Brisbane Bandits (1989–98)
| Brisbane Bandits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| League | Australian Baseball League (1989-1999) | ||
| Location | Brisbane | ||
| Ballpark | Brisbane Exhibition Ground | ||
| Year founded | 1989–90 | ||
| Year folded | 1997–98 | ||
| Nickname(s) | Bandits | ||
| League championships | 1993–94 | ||
| Former ballparks |
Lang Park(89–90) Brisbane Exhibition Ground(90–94) Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre(94–97) Holloway Field(97–98) |
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| Colours | Royal Blue, White and Yellow | ||
| Uniforms | |||
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The Brisbane Bandits were a foundation team in the Australian Baseball League which was bought by a private owner and shut down in 1999. The Bandits have now been resurrected as a team in the new Australian Baseball League which is due to start in November 2010. The Bandits won the ABL Championship in 1994 and finished 2nd in 1997, going down to the Perth Heat in the championship series. The Bandits only competed in the first 9 ABL Championships, but had intentions of re-joining the ABL Championship in following Seasons.
The Brisbane Bandits were established in 1989 by co-founders Tom Nicholson and Vince Askey as a privately owned baseball franchise in the inaugural Australian Baseball League. Nicholson ran the entire franchise as the General Manager overseeing all operation of the Bandits. Askey, the Director of International Operations, forged relationships with Major League Clubs, starting with the San Diego Padres and later the New York Yankees. Askey also served as a television commentator for ABL games aired on the ABC Network. Both Askey and Nicholson also served as Directors on the ABL Board of Directors. Foundation Chairman of the Board was well known young business identity Matthew Brannelly who prior to this was the Founding President of the Brisbane Junior Chamber of Commerce.
In their initial season the Bandits were based at Lang Park. The rectangular field was well suited to rugby league and soccer but not baseball. To offset the short left field a 50 foot high wall was installed. In 1990, the team moved to the iconic Brisbane venue, the RNA Showgrounds ( or Brisbane Exhibition ). The lighting and circular field surrounded by historic grandstands provided a family friendly venue and is currently where the Brisbane Bandits in the new Australian Baseball League play. The team maintained this home venue till their championship winning 1993–94 Australian Baseball League season.
In the 1993/94 season the Bandits won the Championship series against the Sydney Blues. The Blues had finished the regular season as minor premiers and had home field advantage. This was not enough though as the Bandits won 2–0 to claim their only title.
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