On the ball for stadium

A BOUTIQUE multi-purpose stadium has been hailed as a way to make the city the home of baseball in Australia.

Proposals to build a stadium with a capacity of between 10,000 and 12,000 have ramped up this week as the Bulletin revealed Owen Park in Southport was believed to be the Coast's ideal site.

Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale believes his sport would fit into the picture nicely.

Outside of the costly of temporary conversion of football fields, Australia currently has no stadium suitable for major baseball events such as an international series featuring Japan and South Korea, or the World Baseball Classic

Perth will soon have the nation’s biggest baseball venue with a capacity of almost 5000.

Vale said a larger multi-purpose venue on the Coast could mean the city would be the centre for international series.

He revealed there was “serious Japanese interest” in basing an ABL team on the Gold Coast that would blend foreign and homegrown talent, while a similar model could also work with Taiwanese support.

The lease on Baseball Australia’s headquarters on Chevron Island is up for renewal next August.

Vale said the stadium could ensure the Gold Coast remained at the heart of the sport in Australia.