2007 BASEBALL AUSTRALIA DIAMOND AWARDS Preparations are underway for the 2007 BADA Awards   Since their inception two years ago, the BADAs have proven to be the night of nights amongst the Australian baseball fraternity - and with our summer season underway, that means all the glitz and glamour is set to return in early 2007.   Not only do theses awards honour a range of achievements and general excellence in Australian baseball, but it is a fantastic opportunity to meet, greet, and ‘touch base’ (pardon the pun) with those long lost comrades in a sometimes emotional and  truly memorable experience enjoyed by all!   The 2007 BADAs will be held on Sunday, 11 February 2007 at the Rooty Hill RSL, Sydney. This prestigious event will commence with pre-dinner drinks from 6:00pm, and then onto a three course meal as the ABF recognise outstanding achievements in the following categories:                  Hall of Fame Induction(s)                Life Membership                President’s Awards                Player of the Year – Open Men                Player of the Year – Open Women                Player of the Year - Youth                Coach of the Year                Official of the Year                Volunteer of the Year                Administrator of the Year                Club of the Year                State/Territory Association of the Year   So…Would you like to become part of the celebrations to honour those most deserving of recognition in baseball, the sport we all love?  Would you like to share the night with Australian baseball’s best, including the current Men’s National Team?   If so, mark your diaries, get on the phone and call Michelle Anderson on 07-5509 4117 or email: michelle.anderson@baseball.org.au to pre-book your tickets.  Orders are being taken now and we suggest that you get in quick, as gauging from previous events, seats do sell quickly.  Tickets are $99 per person and orders for tables of 10 can also be made.   But wait there’s more…   WHY NOT TRIPLE YOUR BADA FUN WITH THE OCEANIC QUALIFIER EVENTS? The 2007 BADAs will coincide with the BCO Qualifying Tournament between Australia and New Zealand to be held at Blacktown Olympic Park from 8 to 12 February 2007.   This ‘best-of-five’ series will be held to determine which Oceanic nation has the right to proceed to the final stage of Olympic qualification prior to Beijing 2008.     As reining Silver Medallists the Aussies have a lot to live up to after Athens 2004, and despite entering the qualifier as red-hot favourites, will be holding nothing back in their relentless pursuit of a return to the Olympic dais. With as many as eight major leaguers in contention for Australia in this event, it is sure to be one of the best line ups of home-grow stars on display in recent years.   And the action does stop with our senior team either!   At the same time our AA squad will be in the midst of a hard-fought qualifying series as they take on teams from New Zealand and New Caledonia in order to qualify for the 2007 U/17 World Championships. Why not come along to see what the next wave of Aussie stars has to offer?   So set you sights on Sydney next February as the ABF turns a ‘triple-play’ with the Baseball Australia Diamond Awards and BCO qualifiers.   Stay tuned for updates on our website baseball.com.au  as we look forward to celebrating this exhilarating week of baseball with you.         This publication is intended purely as an information service to Australian Baseball Federation members and subscribers. If you have received this message in error, or wish to unsubscribe to future publications, please click here and reply with the email subject heading "UNSUBSCRIBE".