Baseball Australia save Perth Heat, a day after bombshell decision by club to withdraw from struggling ABL

Baseball Australia has stepped in to save the Perth Heat for the upcoming Australian Baseball League season and stem the tide of teams leaving the competition.

Perth Heat have officially pulled out of the 2025/26 Australian Baseball League season.

Baseball Australia has stepped up to the plate to save the Perth Heat and keep a four-team Australian Baseball League for the 2025/26 season and promised further changes to create a sustainable domestic competition.

The shock move comes just months after the Melbourne Aces pulled out of the ABL in favour of playing in the Korean KBO Fall League in October and hosting international teams over the summer.

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The Canberra Cavalry pulled out of the 2025/26 season in April, citing concerns over the stability of the league, while the Heat announced their decision on Wednesday only for BA to rescue the team on Thursday.

Perth Heat have been saved for the 2025/26 ABL season, a day after withdrawing from the competition. Picture: Supplied

“Baseball Australia and the ABL have been preparing for this contingency for some time to ensure that we deliver a four-team competition in season 2025/26, inclusive of Baseball Australia taking the licence back and operating it in the coming season,” the ABL said in a statement.

“As a beloved team that has been inspiring local players for many years, we are determined to ensure the Perth Heat remains a formidable team during this transition.

“We are committed to delivering a successful ABL in 2025/26 and operating a four-team league for the upcoming season.

“The ABL remains a cornerstone of the baseball landscape in Australia, inspiring the next generation to pick up a bat at their local club, providing great experience for fans, and as an essential high-performance pathway for our elite players.

“But, we understand that a change to the model is needed.

“Considerable effort has gone into addressing the ABL model and making the necessary improvements for the league to truly reach its potential.”

ABL General Manager, Paul Gonzalez, told CODE Sports that the 2025/26 competition would go ahead in a reduced format with four teams, including Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Australian Baseball League general manager Paul Gonzalez. Picture: Supplied

Heat CEO Paul Kelly confirmed the initial decision to pull out to CODE Sports, saying numerous factors contributed to the tough decision to withdraw.

“It’s a decision not taken too lightly, and one we’ve been pondering for a couple of weeks given we’ve had some additional information on what the new format would be for the league,” Kelly told CODE Sports.

“This has been on the radar for quite a while.

“The start of last season we had a bit of an upheaval at the club, and we kind of had a reset of the whole business.

“We had a good season, we got to the championship series final and then we started looking at what the progression for the club was going forward.

“The owners have been putting their hands in their pockets for a while to keep the club going and to leave a legacy.”

Losing the Aces and Cavalry, and plans to move to a four-team season contributed to the ultimate decision to withdraw.

The Melbourne Aces pulled out of the ABL in favour of playing in the Korean KBO Fall League. Picture: Ryan Schembri / Adelaide Giants

“(The reduced league) played a part, but I think you’ve gotta look at as taking in the whole lot of it,” Kelly said.

“The guys are distraught about it because they put a lot of effort into it over the years.

“I do feel for them, but it’s purely a decision on the basis of finances going forward.

“It’s not sustainable, it’s just not sustainable.

“Everyone in the sport means well, but I think sometimes you’ve gotta have a reality check and reset to move forward.”

Kelly said it was still unclear whether the Heat would attempt to rejoin the league the following season, like the Cavalry have indicated they will do.

The news comes less than a week after the Blue Sox secured new ownership after months of uncertainty.

Sydney Blue Sox are under new ownership. Picture: Mick Goddard

American-based organisation Black Pearl Sports Group acquired the Blue Sox license for the 2025/26 season and beyond.

Melbourne Aces owner, Bret Ralph cited ongoing issues dealing with ABL head office as a key reason behind his decision to withdraw from the competition.

The ABL says work on developing a sustainable league into the future remains ongoing.

“Over the past eight months, Baseball Australia has been working closely with global sports agency IMG to assist in developing a new vision for the league,” the ABL said in a statement.

“A commercially sustainable league plan that includes more formal participation with our Asian league partners and teams. A league model that not only delivers great outcomes for fans, players and stakeholders domestically but also engages millions of baseball fans across the Asian region and beyond.

“The ABL remains a priority for Baseball Australia both for the 25/26 season and into the future.

“The effort has been extensive, deliberate, and aligned with long-term goals, supported by a group of committed licence holders and stakeholders.

“Game on.”