Baseball has been played in Australia for well over 100 years, in fact the first games were reportedly played during the Gold Rush era by miners from America.

Enthusiasm strengthened in 1888 when American sports-equipment manufacturer, A.G. Spalding Esq. Decided to upstage hockey and attempt to establish baseball throughout Australia.

In 1888 when Spalding brought American teams, All Americans and Chicago from the USA. The public viewed the matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

These days Baseball is played under the governance of the Australian Baseball Federation (ABF), which is based on the Gold Coast in the state of Queensland. Further information about the ABF and its member states and associations can be found at www.baseball.com.au

National Competitions

The ABF run the following national tournaments with

Claxton Shield, annual open age competition, usually played over a week in December / January at Blacktown Olympic Park although in 2007 / 2008 it was played on a home and away basis. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia each enter a state team. Northern Territory and ACT unite with other players to form the sixth team, Australian Provincial;

National Youth Championships

Under 18's, Under 16's, Under 14's are played annually in early January, each age group is played in a different state. The competitions are held in a different state each year. NSW, NSW Country, Victoria, Victoria Provincial, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia each enter a state team. Northern Territory and ACT unite with other players to form the eigth team, known as Territories;

Womens

A national Womens tournament is held each year at Easter. Teams from NSW, NSW Country, Victoria, Victoria Provincial, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia each enter a state team

Record Attendance

Australia held the record for spectator attendance from 1956 at the Melbourne Olympics where approximatley 114,000 spectators attended the game between the American Services Team and the Australian National Team. This record was held until March 29, 2008 when a reported 115,300 spectators attended a game at the Los Angeles Coloseum between the Dodgers and the Red Sox.