{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}} {{Infobox sports season | sport = Baseball | league = Australian Baseball League | no_of_teams = 8 | duration = {{start and end date|1997|10|31|1998|02|15|df=y}} | season = Regular season | MVP = Brendan Kingman (Sydney Storm) | finals = Finals Series | finals_venue = Melbourne Ballpark | finals_champ = Melbourne Reds (3rd title) | finals_runner-up = Gold Coast Cougars | no_of_games = 211 | attendance = | prevseason_link = 1996–97 Australian Baseball League season | prevseason_year = 1996–97 | nextseason_link = 1998–99 Australian Baseball League season | nextseason_year = 1998–99 }} 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: {{ABL team | ADEG}}, {{ABL team | BRIB}}, {{ABL team | GOLD}}, {{ABL team | HUNT}}, {{ABL team | MELM}}, {{ABL team | MELR}}, {{ABL team | PERH}} and {{ABL team | SYDS}}. 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== {{Australia locator map | size = 400 | adelaide-label = Adelaide Giants | adelaide-bb-icon = giants | brisbane-label = Brisbane Bandits | brisbane-bb-icon = bandits | gold-coast-label = Gold Coast Cougars | gold-coast-bb-icon = Cougars | melbourne-label = Melbourne Reds | melbourne-bb-icon = reds | geelong-label = Melbourne Monarchs | geelong-bb-icon = monarchs | perth-label = Perth Heat | perth-bb-icon = heat | newcastle-label = Hunter Eagles | newcastle-bb-icon =eagles | sydney-label = Sydney Storm | sydney-bb-icon = storm }}
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 {{ABL season|1998–99}} season, The Bushrangers previously folded at the end of the {{ABL season|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.
*1997–98 Melbourne Monarchs season#Roster *1997–98 Melbourne Reds season#Roster *1997–98 Perth Heat season#Roster *1997–98 Sydney Storm season#Roster
=== Venues ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:100%;" |+ Teams in the ABL ! scope="col" | Team ! scope="col" | City ! scope="col" | State ! scope="col" | Stadium ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | ADEG}} | Adelaide | South Australia | Norwood Oval | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | BRIB}} | Brisbane | Queensland | Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | GOLD}} | Gold Coast | Queensland | Carrara Oval | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | HUNT}} | Newcastle | New South Wales | Newcastle International Sports Centre | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | MELM}} | Melbourne | Victoria | Melbourne Ballpark | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | MELR}} | Melbourne | Victoria | Moorabbin Oval | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | PERH}} | Perth | Western Australia | WACA Ground | |- ! scope="row" | {{ABL team | SYDS}} | Sydney | New South Wales | Concord Oval | |}
==Regular season==
===Round 1: 31 October – 5 November 1997=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {{Infobox baseball game |year = 1997 |game = Australian Baseball League All-Star Game |image = |caption = |date = 12-13 December 1997 |venue = Carrara Oval |city = Gold Coast }} The All-Stars Weekend, was the first series of All-Star exhibition games held by the Australian Baseball League. The games were contested over two nights at Carrara Oval on the Gold Coast, The then home of the Gold Coast Cougars franchise.<ref name="FAI Cup Pitches new finals format and all star competition as baseball bats up for the summer of 1997/1998.">{{cite web|title=FAI Cup Pitches new finals format and all star competition as baseball bats up for the summer of 1997/1998. |url=http://www.yellowpages.com.au/reds/releases/98_sum.htm |work=Press Release |publisher=Australian Baseball League |accessdate=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980630204341/http://www.yellowpages.com.au/reds/releases/98_sum.htm |archivedate=June 30, 1998 }}</ref>
The games were played between the Australian All-Stars, USA All-Stars and the 1997 Japanese Industrial League Champions the Mitsubishi Juko Kobe. The Australian and USA All-Star teams were selected from players who were at the time playing in the Australian Baseball League.<ref name="FAI Cup Pitches new finals format and all star competition as baseball bats up for the summer of 1997/1998."/>
==== Game 1: Australian All-Stars vs Mitsubishi Juko Kobe==== {{linescore | Date = 12 December 1997 | Time = 19:00 | Location = Carrara Oval, Gold Coast | Road = Mitsubishi Juko Kobe | RoadAbr = MJK | R1 = | R2 = | R3 = | R4 = | R5 = | R6 = | R7 = | R8 = | R9 = | RR =? | RH = | RE = | Home = Australian All-Stars | HomeAbr = AUS | H1 = | H2 = | H3 = | H4 = | H5 = | H6 = | H7 = | H8 = | H9 = | HR =? | HH = | HE = | WP = | LP = | SV = | HomeHR = | RoadHR = | Attendance = | BoxURL = }}
==== Game 2: Australian All-Stars vs USA All-Stars==== {{linescore | Date = 13 December 1997 | Time = 19:00 | Location = Carrara Oval, Gold Coast | Road = '''USA All-Stars''' | RoadAbr = USA | R1 = | R2 = | R3 = | R4 = | R5 = | R6 = | R7 = | R8 = | R9 = | RR = 15 | RH = | RE = | Home = Australian All-Stars | HomeAbr = AUS | H1 = | H2 = | H3 = | H4 = | H5 = | H6 = | H7 = | H8 = | H9 = | HR = 9 | HH = | HE = | WP = | LP = | SV = | HomeHR = | RoadHR = | Attendance = | BoxURL = }}
===Round 7: 14–16 December 1997=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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=== <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL | section=Regular season | for_against_style = none | show_GB = y | ranking_style = % | team1 = MELM| name_MELM = {{ABL team|MELM|season=1997–98}} | win_MELM = 32 |loss_MELM = 20 | team2 = SYDS| name_SYDS = {{ABL team|SYDS|season=1997–98}} | win_SYDS = 32 |loss_SYDS = 22 | team3 = MELR| name_MELR = {{ABL team|MELR|season=1997–98}} | win_MELR = 30 |loss_MELR = 21 | team4 = GOLD| name_GOLD = {{ABL team|GOLD|season=1997–98}} | win_GOLD = 31 |loss_GOLD = 22 | team5 = PERH| name_PERH = {{ABL_team|PERH|season=1997–98}} | win_PERH = 30 |loss_PERH = 23 | team6 = ADEG| name_ADEG = {{ABL team|ADEG|season=1997–98}} | win_ADEG = 26 |loss_ADEG = 27 | team7 = BRIB| name_BRIB = {{ABL team|BRIB|season=1997–98}} | win_BRIB = 20 |loss_BRIB = 33 | team8 = HUNT| name_HUNT = {{ABL team|HUNT|season=1997–98}} | win_HUNT = 10 |loss_HUNT = 43
|res_col_header = Q |col_FS = green1 |text_FS = Advance to Finals Series |result1=FS |result2=FS |result3=FS |result4=FS | update = complete|source= }}</onlyinclude>
===Top 10 Stats=== {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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 |} {{col-break|gap=1em}} {| class="wikitable" |- |+ 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 |} {{col-end}}
==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.<ref name="FAI Cup Pitches new finals format and all star competition as baseball bats up for the summer of 1997/1998."/>
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.<ref name="FAI Cup Pitches new finals format and all star competition as baseball bats up for the summer of 1997/1998."/>
===Finals Series===
====Game 1: 10 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road='''Gold Coast Cougars'''|RoadAbr=Cougars |R1=?|R2=?|R3=?|R4=?|R5=?|R6=?|R7=?|R8=?|R9=?|RR=7|RH=?|RE=? |Home=Melbourne Monarchs|HomeAbr=Monarchs |H1=?|H2=?|H3=?|H4=?|H5=?|H6=?|H7=?|H8=?|H9=?|HR=5|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=? (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=?|HomeHR=? |}}
====Game 2: 10 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road='''Melbourne Reds'''|RoadAbr=Reds |R1=?|R2=?|R3=?|R4=?|R5=?|R6=?|R7=?|R8=?|R9=?|RR=18|RH=?|RE=? |Home=Sydney Storm|HomeAbr=Storm |H1=?|H2=?|H3=?|H4=?|H5=?|H6=?|H7=?|H8=?|H9=?|HR=5|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=? (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=?|HomeHR=? |}}
====Game 3: 11 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road=Melbourne Monarchs|RoadAbr=Monarchs |R1=?|R2=?|R3=?|R4=?|R5=?|R6=?|R7=?|R8=?|R9=?|RR=1|RH=?|RE=? |Home='''Sydney Storm'''|HomeAbr=Storm |H1=?|H2=?|H3=?|H4=?|H5=?|H6=?|H7=?|H8=?|H9=?|HR=5|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=? (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=?|HomeHR=? |}}
====Game 4: 11 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road=Gold Coast Cougars|RoadAbr=Cougars |R1=?|R2=?|R3=?|R4=?|R5=?|R6=?|R7=?|R8=?|R9=?|RR=1|RH=?|RE=? |Home='''Melbourne Reds'''|HomeAbr=Reds |H1=?|H2=?|H3=?|H4=?|H5=?|H6=?|H7=?|H8=?|H9=?|HR=2|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=? (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=?|HomeHR=? |}}
====Game 5: 12 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road=Sydney Storm|RoadAbr=Storm |R1=?|R2=?|R3=?|R4=?|R5=?|R6=?|R7=?|R8=?|R9=?|RR=6|RH=?|RE=? |Home='''Gold Coast Cougars'''|HomeAbr=Cougars |H1=?|H2=?|H3=?|H4=?|H5=?|H6=?|H7=?|H8=?|H9=?|HR=8|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=? (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=?|HomeHR=? |}}
====Game 6: 12 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road='''Melbourne Monarchs'''|RoadAbr=Monarchs |R1=?|R2=?|R3=?|R4=?|R5=?|R6=?|R7=?|R8=?|R9=?|RR=12|RH=?|RE=? |Home=Melbourne Reds|HomeAbr=Reds |H1=?|H2=?|H3=?|H4=?|H5=?|H6=?|H7=?|H8=?|H9=?|HR=5|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=? (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=?|HomeHR=? |}}
===Postseason Ladder=== <onlyinclude>{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WL | section = Postseason | for_against_style = runs |ranking_style = % | show_GB = y | team1 = MELR| name_MELR = {{ABL team|MELR|season=1997–98}} | team2 = GOLD| name_GOLD = {{ABL team|GOLD|season=1997–98}} | team3 = MELM| name_MELM = {{ABL team|MELM|season=1997–98}} | team4 = SYDS| name_SYDS = {{ABL team|SYDS|season=1997–98}} | win_MELR = 2 | loss_MELR = 1 | pf_MELR = 25 | pa_MELR = 18 | win_GOLD = 2 | loss_GOLD = 1 | pf_GOLD = 16 | pa_GOLD = 13 | win_MELM = 1 | loss_MELM = 2 | pf_MELM = 18 | pa_MELM = 17 | win_SYDS = 1 | loss_SYDS = 2 | pf_SYDS = 16 | pa_SYDS = 27 | res_col_header = Q | col_C = #bbffbb | text_C = Advance to Championship series | result1 = C | result2 = C | update = complete|source= }}</onlyinclude>
===Championship Series===
====Game 1: 14 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road=Gold Coast Cougars|RoadAbr=Cougars |R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=3|R8=0|R9=0|RR=3|RH=?|RE=? |Home='''Melbourne Reds'''|HomeAbr=Reds |H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=2|H6=0|H7=1|H8=0|H9=-|HR=4|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=David White (1-0)|LP=? (0-1)|SV=? |RoadHR=-|HomeHR=Shane Hogan (1) |}}
====Game 2: 15 February 1998==== {{Linescore| |Road='''Melbourne Reds'''|RoadAbr=Reds |R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=1|R7=0|R8=3|R9=0|RR=4|RH=6|RE=? |Home=Gold Coast Cougars|HomeAbr=Cougars |H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=0|HH=?|HE=? |RSP=|HSP= |WP=Jason Beverlin (1-0)|LP=Paxton Crawford (0-1)|SV=- |RoadHR=Shane Hogan (1), Myles Barnden (1)|HomeHR=- |}}
==Awards== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Award ! Person ! Team |- |'''Batting Champion''' |Brendan Kingman |{{ABL team|SYDS}} |- |'''Golden Glove''' |Glenn Williams |{{ABL team|SYDS}} |- |'''Manager of the Year''' |Tom Nieto |{{ABL team|MELR}} |- |'''Most Valuable Player''' |Brendan Kingman |{{ABL team|SYDS}} |- |'''Championship M.V.P.''' |Shane Hogan |{{ABL team|MELR}} |- |'''Rookie of the Year''' |Rodney Van Buizen |{{ABL team|HUNT}} |- |'''Reliever of the Year''' |Gabe Molina |{{ABL team|PERH}} |- |'''Pitcher of the Year''' |Erick Nelson |{{ABL team|MELM}} |- |'''Umpire of the Year''' |Gerard Tancred |New South Wales |}
==All-Star Team== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position ! Name ! Team |- |'''Catcher''' |Gary White |{{ABL team|SYDS}} |- |'''1st Base''' |Ron Johnson |{{ABL team|GOLD}} |- |'''2nd Base''' |Adam Burton |{{ABL team|MELR}} |- |'''3rd Base''' |Paul Gorman |{{ABL team|GOLD}} |- |'''Short Stop''' |Ben Utting |{{ABL team|MELR}} |- |'''Out Field''' |Glen Barker |{{ABL team|BRIB}} |- |'''Out Field''' |Trent Durrington |{{ABL team|GOLD}} |- |'''Out Field''' |Grant McDonald |{{ABL team|BRIB}} |- |'''Designated Hitter''' |Brendan Kingman |{{ABL team|SYDS}} |- |'''Starting Pitcher''' |Erick Nelson |{{ABL team|MELM}} |- |'''Relief Pitcher''' |Gabe Molina |{{ABL team|PERH}} |- |'''Manager''' |Tom Nieto |{{ABL team|MELR}} |}
== References == {{Reflist}} * {{cite book | last=Flintoff | first=Peter | last2=Dunn | first2=Adrian | title=Flintoff & Dunn's Australian Baseball League Almanac 1998 Edition | publisher=Flintoff & Dunn | location=Melbourne |date=August 1998}}
{{1997–98 Australian Baseball League|state=autocollapse}} {{Australian Baseball League}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1997-98 Australian Baseball League Season}} Category:1997–98 Australian Baseball League season Category:Australian Baseball League (1989–1999) seasons Category:1997 in Australian sport Category:1997 in baseball Category:1998 in Australian sport Category:1998 in baseball