Melbourne Aces
Current season: 2015–16 Australian Baseball League season | |
 | |
| Team Details | |
|---|---|
| League | Australian Baseball League |
| City | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Ballpark | Melbourne Ballpark |
| Year founded | 2009 |
| Inaugural season | 2010–11 |
| Postseason | |
| ABL Championships | 0 |
| Minor premierships | 0 |
| Uniforms | |
| Colours |
Red Midnight blue White |
| Management | |
| Manager | Joe Vavra |
| Owner | Major League Baseball, Australian Baseball Federation |
| General Manager | Justin Huber [1] |
| Assistant GM | Christine LaPlante |
The Melbourne Aces is a professional baseball team in the Australian Baseball League based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Their home field is Melbourne Ballpark in Laverton.
History
On Friday, 20 August 2010 it was announced that ex-Australian Baseball player Philip Dale would take up the head coaching role at Melbourne Aces.[2]
On Tuesday, 12 October 2010, it was announced by newly appointed General Manager Windsor Knox that the Aces would play home games at a redeveloped Melbourne Showgrounds.[3]
In their inaugural season the Melbourne Aces qualified for the finals before being defeated in the semi finals series against the Adelaide Bite.
On 24 March 2011 the team announced Jet Couriers as their naming rights sponsor for the 2011/12 season.[4]
On 13 July 2012, after much rumors and internet hype, the Melbourne Aces finally announced that they would be moving from their old home field, The Showgrounds, to their new home field Melbourne Ballpark in Laverton.[5] The move has annoyed and ostracized many Aces supporters from the South Eastern suburbs, but it was the only viable option for them to continue playing in the ABL. The Showgrounds was deemed to be an unsuitable field to play on in the 3rd season. The main reasons being the Aces would not be the sole occupants of the field, having to compete with Carnivals, Horse shows, Music Festivals etc. The Showgrounds were also alleged to be booked out until late December, meaning the Aces would have to find a different home venue for the first half of the season.
Current Roster
As of 17 July 2012, Melbourne have not filled their 35-man roster. This roster will be reduced to a 22-man active roster for each series.
Major League pitcher Peter Moylan did not take the field for the Aces in season 2010/11; he was touted to make an appearance in January 2011 for the Aces, but was required back in the US.[6]
Vs ABL sides
| Games played | Games won | Games lost | Games Tied | Series played | Series won | Series lost | Series drawn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clubs | ||||||||
| -vs- Adelaide Bite | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| -vs- Brisbane Bandits | 24 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| -vs- Canberra Cavalry | 17 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| -vs- Perth Heat | 25 | 7 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| -vs- Sydney Blue Sox | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
References
- ↑ Silkstone, Dan (24 October 2010). "Let the 'show' begin". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ↑ Stockman, Jennifer (20 August 2010). "Aces set to soar as Dale takes the Pilot's seat". Melbourne Aces. Australian Baseball Federation. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- ↑ "New Home For Melbourne Baseball Hits Fever Pitch" (Press release). Government of Victoria (Australia), Minister for Sport & Recreation. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- ↑ "Aces announce Jet Couriers as major sponsor". 24 March 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
- ↑ "Aces New Home is the Melbourne Ballpark". 13 July 2012.
- ↑ Windley, Matt (29 October 2010). "Major League Baseball pitcher Peter Moylan will play for the Melbourne Aces". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Corporation. Retrieved 12 November 2010.