The league, part of Baseball Australia’s strategic commitment to growing women’s baseball, will be considered following extensive stakeholder engagement and the formation of a working committee of stakeholders across both business and baseball.

Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale said the new league would be a significant step forward for women’s baseball in Australia.

“This is an important and necessary step forward for Australian Baseball and the growth and success of Women’s Baseball,” Vale said.

“The Baseball Australia Strategic Plan set last year prioritised women’s baseball, and now following this year’s Women’s World Cup the time is right to drive this to the next level.
“A Women’s Australian Baseball League represents a key initiative of that strategic plan.”

Vale said Baseball Australia had the advantage of learning from other sports that had recently launched women’s leagues.

“The importance of wide-ranging consultation with women at all levels of sport and business leaders is a key outcome the Board of Baseball Australia wants to see before the creation of this league,” he said.

“Consideration on the timing of the league, structure and format, innovation and input from broadcast partners are crucial factors to the league’s success.

“One of the key goals discussed by the board was to ensure the Women’s ABL is a sustainable and standalone league, which has no bearing on the success of the Men’s ABL.”

Vale said the ABL teams had thrown their support behind a women’s league at a recent meeting of owners.

“Played in Australia - but with both a domestic and international outlook – the Women’s ABL gives Baseball Australia an opportunity to continue our growth and alignment as highlighted by the recently restructured and expanded Australian Baseball League,” Vale said.

Baseball Australia will be calling for expressions of interest for key industry leaders to form a working committee commencing in November 2018.

The approximate key milestones will include:
• Formation of a Women’s Working Committee (November 2018)
• A roadmap and structure for the Women’s ABL (March 2019)
• Australian Women’s & Youth Women’s Championships in Canberra (14-21 April 2019)