PLAY BALL
Geelong’s Korean baseball pitch
GEELONG is in a commanding position to lure an all-Korean baseball team that will join the Australian Baseball League this summer.
Positive high level talks have already been held between the league, local powerbrokers, state politicians and the Korean club, with key fig- ures visiting the region “a number of times” to view Geelong’s baseball facilities and Deakin University.
But there is competition, with Geelong being one of three Australian regional cities in the running to host the club.
If successful, the club is likely to sign a three-year deal and will play 20 of its 40 ABL season matches at the Waurn Ponds Baseball Centre. It would also put the region on the baseball map, with plans to broadcast the club’s games into Korea, reaching an audience of more than 10 million people.
Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said City Hall representatives had met Korean baseball officials “a number of times to show them our baseball facilities, links with Deakin University, Avalon Airport and our region”.
“Geelong has been identified as a preferred location in Australia. If successful, it would be a three-year deal,” Cr Harwood said.
“Our facilities, stand-out reputation for hosting top international sporting events and fantastic liveability make us an ideal choice for the allKorean baseball team and we would welcome them with open arms.
“We have developed an attractive support package to encourage Geelong to be selected as a host city.”
Cr Harwood said about 45 people from Korea would stay in the Geelong region for about 100 days, from November to February, if the Waurn Ponds Baseball Centre is chosen as their home location.
“This would include the baseball team, coaching staff, executives and Korean media,” he said.
“There would be many great benefits of attracting an international baseball team to Geelong, including providing great exposure for our region to Asia — all their games would be broadcast back to Korea.
“It would also provide a huge buzz for baseball and sports fans in our community,” Cr Harwood said.
Geelong has long been discussed as a destination for A-League, Big Bash, National Basketball League and Super Netball expansion.
But baseball will be the first sport outside of the AFL to give Geelong a team of its own if this deal goes through.
The Geelong Advertiser understands that the State Government has also been in discussions with the Korean club, however Minister for Sport and Lara MP John Eren wouldn’t go into any details about the bid.
“Our track record proves that nothing is off the agenda when it comes to bringing the world’s best to Geelong,” Mr Eren said.
“We will continue to target the big events that attract visitors, create jobs and deliver the best possible value for our state.”
It’s understood the other two locations being explored by the Korean team are based in regional New South Wales.
Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale said Geelong remained in the plans for an expansion club, even if it proved unsuccessful in its bid to host the all-Korean side.
“Geelong remains a high interest city and destination for an ABL team whether through this option or longer term its own independent, stand-alone team,” Vale said.
“This proposed expansion team and its management is considering Geelong as one of three possible locations to base the team and they have visited Geelong and been impressed with the baseball and accommodation facilities, the city and surrounding areas and Geelong’s sporting history, in particular through the Geelong Cats in the AFL.
“If they enter the ABL, this team also wants to engage the local community and consider how it can improve business links and connections between the city it is based in and Korea.”
The team is expected to have all 40 of its games including 20 from Geelong broadcast live into Korea on TV.
Over eight million people attended Korean Baseball Organisation games in 2017, more than the 6.73 million fans who attended AFL games last year.
“A decision on this team coming into the ABL and where they will be based is expected to be made in the next four weeks,” Vale said.
“This would be an Australian sporting first to have an Asian team based in Australia and competing in an Austra- lian national league to win, being a team for two markets — Korea and its Australian destination.”
The timing would also coincide well with Air Asia’s first inbound flight to Avalon Airport, which is scheduled to commence from late October.
Geelong has history with international baseball teams coming to play and train.
In 2006 and 2007, Japanese team Chiba Lotte Marines trained in Geelong and went on to win the Japan Series Championship in 2010.