1997–98 Australian Baseball League season

1997–98
Australian Baseball League
Season details
Sport Baseball
Country  Australia
Teams 8
Dates 31 October 1997 – 15 February 1998
Defending champions Perth Heat (1996–97)
Champions Melbourne Reds (3rd title)
MVP Brendan Kingman ( Storm)
Final positions
Champions Melbourne Reds
Runners-up Gold Coast Cougars
Finalists Melbourne Monarchs
Finalists Sydney Storm
Fifth place Perth Heat
Sixth place Adelaide Giants
Seventh place Brisbane Bandits
Eighth place Hunter Eagles
Regular season
Games played 211
Best batting average Adam Burton ( Reds) (.388)
Most homeruns hit Adam Burton ( Reds) (21)
Best ERA Mark Respondek ( Reds) (2.57)


Last updated on 7 February 2013

The 1997–98 Australian Baseball League season was the 9th season of the original Australian Baseball League, contested between eight teams representing state and regional capitals: Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits, Gold Coast Cougars, Hunter Eagles, Melbourne Monarchs, Melbourne Reds, Perth Heat and Sydney Storm. The Melbourne Reds became the first three-time champions defeating the Gold Coast Cougars 2 games to 0 in the Championship series, in front of a small home crowd of 600 at the Melbourne Ballpark.

Teams

Each of the 8 teams from the previous season returned, however the Sydney Blues changed their name to the Sydney Storm after legal action taken by Cricket NSW during the offseason.

In the season opening press release, The league called for expressions of interest in a licence to reform the Canberra Bushrangers for the 1998-99 season, The Bushrangers previously folded at the end of the 1994-95 season.

Rosters

During the regular season each team made use of an active roster of 22-24 men, with a maximum of 4 import players.


Melbourne Monarchs

Melbourne Monarchs roster - 1997–98 ABL
Active roster Coaching Staff
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

  • 21 Australia John Challinor
  • 43 Australia Phil Dale
  • 24 Australia Jon Deeble
  • 23 Australia Cameron Forbes
  • 9 Australia Keith Gogas
  • 25 United States Cameron Hardy
  • 18 Australia Steven Schram
  • 8 Australia Russel Spear

Left-handed pitchers

 Catchers
  • 14 Australia Brett Caulfield
  • 28 Australia John Edwards
  • 35 Australia Tristen McDonald
  • 36 United States Steve Dax Norris

Infielders

  • 19 Australia Rohan Brasher
  • 45 Australia Clayton Byrne
  • 10 Australia Mark Doubleday
  • 22 Australia Ben Risinger
  • 7 Australia Richard Vagg
  • 4 Australia Jay Willis

Outfielders

  • 9 Australia Keith Gogas
  • 37 Australia Ben Hammer
  • 33 Australia Aaron Harvey
  • 17 United States George Lombard
  • 16 Australia Dean Marnell
Manager

Coaches

  • - Australia Neil Bourke
  • - Australia Mike Deeble
Current as of February 1998.[1]

Melbourne Reds

Melbourne Reds roster - 1997–98 ABL
Active roster Coaching Staff
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

  • 52 United States Jason Beverlin
  • 49 Australia Jason Blejwas
  • 15 Australia Michael Crooks
  • ? Australia Andrew Fennell
  • 27 Australia Matthew Gourlay
  • 24 Australia Lee Hogan
  • 41 Australia Rob Hogan
  • 37 Australia Warren May
  • 10 Australia David Simpson
  • 29 United States Sloan Smith
  • 28 Australia Ben Smith
  • 36 Australia Jarrod Warner
  • ? United States David White

Left-handed pitchers

 Catchers

Infielders

  • 14 United States Chris Ashby
  • 22 Australia Myles Barnden
  • 20 Australia Adam Burton
  • ? Australia Ross Cameron
  • 16 Australia Shane Hogan
  • 26 Australia Jeff Spencer
  • 30 Australia Ben Utting

Outfielders

  • ? Australia Glynn Kimberley
  • 35 Australia Glen Reeves
  • 46 United States Derek Shumpert
  • 18 Australia Paul Weichard
  • 19 Australia Darren White
Manager

Coaches

  • -- Australia David Clarkson
  • -- Australia Gavin Marshall
Current as of February 1998.[2]

Perth Heat

Perth Heat roster - 1997–98 ABL
Active roster
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

 Catchers
  • ? Australia Toby Barnett
  • ? Australia Gavin Edmondson
  • 42 Australia John Moore
  • 11 Australia Michael Toohey

Infielders

  • 31 Australia Clayton Barnes
  • 20 Australia Sean Jones
  • 25 Australia Ben Needle
  • ? Australia Dean Robertson

Outfielders

  • ? Australia Mathew Davis
  • ? United States Johnny Isom
  • 4 Australia Gerard Prosper
  • ? Australia Shane Smith
Current as of February 1998. [3]

Sydney Storm

Sydney Storm roster - 1997–98 ABL
Active roster
Pitchers

Right-handed pitchers

Left-handed pitchers

  • 11 Australia Shane Pepper
Catchers
  • 15 Australia Gary White

Infielders

Outfielders
Current as of February 1998. Incomplete


Venues

Teams in the ABL
Team City State Stadium Ref
Adelaide Giants Adelaide South Australia Norwood Oval
Brisbane Bandits Brisbane Queensland Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre
Gold Coast Cougars Gold Coast Queensland Carrara Oval
Hunter Eagles Newcastle New South Wales Newcastle International Sports Centre
Melbourne Monarchs Melbourne Victoria Melbourne Ballpark
Melbourne Reds Melbourne Victoria Moorabbin Oval
Perth Heat Perth Western Australia WACA Ground
Sydney Storm Sydney New South Wales Concord Oval

Regular season

Round 1: 31 October–5 November 1997

 Round 1
Perth Heat 3 d. Adelaide Giants 1 (6-5, 6-3, 6-5, 2-8)
Gold Coast Cougars 2 d. Brisbane Bandits 1 (7-1, 8-6, 13-14)
Melbourne Monarchs 3 d. Melbourne Reds 1 (8-6, 10-6, 7-2, 2-8)
Sydney Storm 2 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (11-10, 5-3)

Round 2: 7–9 November 1997

 Round 2
Perth Heat 3 d. Sydney Storm 1 (3-5, 3-2, 10-3, 4-1)
Adelaide Giants 3 d. Melbourne Monarchs 1 (1-3, 3-0, 9-4, 7-4)
Gold Coast Cougars 2 d. Melbourne Reds 1 (6-3, 6-10, 5-4, W/out)
Brisbane Bandits 3 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (6-4, 7-4, 4-3, 2-4)

Round 3: 14–16 November 1997

 Round 3
Perth Heat 2 dr. Sydney Storm 2 (1-5, 5-9, 4-3, 11-7)
Melbourne Reds 3 d. Gold Coast Cougars 1 (4-1, 6-2, 3-2, 1-2)
Adelaide Giants 3 d. Melbourne Monarchs 1 (N/A, 7-2, N/A, N/A)
Brisbane Bandits 3 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (9-1, 13-11, 12-6, 9-10)

Round 4: 21–23 November 1997

 Round 4
Perth Heat 2 dr. Melbourne Monarchs 2 (6-7, 6-1, 9-5, 0-2)
Melbourne Reds 3 d. Brisbane Bandits 1 (7-11, 20-7, 12-7, 12-9)
Gold Coast Cougars 3 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (10-5, 0-3, 8-4, 8-1)
Sydney Storm 3 d. Adelaide Giants 1 (1-5, 3-2, 5-2, 6-3)

Round 5: 28–30 November 1997

 Round 5
Melbourne Reds 4 d. Brisbane Bandits 0 (12-8, 12-1, 11-7, 11-7)
Gold Coast Cougars 3 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (5-2, 0-6, 7-6, 15-3)
Sydney Storm 2 dr. Adelaide Giants 2 (6-5, 1-4, 8-7, 2-6)

Round 6: 5–7 December 1997

 Round 6
Melbourne Reds 4 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (2-1, 10-6, 7-6, 8-1)
Brisbane Bandits 2 d. Gold Coast Cougars 1 (9-3, 14-9, 10-15)
Sydney Storm 3 d. Melbourne Monarchs 1 (3-2, 6-5, 4-8, 18-5)
Adelaide Giants 3 d. Perth Heat 1 (2-7, 7-1, 5-1, 6-3)

All Star Games: 12–13 December 1997

The series was held at Carrara Oval.

Game 1 was played against the Japanese Industrial League Champions and Game 2 against combined team of Americans playing in the ABL.

 12 December
Mitsubishi Juko Kobe Vs Australia All-Stars
13 December
U.S.A. All-Stars 15 d. Australia All-Stars 9

Round 7: 14–16 December 1997

 Round 7
Sydney Storm 2 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (8-5, 4-1, 4-6)
Gold Coast Cougars 1 d. Brisbane Bandits 0 (N/A)
Sydney Storm 2 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (N/A)

Round 8: 19–21 December 1997

 Round 8
Sydney Storm 2 dr. Melbourne Monarchs 2 (5-3, 3-6, 0-1, 6-5)
Gold Coast Cougars 3 d. Brisbane Bandits 0 (8-3, 9-8, 15-8)
Perth Heat 2 dr. Adelaide Giants 2 (4-2, 4-0, 2-5, 2-6)
Melbourne Reds 3 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (4-5, 17-7, 8-7, 7-0)

Round 9: 26–28 December 1997

 Round 9
Perth Heat 2 dr. Melbourne Reds 2 (13-6, 7-6, 2-3, 3-8)
Sydney Storm 4 d. Brisbane Bandits 0 (23-9, 3-2, 10-0, 10-7)
Melbourne Monarchs 4 d. Gold Coast Cougars 0 (4-1, 4-1, 4-0, 6-0)
Adelaide Giants 3 d. Hunter Eagles 1 (12-4, 1-6, 6-2, 7-3)

Round 10: 30 December 1997, 2–6 January 1998

 Round 10
Brisbane Bandits 2 d. Perth Heat 1 (11-1, 18-2, 2-15)
Sydney Storm 2 d. Melbourne Reds 1 (4-1, 1-10, 8-4)
Gold Coast Cougars 3 d. Adelaide Giants 0 (8-6, 9-8, 10-9)
Melbourne Monarchs 3 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (8-3, 7-5, 3-2)
Sydney Storm 1 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (17-14)

Round 11: 9–11 January 1998

 Round 11
Sydney Storm 3 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (10-3, 14-3, 10-3)
Melbourne Monarchs 2 d. Melbourne Reds 1 (6-2, 3-7, 14-4)
Adelaide Giants 2 d. Brisbane Bandits 1 (4-2, 4-8, 8-6)
Perth Heat 2 d. Gold Coast Cougars 1 (2-19, 8-7, 8-2)

Round 12: 16–18 January 1998

 Round 12
Melbourne Monarchs 3 d. Brisbane Bandits 1 (1-2, 4-3, 11-10, 12-11)
Gold Coast Cougars 4 d. Sydney Storm 0 (17-12, 7-2, 15-7, 10-8)
Melbourne Reds 3 d. Adelaide Giants 1 (4-5, 10-6, 10-8, 11-10)
Perth Heat 2 dr. Hunter Eagles 2 (0-8, 11-6, 6-8, 5-2)

Round 13: 22–25 January 1998

 Round 13
Brisbane Bandits 2 d. Sydney Storm 1 (2-3, 6-1, 2-1)
Melbourne Monarchs 2 d. Gold Coast Cougars 1 (10-9, 5-1, 3-4)
Adelaide Giants 1 dr. Hunter Eagles 1 (9-1, 4-5, W/Out)
Perth Heat 2 d. Melbourne Reds 0 (2-0, 9-6)

Round 14: 26–29 January 1998

 Round 14
Brisbane Bandits 1 dr. Melbourne Monarchs 1 (N/A, 15-10)
Melbourne Reds 2 d. Adelaide Giants 1 (N/A, 11-2, 5-6)
Perth Heat 3 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (15-5, 8-7, 17-6)
Gold Coast Cougars 2 d. Sydney Storm 1 (9-3, 8-5, 7-12)

Round 15: 30 January-3 February 1998

 Round 15
Perth Heat 2 d. Brisbane Bandits 1 (0-12, 12-6, 5-1)
Gold Coast Cougars 2 d. Adelaide Giants 1 (1-4, 9-6, 7-5)
Melbourne Monarchs 3 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (9-0, 9-5, 7-6)
Sydney Storm 2 d. Melbourne Reds 1 (14-11, 4-13, 10-9)

Round 16: 6–8 February 1998

 Round 16
Perth Heat 2 d. Gold Coast Cougars 1 (6-2, 3-10, 7-4)
Adelaide Giants 2 d. Brisbane Bandits 1 (13-12, 12-10, 8-9)
Melbourne Monarchs 1 dr. Melbourne Reds 1 (5-4, 4-5, W/Out)
Sydney Storm 1 d. Hunter Eagles 0 (11-5)

Ladder

Key
† Clinched final berth
1997-98 regular season standings
Team
W L Pct. GB Home Road
Melbourne Monarchs† 32 20 .615 – – –
Sydney Storm† 32 22 .593 1 – –
Melbourne Reds† 30 21 .588 1 1⁄2 – –
Gold Coast Cougars† 31 22 .585 1 1⁄2 – –
Perth Heat 30 23 .566 2 1⁄2 – –
Adelaide Giants 26 27 .491 6 1⁄2 – –
Brisbane Bandits 20 33 .333 12 1⁄2 – –
Hunter Eagles 10 43 .189 22 1⁄2 – –

    Top 10 Stats

    Defensive Stats
    Name Wins Losses Saves ERA
    Mark Respondek 4 0 0 2.57
    Warren May 6 1 1 4.96
    Robert Hogan 5 2 0 5.97
    Pat Ahearne 3 4 0 3.46
    David White 2 4 2 7.79
    Jason Beverlin 2 4 0 6.22
    Offensive Stars
    Name Avg HR RBI
    Adam Burton .388 21 55
    Ben Utting .346 7 34
    Myles Barnden .343 6 28
    Chris Ashby .314 6 18
    Jeff Spencer .306 7 41
    Shane Hogan .298 18 49

    Postseason

    Finals Series at Melbourne Ballpark

    In previous years the post season was played as home and away best of 3 games, with the two winner of each series meeting for a best of 5 series{fact}, in 1997–98 this was changed to a round robin play-off format with each team playing 3 games, 1 against each of the other 3 qualified teams, with the two highest places teams playing off in the Championship Series.[4]

    All games for the 9th ABL title were played at the Melbourne Ballpark from February, 10-12 with the best of three championship series 14–15 February.[4]

    Finals Series

    Game 1: 10 February 1998

    Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    Gold Coast Cougars ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 7 ? ?
    Melbourne Monarchs ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 5 ? ?
    WP: ? (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
    Home runs:
    Cougars: ?
    Monarchs: ?

    Game 2: 10 February 1998

    Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    Melbourne Reds ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 18 ? ?
    Sydney Storm ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 5 ? ?
    WP: ? (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
    Home runs:
    Reds: ?
    Storm: ?

    Game 3: 11 February 1998

    Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    Melbourne Monarchs ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1 ? ?
    Sydney Storm ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 5 ? ?
    WP: ? (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
    Home runs:
    Monarchs: ?
    Storm: ?

    Game 4: 11 February 1998

    Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    Gold Coast Cougars ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1 ? ?
    Melbourne Reds ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 2 ? ?
    WP: ? (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
    Home runs:
    Cougars: ?
    Reds: ?

    Game 5: 12 February 1998

    Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    Sydney Storm ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 6 ? ?
    Gold Coast Cougars ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8 ? ?
    WP: ? (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
    Home runs:
    Storm: ?
    Cougars: ?

    Game 6: 12 February 1998

    Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    Melbourne Monarchs ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 12 ? ?
    Melbourne Reds ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 5 ? ?
    WP: ? (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
    Home runs:
    Monarchs: ?
    Reds: ?

    Postseason Ladder

    Key
    † Clinched Championship series berth
    1997-98 postseason season standings
    Team
    		W L Pct. GB For Against
    Melbourne Reds† 2 1 .667 - 25 18
    Gold Coast Cougars† 2 1 .667 - 16 13
    Melbourne Monarchs 1 2 .333 1 18 17
    Sydney Storm 1 2 .333 1 16 27

      Championship Series

      Game 1: 14 February 1998

      Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
      Gold Coast Cougars 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 ? ?
      Melbourne Reds 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 - 4 ? ?
      WP: David White (1-0)   LP: ? (0-1)   Sv: ?
      Home runs:
      Cougars: -
      Reds: Shane Hogan (1)

      Game 2: 15 February 1998

      Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
      Melbourne Reds 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 4 6 ?
      Gold Coast Cougars 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ? ?
      WP: Jason Beverlin (1-0)   LP: Paxton Crawford (0-1)   Sv: -
      Home runs:
      Reds: Shane Hogan (1), Myles Barnden (1)
      Cougars: -

      Awards

      Award Person Team
      Batting Champion Brendan Kingman Sydney Storm
      Golden Glove Glenn Williams Sydney Storm
      Manager of the Year Tom Nieto Melbourne Reds
      Most Valuable Player Brendan Kingman Sydney Storm
      Championship M.V.P. Shane Hogan Melbourne Reds
      Rookie of the Year Rodney Van Buizen Hunter Eagles
      Reliever of the Year Gabe Molina Perth Heat
      Pitcher of the Year Erick Nelson Melbourne Monarchs
      Umpire of the Year Gerard Tancred New South Wales

      All-Star Team

      Position Name Team
      Catcher Gary White Sydney Storm
      1st Base Ron Johnson Gold Coast Cougars
      2nd Base Adam Burton Melbourne Reds
      3rd Base Paul Gorman Gold Coast Cougars
      Short Stop Ben Utting Melbourne Reds
      Out Field Glen Barker Brisbane Bandits
      Out Field Trent Durrington Gold Coast Cougars
      Out Field Grant McDonald Brisbane Bandits
      Designated Hitter Brendan Kingman Sydney Storm
      Starting Pitcher Erick Nelson Melbourne Monarchs
      Relief Pitcher Gabe Molina Perth Heat
      Manager Tom Nieto Melbourne Reds

      References

      1. ↑ "Melbourne Monarchs Roster". Melbourne Monarchs. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
      2. ↑ "Melbourne Reds Roster". Melbourne Reds. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
      3. ↑ "Perth Heat Player Profiles". Perth Heat. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
      4. 1 2 "FAI Cup Pitches new finals format and all star competition as baseball bats up for the summer of 1997/1998.". Press Release. Australian Baseball League. Archived from the original on 30 June 1998. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
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