About Us

Our History

Baseball was first played in the ACT during the 1930s with informal games between public service teams. In 1957, the ACT Baseball Association was formed and the first registered club was Ainslie followed in 1958 by Woden. There is now six clubs in the local competition: Ainslie, Bandits, Eagles, Indians, Vikings and Woden.

Since 2003 the ACTBA aligned its hierarchy with the ABF.  Whereas now the ACTBA Executive consists of a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, General Manager (GM) and up to five Directors.  Apart from the GM these positions have set tenures as per the Constitution but incumbents may be elected again into that or another position.

Prior to 2003 the ACTBA Executive hierarchy consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Public Officer.  The ACTBA Board numbers were comprised of the six club Presidents and a member of the ACTBUA [Umpires] who are responsible for actioning National Directives through the Executive.  
At Canberra's Albert Hall, Ainslie Oval and two gymnasiums, they competed in cultural and sports contests. Melbourne's Sisu 1962 Sports Club pitcher A Veijalainen throws a twister for Veikko Hauvistole, Sydney in the Finnish baseball competition, Sydney were festival champions - Canberra 1965
At Canberra's Ainslie Oval - Melbourne's Sisu 1962 Sports Club pitcher A Veijalainen throws a twister for Veikko Hauvistole, Sydney in the Finnish baseball competition, 1965  - National Archive of Australia - NAA: A12111, 1/1965/17/4

John Keane Award

The John Keane Award is presented at the end of each season at the ACTBA awards nights, it is voted and presented by the ACT Baseball Umpires Association (ACTBUA) to the Catcher who is acknowledged by the Umpires for their work behind the plate, ability and attitude towards the game.
John Keane died while umpiring a Finals game at Narrabundah in 1990.
He loved his baseball and was a great family man, whose sons played in the Canberra competition. John was also a fine umpire who appreciated good play and took his responsibilities on the field seriously.

Following John's death, his colleagues in the ACT Baseball Umpires Association decided to commemorate him by establishing an Award in his name.

Defining the Award 

In honour of John it was decided that the Award be given every year to a catcher.

The motivations behind this decision were:

  • John himself had been a catcher in his youth.
  • The symbiotic relationship between catchers and umpires where each has to do his job properly if both are to prosper.

It was also decided:

  • It would be awarded to the catcher that the umpires most liked working with, one who consistently put in the effort his position required, and did it with congeniality and helpfulness.
  • that every member of the ACTBUA was to participate in the voting, and the nominees could come from any level and any age group in the competition.

Honouring Catchers Who Embody Dedication, Respect, and the Spirit of the Game

In the spirit of the Award, winners have ranged widely in age and in outright ability. Some have indeed been the best catcher in the ACT that year; others have been perhaps less talented but judged better to work with.

In the years since 1990, the Award has taken the form of a permanent plaque inscribed with the names of all of the winners, to be held by the winner through the following year; a commemorative token to be retained by the winner; and a cheque.

It has been pleasing in recent years to see many of those who have won the Award, and many who have come close to winning in the balloting, rise from the ranks of younger catchers.

John Keane would be pleased.

Recipients of the John Keane Award

    1. 2024

    2. Teila Jaques (Women’s team)

    3. Eagles

    1. 2024

    2. Tim Yeomans (1st Grade)

    3. Bandits

    1. 2015

    2. Cameron Tilly / Taylor Medhurst

    3. Vikings / Rebels

    1. 2014

    2. Cameron Tilly

    3. Vikings

    1. 2013

    2. Brendan Lentell

    3. Eagles

    1. 2012

    2. Robbie Perkins

    3. Rebels

    1. 2011

    2. Jacob Shaw

    3. Eagles

    1. 2010

    2. Ben Dries / Dean Stoka

    3. Eagles / Bandits

    1. 2009

    2. Ben Dries

    3. Eagles

    1. 2008

    2. Ben Dries

    3. Eagles

    1. 2006

    2. Lee Mills

    3. Ainsle

    1. 2005

    2. K-P Kalman

    3. Indians

    1. 2004

    2. Dom Trussler

    3. Rebels (Woden)

    1. 2002

    2. Grant Pearson

    3. Bandits

    1. 2000

    2. Michael Collins

    3. Bandits

    1. 1999

    2. Brent Phelan

    3. Eagles

    1. 1998

    2. Matt Hogan

    3. Eagles

    1. 1997

    2. Dom Trussler

    3. Rebels (Woden)

    1. 1996

    2. Michael O’Brien

    3. Indians

    1. 1995

    2. Peter Crutchfield

    3. Ainslie

    1. 1994

    2. Mark O’Loughlin

    3. Rebels (Woden)

    1. 1993

    2. Dean Hadley

    3. Vikings

    1. 1992

    2. Rick Horwood

    3. Indians

    1. 1991

    2. Scott MacDonald

    3. Indians

    1. 1990

    2. Sander Warrener

    3. Bandits (Wests)

Acknowledging the work of the catcher

Umpires know that a catcher has to work especially hard to get down and to frame the pitch correctly if a proper strike zone is to be achieved and held and are more than aware that catchers take a fair amount of bruising in the effort to protect the men in blue behind them. 

They also appreciate the way that catchers get on with the job, civilly and amiably, even when all the calls don't go the way they would like.