2010 Claxton Shield

Last updated

2010 Claxton Shield
Claxton Shield 2010.png
The logo for the 2010 Claxton Shield
SportBaseball
Defending championsPerth Heat (2009)
Duration6 November 2009 7 February 2010
Number of teams5
Regular season
Season champions Victoria Aces (17–7)
  Second place South Australia (14–10)
  Third place New South Wales Patriots (14–10)
Championship series
ChampionsVictoria Aces (22nd title)
  Runners-upSouth Australia
Seasons

The 2010 Claxton Shield was the 76th Claxton Shield tournament, the premier baseball competition in Australia, and was held from 6 November 2009 to 7 February 2010. It was hailed as the precursor to the new Australian Baseball League that would start in the place of the Claxton Shield in late 2010 to early 2011. [1] The Victoria Aces defeated South Australia two games to nil in the championship series to win the tournament; this was the 22nd time the Claxton Shield had been awarded to a Victorian team. [2] The competition was sponsored by Domino's Pizza. [3] [4]

Contents

At the conclusion of the regular season, the Victoria Aces finished in first place with a 17–7 record, earning home-field advantage for the three-game championship series. South Australia hosted the three-game semi-final series against the New South Wales Patriots. Both teams finished with a 14–10 record. The Perth Heat (12–12) and Queensland Rams (3–21) both failed to qualify for the finals. [5]

Overview

In June 2009, it was announced that the rights to the Claxton Shield had been sold to a new Australian Baseball League (ABL), with ownership split between Major League Baseball's 75 percent share and the 25 percent share owned by the Australian Baseball Federation. The 2010 tournament was considered preparation for the inaugural ABL season starting in 201011. [6] It varied from the 2009 Claxton Shield by expanding the season to include ten rounds. Since an uneven number (five) teams were involved, four teams paired off for each round and played a three-game series, while the remaining team took a bye. During the season, each team had two bye rounds and played two rounds against each other team, one at home and one away. In total, the schedule allowed for 24 regular-season games per team before a postseason similar to the 2009 edition: the first-place team directly qualified for the championship series and played against the winner of a playoff series between the second- and third-place teams. [7]

During the regular season, games were played on a Friday night and a doubleheader on Saturday; in each doubleheader one of the two games was shortened to seven innings. The exception to this was when Perth played their home games; they played on a Thursday night instead of a doubleheader on Saturday. Each postseason series was scheduled for a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. [7]

Teams

Rosters

The 2010 series allowed each team to make use of a 19-man active roster. [6] Exceptions were made in two cases that allowed teams' active rosters to expand to 21 players, both times for the same reason. Two games during the season had to be postponed because of poor weather. Both games involved teams meeting for the first time during the season; make-up games were scheduled at the start of the return series between the teams, and this resulted in two four-game series. In both cases, the teams had a 19-man roster for the make-up game, and an expanded 21-man roster for the originally scheduled series. [8]

New South Wales Patriots

The New South Wales Patriots announced on 4 November 2009 both their 30–man roster [9] and their 19–man roster for the opening series of the season. [10]

New South Wales Patriots roster
Active rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Utility players

Manager

Coaches

Other Staff

Correct as of 31 January 2010 [9] [11]

Queensland Rams

Queensland Rams roster
Active rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Utility players

Manager

Coaches

Other Staff

Correct as of 24 January 2010 [12] [13]

Perth Heat

Perth Heat roster
Active rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Utility players

Manager

Coaches

Other staff

Correct as of 24 January 2010

South Australia

South Australia roster
Active rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Utility players

Manager

Coaches

Other Staff

Correct as of 7 February 2010 [14] [15]

Victoria Aces

Victoria Aces roster
Active rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders


Utility players

Manager

Coaches

Other Staff

Correct as of 7 February 2010 [16] [17]

Venues

The 2010 Claxton Shield was contested between five teams from around Australia. In previous years, many of the teams had played their home games at multiple venues. This season each team held their home games at only one venue. There was one scheduled exception to this at the start of the season: the New South Wales Patriots' final home series against the Perth Heat was held at Gilchrist Oval, whereas all of their other home games were held at Blacktown Baseball Stadium. [7]

As a result of poor attendance at Geelong Baseball Park, game one of the fifth-round series between New South Wales and the Victoria Aces was moved to La Trobe University, Melbourne. [18] Although the Geelong games had attracted crowds of no more than 500, [19] the moved game had an attendance of 2,200. [20] Though no further regular season games were moved, the finals series hosted by the Aces was held at La Trobe University as well. [21]

The venues are as follows:

TeamStadium(s)Location(s)
New South Wales Patriots Blacktown Baseball Stadium
Gilchrist Oval
Rooty Hill (Sydney)
Campbelltown (Sydney)
Perth Heat Baseball Park Thornlie (Perth)
Queensland Rams Holloway Field Newmarket (Brisbane)
South Australia Norwood Oval Norwood (Adelaide)
Victoria Aces Geelong Baseball Park
La Trobe University
Grovedale (Geelong)
Bundoora (Melbourne)

Regular season

The regular season was held from 6 November 2009 through to 23 January 2010. All five teams competed in a double round-robin format; playing each other team in two series of three games each, totaling 24 games played each. The top three teams progressed to the finals series. The top team automatically qualified for the championship series, to face the winner of the semi-final series between the second and third placed teams. [7]


The Queensland Rams were the first team to be eliminated from contention for the finals, after being swept four games to nil by the Victoria Aces in round 8. [22] [23] The following round saw South Australia clinch a position in the finals, despite finishing the round in second position. [22] [24] It was not until the final round that the last two spots in the finals were decided: the Aces clinched top spot by sweeping the Perth Heat, which combined with the New South Wales Patriots sweep of the Rams eliminated Perth from contention and secured the last finals spot for the Patriots. [24] [25]

Standings

PosTeamPldWLPCTGBQualification
1 Victoria Aces 24177.708Advance to Championship series
2 South Australia 241410.5833Advance to Semi-final series
3 New South Wales Patriots 241410.5833
4 Perth Heat 241212.5005
5 Queensland Rams 24321.12514
Source: [ citation needed ]

Round 1

The New South Wales Patriots and the Victoria Aces hosted the opening round of the 2010 Claxton Shield, against the Queensland Rams and the Perth Heat respectively. New South Wales overcame a loss in their first game to take both games in the doubleheader, while Victoria had a first up win, then split their double header with Perth.

Round 2

The Perth Heat hosted their first series of the competition, winning their series against the New South Wales Patriots two games to one. South Australia had their first games of the season, hosting and sweeping the Queensland Rams three–nil. The second game of both series featured the first extra innings games of the season, with the respective home teams winning both matches.

As a result of their sweep, South Australia (3–0) took the outright lead of the competition, leaving Victoria (2–1) in second, New South Wales and Perth (3–3) tied, and Queensland (1–5) in last position.

 Round 2 Results

Round 3

The Queensland Rams hosted the Perth Heat, while South Australia travelled to Geelong to face the Victoria Aces. After winning the opening game, Queensland (2–7) dropped both games of the doubleheader to fall further behind the rest of the field. With Perth's (5–4) series win, they moved ahead of New South Wales (3–3) into outright third.

South Australia (4–1) and Victoria (3–2) split their series. The final game of their doubleheader suspended in the bottom of the second due to rain with South Australia leading 2–0. At the time the game administrators considered continuing the game from the point of suspension when the teams next met in Round 9, though the game was actually restarted and eventually won by South Australia. [5]

 Round 3 Results
20 November 2009 Perth Heat 1 8 Queensland Rams Flag of Queensland.svg Holloway Field, Brisbane
LP: Mark Kelly (0–2) Boxscore WP: Simon Morriss (1–1)
HR: Andrew Utting 2 (2), Brad Dutton (1)
20 November 2009 South Australia 6 4 Victoria Aces Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Geelong Baseball Park, Geelong
WP: Paul Mildren (1–0)
Sv: Wayne Ough (1)
Boxscore LP: Donavon Hendricks (0–1)
21 November 2009 Perth Heat 7 4* Queensland Rams Flag of Queensland.svg Holloway Field, Brisbane
WP: Terrence Wohlever (1–0) Boxscore LP: Justin Erasmus (1–1)
HR: Timothy Kennelly (2), Chris House (1)
21 November 2009 South Australia 2 3 Victoria Aces Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Geelong Baseball Park, Geelong
LP: Darren Fidge (1–1) Boxscore WP: Casey Jones (2–0)
Sv: Lee Hogan (1)
21 November 2009 Perth Heat 4 3 Queensland Rams Flag of Queensland.svg Holloway Field, Brisbane
WP: Dylan Peacock (2–0)
Sv: Warwick Saupold (1)
Boxscore LP: PJ Bevis (0–1)
HR: Mitchell Graham (2), Timothy Kennelly (3) HR: Andrew Utting (3)
21 November 2009
Game suspended – weather
Replayed in Round 9
South Australia 2 0 (Bot 2nd)* Victoria Aces Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Geelong Baseball Park, Geelong
Boxscore
*—Scheduled as a 7–inning game

Round 4

South Australia, closely followed by New South Wales, had the first games called prior to their scheduled end due to a mercy rule. South Australia's 10–run win helped to set up their series win against Queensland in Brisbane, while the Patriot's 13–run win over Victoria snapped a 3–game losing streak and was the significant part of the 20 runs they scored in the two games for the day.

South Australia (6–2) extended their tournament lead to a game and a half over New South Wales and Perth (5–4), once again tied. Victoria (4–4) fell to fourth, while Queensland (3–9) remained in last.

Round 5

As a result of poor attendance at Geelong Baseball Park, game one of the fifth round series between New South Wales and the Victoria was moved to La Trobe University, Melbourne. [18] Having previously attracted crowds of no more than 500, [19] the moved game had an attendance of 2,200, which the home team won 3–2. [20] The series concluded in a doubleheader at Geelong, split between the two teams, giving the Aces the series win. Despite winning the series at Norwood Oval, South Australia suffered their first defeat at home, losing to Perth in the second game of the series.

At the end of the round, South Australia (8–3) held a two-game lead over Victoria (6–5). New South Wales and Perth (6–6) remained tied, having dropped to third place, while Queensland (3–9) remained in last position.

Round 6

For the second time in the season, the Queensland were swept in a series this time by the Heat at Baseball Park. The Patriots hosted South Australia, and after dropping the first game won both games in the doubleheader to win the series, and inflict their first series loss of the season.

Despite their series loss, South Australia (9–5) remained in first place. Perth (9–6) moved to second place on the back of their sweep, only one half game behind. Victoria (6–5) dropped to third without playing a game. New South Wales (8–7) fell to fourth, while Queensland (3–12) remained in last place.

Round 7

 Round 7 Results

Round 8

 Round 8 Results

Round 9

 Round 9 Results

Round 10

Going into the final round, the Perth Heat and the Victoria Aces were the two teams that could have taken first place and assured themselves of a home final. In the first game of their series though, the Aces clinched the top spot, and in doing so made the Patriot's chance of overtaking the Heat and making the finals easier. [26] The following two games saw New South Wales beat Queensland to move them into third position, [27] and Perth drop another game to Victoria to allow South Australia to secure second, and a home semi final series. [28]

The Patriots secured the last remaining finals berth in the first game of their doubleheader, beating the Rams 16–0 and eliminating the Heat from finals contention. [29]

Statistical leaders

Finals series

The finals series made use of the same structure as had been used in the 2009 season. The top three teams at the conclusion of the ten rounds of regular season games qualified. The second and third placed teams faced each other in a best-of-three series hosted by the second placed team. The winner of that series then faced the first placed team for a best of three series. South Australia hosted the New South Wales Patriots at Norwood Oval, Adelaide for the semi-final series, while the Victoria Aces hosted the championship series at La Trobe University, Melbourne. [7]

In the finals, the home team and away team alternated during each of the series. As a result, South Australia was officially the away team for game two of its series against New South Wales, [31] as was Victoria in game two of the championship series. [32]

South Australia came from behind in the semi-final series to win 2–1. New South Wales won game one 1–0 on the back of Timothy Auty's RBI-double, as well as Timothy Cox and Lee Ingram combining for a four-hit shutout. [33] Despite being outhit 10–6, South Australia won game two 3–2. Unusually, the winning run was scored in the top of the ninth inning without a safe hit being recorded. [34] Game three was won by South Australia 1–0, largely through the man of the match performance of Ryan Murphy; he pitched a complete game shutout, and scored the only run of the game on a solo home run to right field. [35]

Despite splitting their regular season games 3–3, [36] Victoria swept South Australia in the championship series 2–0. [37] Despite taking an early lead in game one, South Australia was unable to hold on after allowing six runners to reach base resulting in three runs scoring in the fourth inning. Victoria held its 5–3 lead for the rest of the game through the pitching of Russell Spear and finals MVP Matthew Blackmore. [38] In game two, South Australia led for much of the game, but a costly error by Ben Wigmore in the sixth inning, hits from Andrew Russell, Paul Weichard, James Beresford and Matthew Lawman in the ninth, and a run-free pitching performance from Ross Hipke and Russell Spear in the final three innings allowed Victoria to come from behind two nights in a row to win 7–4, and claim the states' 22nd Claxton Shield title. [32] [39]

Bracket

Semi-final series Championship series
1 Victoria Aces 2
2 South Australia 2 SF W South Australia 0
3 New South Wales Patriots 1

Semi-final series

Game 1

The finals series started off with a pitcher's duel: both teams were held scoreless through the first six innings, with both New South Wales' Timothy Cox and South Australia's Paul Mildren holding their opposition to only three hits in that time. But in the seventh, Patrick Maat led off the inning for the Patriots with a base hit to centre field. He then advanced to second base on Andrew Graham's sacrifice bunt, and scored on Timothy Auty's double. Cox pitched 8  innings, giving up 4  hits, 3  walks, and striking out 9 batters to pick up the win. Lee Ingram came into the game for the ninth inning to close the game, picking up a strike out while retiring three hitters in a row to get the save. [33]

29 January 19:05 (GMT+10:30) at Norwood Oval, Adelaide
Team123456789 R H E
New South Wales Patriots (1–0)000000100161
South Australia (0–1)000000000040
WP: Timothy Cox (1–0)   LP: Paul Mildren (0–1)   Sv: Lee Ingram (1)
Attendance: 2,157
Boxscore

Game 2

In another tight contest, South Australia snapped a streak of eight losing efforts in a row in finals games to New South Wales, [33] winning 3–2. South Australia opened the scoring in the top of the fifth. Ben Wigmore and Dan Wilson hit back–to–back singles, Mathew Smith grounded out to advance both. With two out, Jason Pospishil errored on Scott Gladstone's hit to second base, allowing both runners to score. [34]

Pospshil helped the Patriots to recover immediately in the bottom of the inning, with a single to lead off the inning. He then scored on Mark Holland's double to cut the deficit in half. In the eighth inning, New South Wales evened the game, with David Kandilas's infield hit driving in Patrick Maat. In the ninth however, South Australia regained the lead without a hit: two walks and two hit by pitches allowed Stefan Welch to score. [34]

30 January 19:05 (GMT+10:30) at Norwood Oval, Adelaide
Team123456789 R H E
South Australia (1–1)000020001360
New South Wales Patriots (1–1)0000100102101
WP: Darren Fidge (1–0)   LP: Wayne Lundgren (0–1)   Sv: Hayden Beard (1)
Attendance: 2,119
Boxscore

Game 3

Like the first two games of the semi-final series, the third and deciding game was also decided by one run. Ryan Murphy was named man of the match, after pitching a two–hit shutout, and hitting a solo home run in the second inning to score the only run in the game. Prior to the game, Murphy had not started on the mound in any game in the season, and had only pitched one and a third innings in one prior appearance. [40] Michael Lysaught almost tied the game in the third inning with a solo home run of his own. Only Dan Wilson's catch from over the fence in right field prevented it. [35]

31 January 19:05 (GMT+10:30) at Norwood Oval, Adelaide
Team123456789 R H E
New South Wales Patriots (1–2)000000000020
South Australia (2–1)01000000X171
WP: Ryan Murphy (1–0)   LP: Craig Anderson (0–1)
Home runs:
NSW: None
SA: Ryan Murphy (1)
Attendance: 1,500
Boxscore

Championship series

Game 1

Baseball returned to La Trobe University for the Victoria Aces' home championship series, after having just the one game there during the regular season. Unlike the semi-final series, scoring started immediately in the championship series, with South Australia scoring in the top of the first inning: Jeremy Cresswell singled and then advanced to third when Stefan Welch reached on a throwing error by catcher Grant Karlsen. Michael Collins and Ryan Murphy each walked in consecutive plate appearances, advancing Cresswell to score the first run. Before the inning could be closed out, Welch scored on a wild pitch to extend South Australia's lead to two. [38]

Brad Harman opened the scoring for Victoria in the second inning, with a first pitch solo home run to halve the deficit. [41] Victoria tied the game up at 2–2 through back to back doubles in the third, first from Brett Tamburrino and followed by Andrew Russell to drive Tamburrino in. South Australia briefly regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning: Ben Wigmore lead off the inning with a walk, advanced to second on Mathew Smith's single, and scored on Scott Gladstone's double. [38]

Gladstone's RBI-double was the final pitch for Adam Blackley, having scattered 4 hits over 3+13  innings pitched, striking out 7 and allowing 3  runs, only 1 of which was earned. He was replaced by Matthew Blackmore, who pitched into the ninth inning, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 4 over 5 innings pitched. Neither starting pitcher pitched beyond the fourth inning, as South Australia's Paul Mildren was also replaced after 3+13 innings, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs (4 earned), and striking out 3. [42]

Victoria regained the lead permanently in the bottom of the fourth, and in the process drove Mildren from the game. James Beresford led off the inning with a walk, advanced to third on Matthew Lawman's double and scored on Elliott Biddle's single. Scott Wearne reached second on a throwing error by second baseman Smith, which also allowed Lawman to score. Tamburrino received a walk, followed by Russell being hit by a pitch which forced Biddle to score. [41] The hit batter resulted in Chris Lawson replacing Mildren on the mound. Like the other relievers in the game, Lawson did not allow a run to score over his 2+23 innings pitched. [42] The 5–3 score at the end of the fourth inning would be maintained for the rest of the game. Russell Spear entered the game in the ninth inning to close the game for Victoria, earning the save. [41] Blackmore was credited with the win, while Mildren was charged with the loss for South Australia. [42]

5 February 19:35 (GMT+11) at La Trobe University, Melbourne
Team123456789 R H E
South Australia (0–1)200100000352
Victoria Aces (1–0)01130000X572
WP: Matthew Blackmore (1–0)   LP: Paul Mildren (0–1)   Sv: Russell Spear (1)
Home runs:
SA: None
VIC: Brad Harman (1)
Boxscore

Game 2

The second game of the series started in even fashion: both sides were retired in order in the first inning, and each got runners into scoring position without actually scoring in the second. [32] The games' first run came in the third inning, and for the fourth time in the 2010 postseason a run was driven in by a walk. Tristan McDonald led off the inning with a single to center field. He advanced to second on Brett Tamburrino's single to right field, to third when Andrew Russell was hit by a pitch, then scored when Paul Weichard drew a walk. South Australia tied the score again in the fourth inning. Ben Wigmore walked to lead off the inning, and advanced to second when Dan Wilson ground out to first base. Wigmore then scored on Mathew Smith's single. [43]

Victoria immediately regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Tamburrino singled, and then advanced to third on Russell's own base hit. Weichard hit a deep fly ball to center field, allowing Tamburrino to score on the sacrifice fly. However South Australia took the lead for the first time in the game in the bottom of the inning, when Shane Lindsay—pitching in relief of Adam Bright, who'd struck out 5 and allowed 5 hits, 1 walk and 1 run over 4 innings pitched—walked David Washington and Jeremy Cresswell, before giving up a home run to Michael Collins to take the score to 4–2. [43] After the home run Lindsay, Ross Hipke and Russell Spear would combine to keep South Australia from scoring again in the game. [32]

That lead was halved in the sixth through an unearned run. Elliot Biddle got on through an infield hit, and then advanced to third when Ben Wigmore dropped a fly ball in center field off the bat of Hayden Dingle. This allowed Tristan McDonald to drive Wigmore in on a sacrifice fly. Richard Bartlett entered the game to pitch for South Australia in the seventh inning, but was unable to hold on to the one-run lead he was given, allowing the tying run to score in the eighth when he walked McDonald and gave up an RBI-double to Scott Wearne. [32]

James Beresford drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning in the form of Paul Weichard after he and Andrew Russell hit back to back infield singles. Hayden Beard was brought in by South Australia to try to stop the flow of runs, but gave up a two run-double to Matthew Lawman to take Victoria to a 7–4 lead. [37] Russell Spear entered the game for Victoria as closer for the second night in a row, and despite giving up two hits was able to keep South Australia scoreless to earn a second save. [43]

6 February 19:35 (GMT+11) at La Trobe University, Melbourne
Team123456789 R H E
Victoria Aces (2–0)0010110137131
South Australia (0–2)000130000482
WP: Ross Hipke (1–0)   LP: Richard Bartlett (0–1)   Sv: Russell Spear (2)
Home runs:
VIC: None
SA: Michael Collins (1)
Boxscore

Awards

At the conclusion of the finals series, the winner of two awards were announced. Matthew Blackmore won both the Pitcher of the Year award and the Finals Series MVP award. [44] At the Baseball Australia Diamond Awards, held on 6 March at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Adelaide, Wayne Lundgren was announced as the 35th winner of the Helms Award; the Claxton Shield's Most Valuable Player award. Lundgren was the first pitcher to win since 1986. Runners-up by two votes were Paul Mildren and Michael Collins. [45]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baseball in Australia</span>

In Australia, baseball is a game that is played in all states and territories of the country.

The Australian Baseball League (ABL) was a baseball league, established in 1987 and disbanded in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perth Heat</span> Australian professional baseball team

The Perth Heat is a baseball team in the current Australian Baseball League and a founding member of the Australian Baseball League. It is the most successful team in ABL history, winning 15 Claxton Shields.

The Claxton Shield was the name of the premier baseball competition in Australia held between state-based teams, as well as the name of the trophy awarded to the champion team. From the summer of 1989–90 until 2001–02, and again since 2010–11, the tournament was replaced by one of three other competitions: the original Australian Baseball League (ABL), the International Baseball League of Australia (IBLA), and since the 2010–11 season the new ABL. Despite other competitions being held in place of the Claxton Shield, the physical trophy has remained the award for the winning teams. Though city-based teams have competed for the Claxton Shield in some seasons, the name engraved on the shield is that of the winning state; for the 2010–11 ABL season won by the Perth Heat, "West Australia 2011" was engraved.

The International Baseball League of Australia was a baseball league which existed from 1999 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Claxton Shield</span>

The 2007 Claxton Shield was the 73rd anniversary of the event, it was held between 19 and 28 January 2007, at Baseball Park in Western Australia, the first to be held outside of Blacktown Baseball Stadium in New South Wales since 2002 when it was held at the Melbourne Ballpark. The 2007 Shield featured over 120 of Australia's best baseballers, including 45 professionals.

The Claxton Shield is an annual competition held by the Australian Baseball Federation. The 2003 Shield reverted to its original form for the first time since 1988, due to the folding of the International Baseball League of Australia. The Shield was held in New South Wales at the Blacktown Olympic Park Baseball Stadium between 26 January to 1 February 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Claxton Shield</span> Sports season

The 74th Claxton Shield was held from 28 December 2007 to 10 February 2008. The 2008 Shield was conducted on a Home and Away series made up of 2 Divisions; Eastern Division: Australian Provincial, New South Wales Patriots and the Queensland Rams, Southern Division: Perth Heat, Victoria Aces and South Australia. Each divisional series saw each team meet 6 times with 3 home games and 3 away games, the top team from each division then meet in a 3-game Championship series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Harman</span> Australian baseball player (born 1985)

Bradley Christopher Harman is an Australian former professional baseball second baseman. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Claxton Shield</span> Sports season

The 2009 Diamond Anniversary Claxton Shield was the 75-year anniversary of the Claxton Shield and was held from 2 December 2008 to 8 February 2009 and was the Shield's Diamond anniversary. The Perth Heat won the tournament after defeating the New South Wales Patriots 3–2 in the third game of a best of three series.

The 1937 Claxton Shield was the fourth annual Claxton Shield, an Australian national baseball tournament. It was held at Unley Oval in Adelaide from 7 to 14 August, the second time Adelaide had hosted the Shield. New South Wales won the Shield for the first time. Western Australia joined the tournament for the first time, becoming the fourth state to be represented. The other participating teams were Victoria and hosts South Australia.

Timothy Mark Cox was an Australian baseball player who played for the New South Wales Patriots, Sydney Blue Sox and in the Boston Red Sox organisation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Blue Sox</span> Australian professional baseball team

The Sydney Blue Sox are a professional baseball team, and one of eight foundation teams in the re-formed Australian Baseball League (ABL). The team plays their home games at Blacktown International Sportspark (BISP), one of the two venues used for baseball at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when it was known as Blacktown Olympic Park. The Blue Sox hosted the league's Opening Day for the inaugural season on 6 November 2010, when they played against the Canberra Cavalry, and won the game 1–0. The Blue Sox are the only team in the Australian Baseball League to implement sabermetrics as a way to run their team with volunteer statistician, Anthony Rescan.

The 2010–11 Australian Baseball League season was the inaugural Australian Baseball League (ABL) season, and was held from 6 November 2010 to 13 February 2011. It came 12 years after the old Australian Baseball League ceased and is the successor of the mostly amateur Claxton Shield competition that has been played since 1934. The season consisted of six teams competing in a 40-game schedule, followed by a three-round finals series to determine the ABL champion.

Northern Territory Buffaloes was a baseball team from the Northern Territory that competed in the Australian national Claxton Shield competition from 1981 until 1988. The Buffaloes enjoyed little success during its eight-year admittance winning only 1 game, in 1987, against South Australia. Despite their poor on-field results, the Buffaloes did manage to play a few competitive games.

The 1987 Claxton Shield was the 48th annual Claxton Shield. The participants were South Australia, New South Wales Patriots, Victoria Aces, Western Australia, Queensland Rams and Northern Territory. The series was won by Queensland, who took a 17–3 record into the final against Western Australia, before claiming their third title. Peter Vogler was named the MVP of the Finals Series against WA

The 1989 Claxton Shield was the 50th annual Claxton Shield and the final Shield in its traditional state format before the Australian Baseball League (1989–1999). The participants were South Australia, New South Wales Patriots, Victoria Aces, Western Australia and Northern Territory with the incumbent back to back champions Queensland absent. The tournament was held in Sydney over twelve days at Auburn Baseball Club's Oriole Park rather than a home and away series. The home New South Wales team were champions.

The 1986 Claxton Shield was the 47th annual Claxton Shield. The participants were South Australia, New South Wales Patriots, Victoria Aces, Western Australia, Queensland Rams and Northern Territory. The series was won by Victoria.

The 2022–23 Australian Baseball League season was the twelfth season of the Australian Baseball League (ABL). After the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2021–22 season and reduced the 2020–21 season to six teams, this season was the first in three years not to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports. The regular season began on 10 November 2022 and concluded on 22 January 2023 with the Adelaide Giants winning the Claxton Shield over the Perth Heat. This season was the last season to feature Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea, with both teams folding at the conclusion of the season.

References

  1. Collins, Kingsley (9 October 2009). "Anticipation builds for Claxton Shield". Baseball Victoria. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
  2. Laidlaw, Robert (6 February 2010). "Victoria claim the 2009/10 Domino's Claxton Shield". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  3. "2010 Claxton Shield website banner". claxtonshield.baseball.com.au. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original (JPG) on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  4. "Domino's announces sponsorship of Australia's premier baseball competition". Baseball WA. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. 1 2 "Results and Standings". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  6. 1 2 Foster, Ben (25 August 2009). "Australian Baseball League – Player Information and Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "2010 Claxton Shield Game Schedule". Australian Baseball Federation. 2009. Archived from the original on 14 November 2009. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  8. Collins, Kingsley (13 January 2010). "Season at a pivotal stage for both clubs". Victorian Provincial Baseball League. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  9. 1 2 Ristic, Daniel (4 November 2009). "PATRIOTS – Announce 30 Man Roster for 2009/10". Baseball NSW. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  10. Ristic, Daniel (4 November 2009). "NSW Patriots 19 man roster for opening series". Baseball NSW. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  11. "NSW Patriots Active Roster". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  12. "2009/2010 Queensland Rams Roster". Baseball QLD. Archived from the original on 27 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  13. "QLD Rams Active Roster". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  14. "2009/2010 Claxton Shield Statistics - South Australia". Baseball SA. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  15. "SA Active Roster". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 7 December 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  16. "2009/2010 Claxton Shield Statistics - Victoria". Baseball Vic. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  17. "VIC Aces Active Roster". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  18. 1 2 Collins, Kingsley (23 November 2009). "Target 1000: Support our Aces". Southern Districts Baseball Club. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  19. 1 2 Green, Bradley (24 November 2009). "Claxton Shield baseball moved from Geelong due to poor crowds". Geelong Advertiser . Archived from the original on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  20. 1 2 "New South Wales vs Victoria (Dec 04, 2009)". Australian Baseball Federation. 4 December 2009. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  21. Foster, Ben (28 January 2010). "Claxton Shield Grandfinal Seats – On Sale Now". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  22. 1 2 "Week 8 Series (Claxton Shield 2010 - Table & Results)". Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  23. "Week 7 Series (Claxton Shield 2010 - Table & Results)". Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  24. 1 2 "Week 9 Series (Claxton Shield 2010 - Table & Results)". Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  25. "Week 10 Series (Claxton Shield 2010 - Table & Results)". Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Major League Baseball. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  26. Laidler, Gemma (22 January 2010). "Victoria record 17 hits against WA". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  27. Laidler, Gemma (22 January 2010). "NSW still in with a chance for finals berth". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  28. Laidler, Gemma (22 January 2010). "Victoria win second game in a row against WA". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  29. Bray, Eddie (23 January 2010). "NSW Patriots clinch playoff berth!". Baseball NSW. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  30. 1 2 "2009/2010 Claxton Shield - Individual Statistics". Australian Baseball Federation. 24 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  31. "South Australia vs New South Wales (Jan 30, 2010)". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 "Victoria vs South Australia (Feb 06, 2010)". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  33. 1 2 3 Laidlaw, Robert (29 January 2010). "SA lose heartbreaker to NSW in Game One of Semi-finals". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  34. 1 2 3 Laidlaw, Robert (30 January 2010). "SA force decider". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  35. 1 2 Laidlaw, Robert (31 January 2010). "Ryan Murphy does it all for SA". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  36. Petrie, Andrea (5 February 2010). "Victoria and South Australia battling for national supremacy". The Age . Melbourne . Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  37. 1 2 McNicol, Adam (7 February 2010). "Victoria snares 17th title with late charge". The Age . Melbourne . Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  38. 1 2 3 Laidlaw, Robert (5 February 2010). "Victoria go one up in the Grand Final Series". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  39. "Claxton Shield Trophy Winners". Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  40. "2009/2010 Claxton Shield –Individual Statistics (Overall)". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. 24 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  41. 1 2 3 Collins, Kingsley (5 February 2010). "Harman, Blackmore turn it around for Aces". Victoria Aces. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  42. 1 2 3 "South Australia vs Victoria (Feb 05, 2010)". 2010 Claxton Shield. Australian Baseball Federation. 5 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  43. 1 2 3 Collins, Kingsley (6 February 2010). "Aces wrap it up in two". Victoria Aces. Australian Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  44. Collins, Kingsley (6 February 2010). "Aces wrap it up in two". Baseball Victoria. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  45. "Wayne Lundgren named 2010 Helms Award winner". Australian Baseball Federation. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2010.