merchandise to each of the ABF programs, providing Australian baseball fans with an unsurpassed range of team Australia supporters’ merchandise and products.
New Era will also receive branding and promotion throughout events and publications of the ABF.
NATIONAL INSURANCE PROGRAM
For information on the ABF Members’ National Insurance Program for 2010 / 2011, please visit http://www.willis.com.au/abf. From here you can download a generic copy of a Certificate of Currency. Should your council require specific details on the certificate of currency, this can be arranged via Willis Australasia. You can also download the insurance claim forms and view information on the insurance cover provided.
BENEFITS OF RENTING WITH EUROPCAR
The ABF has in place an excellent car rental deal for its valued members with Europcar. If you fancy a drive in a sporty Audi A5 Convertible, or you need a family car for your next holiday, or how about even a car for business purposes? Well, Europcar has the right vehicle for you!
Europcar is one of Australia’s most popular providers of car rental services, operating a large fleet of quality vehicles across a nationwide network of over 133 locations.
Europcar Australia has a fleet of over 8,000 new and current model vehicles, including a large number of brand-new Audi vehicles (A3, A4, A5 Cabriolet and A6).
Europcar enjoys its status of preferred car rental partner of Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue Airlines. This relationship incorporates the airline’s loyalty program “Velocity” allowing you to earn points as well as redeem points for car rental.
Benefit from a corporate rate which is a constant low rate all year round (including public and school holidays!)
Your damage liability in case of an accident or damage is reduced to only $770 for most passenger vehicles (normally $3,850).
Europcar offers you free membership to its “Privilege Service” program: faster reservation, international recognition, priority counter service, your car will be located in a designated privilege parking bay, no signature required resulting in even faster service, just show your drivers license, pick up your keys and go!
How to Book:
Bookings can be conveniently accessed through www.europcar.com.au making the reservation process simple and cost effective for you. Simply enter Contract ID number 50043122 into the “Promotional Code” box to obtain your corporate discount. Alternatively, call 1300-555 242 and quote the Contract ID number.
UMPIRING SUCCESS
It is extremely gratifying for the ABF to advise some good news regarding Australian umpires officiating in professional baseball in the USA. Brett Robson, Jon Byrne and Travis Hatch all umpired AA last season and received their evaluation reports for the season. As a result, out of 45 umpires in AA, Brett is rated third, Jon fifth and Travis 22nd. With these ratings, Brett and Jon will most likely be elevated to AAA for the 2011 season. This is a fantastic achievement for all three of them and we wish them well for the season ahead.
PRESIDENT OF BASEBALL NT RESIGN’S POSITION
At 28 September 2010 Mr Gary Lambert resigned his position as President of Baseball NT. We hope to be shortly notified of a replacement.
BASEBALL VICTORIA STAFF MOVEMENT
Baseball Victoria’s General Manager, Brett Hidson, welcomes Damian Shanahan to staff as the ABF’s Victorian-based High Performance Manager.
Baseball Victoria will also be hiring a Communications Coordinator shortly – see advertisement below.
With these two new hires, Baseball Victoria’s office will become more resourceful for clubs and associations and hope to be better positions to provide advice, support and information that will improve clubs’ capacity to be a better ‘shop front’ for baseball.
Baseball Victoria has also appointed Head Coaches for the Victorian Provincial, Under 23 and Women’s teams as follows:
Ü Provincial – David Hargreaves
Ü Under 23 – Kerry Gassner
Ü Womens – Dean Anglin (Blue) and Arthur Papanicolaou (White)
KELLYVILLE COLTS GALA DAY – DATE CHANGE
Due to a clash with the Under 9s Gala Day, the Kellyville Colts Gala Day has been moved to 21 November 2010. [Event Details]
NEW STATEACADEMY FOR VICTORIA
With the closing of the Baseball program at the Victorian Institute of Sport back in February, Baseball Victoria and the ABF has agreed terms to launch a replacement program in 2011.
The Victorian Baseball Academy (“VBA”) is a joint venture between Baseball Victoria and the ABF. The program will be headed by Damian Shanahan with further details to be released in the coming months.
LAKEMACQUARIE MASTERS GAMES
The Lake Macquarie Sports Council will be running the Lake Macquarie Masters Games from 19 to 20 March 2011 and one of their events will be Baseball. If you are interested, visit www.lakesport.com.au for information and registration details.
DATES OF INTEREST:
November 2010
1: Recreation Day N TAS only
2: Melbourne Cup Day VIC
21: Kellyville Kolts Baseball Gala Day
30: Annual General Meeting of the Australian Baseball Federation (Council and Board only)
December 2010:
11: Start of SA, NT, QLD schools holiday
17: Start of TAS, WA schools holiday
18: Start of ACT, NSW, VIC schools holiday
23: ABF office closure for Christmas period (to 3 Jan)
25: Christmas Day
27: Boxing Day
28: Proclamation Day SA
January 2011:
3: ABF Office open for new year (from 23 Dec).
24: Start of BCO AA Championship, Auckland, New Zealand (Australia’s participation yet to be confirmed) (to 30th)
26: Start of 2011 Little League Victorian Summer Championship (to 28th)
28: End of 2011 Little League Victorian Summer Championship (from 26th)
30: End of BCO AA Championship
June 2011:
11: Start of Baseball Victoria’s Senior State Winter Championships in Geelong (to 13th)
13: End of Baseball Victoria’s Senior State Winter Championships (from 11th)
July 2011:
2: Start of Baseball Victoria’s Under 18 State Winter Championships in Geelong (to 3rd)
2: Start of Baseball Victoria’s Under 14 State Winter Championships in Ballarat (to 3rd)
3: End of Baseball Victoria’s Under 18 State Winter Championships (from 2nd)
3: End of Baseball Victoria’s Under 14 State Winter Championships (from 2nd)
16: Start of Baseball Victoria’s Under 16 State Winter Championships in Mildura (to 17th)
16: Start of Baseball Victoria’s Little League State Winter Championships in Frankston (to 17th)
17: End of Baseball Victoria’s Under 16 State Winter Championships (from 16th)
17: End of Baseball Victoria’s Little League State Winter Championships (to 17th)
October 2011:
7: 13th Australian Masters Games, Adelaide, SA
16: End of Australian Masters Games
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