ABL 1997-98
| 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) |
|
← 1996–97
1998–99 →
Last updated on 7 February 2013 |
|
| † | Clinched final berth |
| † | Clinched Championship series berth |
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.
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.
During the regular season each team made use of an active roster of 22-24 men, with a maximum of 4 import players.
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.
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