Minister for Sports and Youth, the Hon Kate Ellis MP today announced funding of $400 000 to support plans for a new national baseball league.

‘This funding will help baseball develop the next generation of Australian baseball stars,’ said Ms Ellis.

Visiting the Major League Baseball Australian Academy Program (MLBAAP) on the Gold Coast, Ms Ellis said the grant of $400 000 would assist the Australian Baseball Federation and Major League Baseball in their collaboration for a new national league.

‘Australian Baseball has done a great job securing this significant partnership opportunity with Major League Baseball and I commend the MLB for their commitment.

‘The MLBAAP has proven to be very successful in the development of up and coming athletes, and this initiative is the next step in strengthening the game of baseball in Australia. They have worked very hard to develop a strong financial base and it is exciting that there will once again be a national league for Australian talent to aspire to.

‘The Government has worked in close partnership with Australian Baseball to support the development of the game and we look forward to continuing this relationship in these exciting times for the sport,' Ms Ellis said.

Ms Ellis was joined by Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of International Operations, Mr Paul Archey, and President of the Australian Baseball Federation, Mr Geoff Pearce, in announcing the exciting new developments to the game in Australia.

‘Baseball has a proud history in this country, from the first Claxton Shield in 1934 to Australia winning the silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games 70 years later.

‘The Government’s grant today is in addition to the $6.3m funding provided to baseball over the past four years. These grants follow the Australian Government investing $12.6 million to extend support for high performance sport until June 2010 and are on top of $5.5 million in additional ASC grants in February,’ said Ms Ellis.