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Where will the Melbourne ABL franchise play?

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R

Roger Dodger

Senior List
May 3, 2007
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Richmond
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The ABL has already rolled out part of its marketing campaign online and on Fox Sports. The season is less than six months away.

One question remains. Where the hell is the Melbourne franchise going to play its home games?

Geelong? Well, its not Melbourne.

Altona? An absolute disaster.

La Trobe Uni? Bundoora is hardly a convenient trip by car or public transport. (See Altona).

Has the Australian Baseball Federation actually thought this through? I have not heard of any plans to build a downtown ballpark, perhaps the only viable way of the Melbourne franchise remaining competitive with not one but two A-league teams (Victory and Heart) pro basketball and international cricket (the ASHES, one dayers AND 20/20).

Has anyone heard anything?
 
I have heard a rumour that Victoria Park, the home of Collingwood for so long, has been considered as a site to host the first few games of the new Melbourne ABL team.

I have been out to Victoria Park a few times this year (VFL), and while the surface and players rooms are in excellent condition, the viewing areas are really restricted to 2 stands, the old Sherrin Stand and the smaller Ryder Stand.

That is the rumour I have heard anyway.
 
Can almost confirm Vic Park as the home field of the team. Announcement either late this week or midway through the next would be likely.
 

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The Great Barry Besanko said:
It's currently been used by the military for wind tunnel experiments.
Click to expand...

right.....


Personally, i think they should use Farm Road reserve in Heatherton/Moorabbin/Cheltenham

Some Stands would need to be erected, however, There is plenty of parking available, lets face it, they arent going to get huge crowds. Parking is available Down Farm Road, in the Reserve Car Park on Centre Road (Also the Cheltenham-Moorabbin RSL Carpark) and Accross from there in DFO.


The reserve is also used for Junior Competitions. Infact, The Chletenham Rustlers have the largest participation rate for Tee-ball/baseball in victoria.


Play the games in Farm Road, and you have the potential to expand the game.
 
Mitchell Madness said:
right.....


Personally, i think they should use Farm Road reserve in Heatherton/Moorabbin/Cheltenham

Some Stands would need to be erected, however, There is plenty of parking available, lets face it, they arent going to get huge crowds. Parking is available Down Farm Road, in the Reserve Car Park on Centre Road (Also the Cheltenham-Moorabbin RSL Carpark) and Accross from there in DFO.


The reserve is also used for Junior Competitions. Infact, The Chletenham Rustlers have the largest participation rate for Tee-ball/baseball in victoria.


Play the games in Farm Road, and you have the potential to expand the game.
Click to expand...

Well Altona is a shithole to play in, far far too much wind.
Surely they need another stadium just outside the city. Stuff Cheltenham, if they're serious about making this comp a success.
 
The Great Barry Besanko said:
Well Altona is a shithole to play in, far far too much wind.
Surely they need another stadium just outside the city. Stuff Cheltenham, if they're serious about making this comp a success.
Click to expand...

Ill pay that...


The thing is, With the participation rates at Junior Level for the Rustlers, it may be able to transfer to attendance for the new franchise, at least in the early part
 
Altona isn't close to anything aside from an arterial to Geelong.

The surface on the infield doesn't even match the outfield. An unmitigated disaster building that thing.

Cheltenham (and the surrounding area) is something of a baseball area but it's imperative they play near the city. Even Collingwood - the apparent new venue - is borderline. There is no parking, for one.

Also the ABL needs to aim at adults. If the league like its prior incarnation makes it too kiddie friendly it will drive away the people who actually take the sport seriously and want to spend money.
 
Roger Dodger said:
Cheltenham (and the surrounding area) is something of a baseball area but it's imperative they play near the city. Even Collingwood - the apparent new venue - is borderline. There is no parking, for one.

Also the ABL needs to aim at adults. If the league like its prior incarnation makes it too kiddie friendly it will drive away the people who actually take the sport seriously and want to spend money.
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There is no parking at any inner city venues, it's just how it is, unless you play the MCG or Etihad.

At least Vic Park has it's own railway station.

And there is "some" parking there, for about 200 cars in the old railway yards directly opposite the ground, enough for players and staff at least.

My choice would either be Princes Park or Vic Park, both with enough under cover seating (for shade more then rain) and both with adequate parking and transport.
 

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Ross Straw Field at Royal Park is well situated but would need a lot money spent on it to make it suitable for a professional league.

Converted suburban football grounds just don't work, as the crowd is too far from the action or the field dimensions are comprimised.

Pioneer Park in Geelong or Melbourne Ballpark at Altona are the best venues in the short term.

Altona is probably in front being only a 10 minute drive from the city on the Westgate Freeway and a short walk from the refurbished Laverton railway station. There is plenty of parking as well. The only negatives are the synthetic infield/natural grass outfield and the lack of protection from the elements when there is a wicked southerly wind blowing in.
 
flamethrower said:
Ross Straw Field at Royal Park is well situated but would need a lot money spent on it to make it suitable for a professional league.

Converted suburban football grounds just don't work, as the crowd is too far from the action or the field dimensions are comprimised.

Pioneer Park in Geelong or Melbourne Ballpark at Altona are the best venues in the short term.

Altona is probably in front being only a 10 minute drive from the city on the Westgate Freeway and a short walk from the refurbished Laverton railway station. There is plenty of parking as well. The only negatives are the synthetic infield/natural grass outfield and the lack of protection from the elements when there is a wicked southerly wind blowing in.
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Just ignore all previous posts lamenting what a shocking investment Altona was for Victorian baseball. Take off the blinkers. Altona is terrible.
 
will certainly be a struggle to play games at Altona by the sound of it.

I remember the Melbourne Monarchs, and the Bushrangers. Was actually member of both clubs as a kid at different points and even still have a signed bat (broke and taped up!) with Dave Nilsson when he played for the Gold Coast team. My brother was batboy that day.

Can always remember Altona as being a terrible ground to watch at, due to the wind factor. We only lived around the corner from the ground, so that's what initially attracted us to it and we loved the game.

Still watch the odd game but not really as interested as I used to be. Hopefully the new ABL re-kindles the interest.
 

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Where will the Melbourne ABL franchise play?

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