Sports
As an Aussie makes baseball history, the sport’s dark past is a clue to why it never took off here
Ray Nickson, University of Newcastle
Earlier this month, Travis Bazzana made history as the first Australian selected number one in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.
Bazzana will join the Cleveland Guardians after playing college baseball for Oregon State.
Following his selection, Bazzana, originally from Wahroonga, NSW, said he wanted to help “make Australia a powerhouse in baseball”.
Baseball NSW was quick to predict Bazzana’s achievement would “have a significant impact” on the popularity and growth of baseball in Australia.
From growing up playing cricket in Sydney, Australia, to being picked number 1 in the MLB Draft, Travis Bazzana has had quite the journey
pic.twitter.com/IDEgARBIPS— MLB Europe (@MLBEurope) July 17, 2024
Almost 100 years ago, baseball figures in Australia made similar claims, only to be undone by theft and fraud.
The crimes of a baseball official setback the growth of baseball in Australia.
Baseball’s long history in Australia
While baseball has a long history in Australia – the first recorded game was in Melbourne in 1855 – it has always been a niche sport here.
In 1888, sporting goods businessman Albert Goodwill Spalding included Australia in his world baseball tour.
Later, the MLB teams the Chicago White Sox and New York Giants visited Australia during their 1913-1914 world tour.
While Australians were intrigued, press coverage suggested a suspicion that baseball might challenge cricket for popularity and by the 1920s, cricket had established its position as Australia’s preeminent sport.
However, Australia’s press and public was willing to accept baseball as a novelty and winter sport for training summer cricketers.
In fact, cricketers’ participation in baseball as a winter sport was instrumental to the American game’s early success in Australia.
Australia’s baseball devotees worked tirelessly to promote the sport locally in the first quarter of the 20th century. It was in these circumstances that two tours of American amateur teams were arranged.
Stanford University made the first visit in 1928. Then in 1929, Portland’s respected Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club sent a team to Australia.
Both tours included fetes, parades, baseball tournaments and civic receptions, while local dignitaries celebrated the touring players.
Local businesses supported the tours, with motor vehicle manufacturer Studebaker offering a fleet of cars to take players on a motorcade procession through Sydney after arriving by ship.
Contemporary records show the tours generated immense interest in the sport. Participation in local baseball competitions boomed afterwards.
Australian baseball authorities made efforts to entice American coaches to Australia to develop the game locally.
Plans were made for future tours to capitalise on the growing interest in the sport.
One reason baseball failed to continue this growth was because the tours had been funded by criminal fraud.
The crime that set baseball back
Cecil J. Asprey was honorary secretary of the Australian Baseball Council and chairman of the executive of the New South Wales Baseball Association. He was instrumental in arranging the tours by Stanford University and Multnomah Amateur Athletics Club.
He was referenced in the press following the tours, noting Australian interest in baseball, and American interest in Australian baseball, had risen significantly.
When the tours lost money, it became apparent Asprey had funded them with money stolen from clients of the solicitors he worked for.
By May 1931, after unsuccessful attempts to arrange subsequent tours, it all unravelled for Asprey. He was first charged in the Central Police Court on May 7 1931, and immediately revealed the money had been used to fund the activities of the baseball association.
Asprey’s lawyer told the court “he has not received a single penny of the funds himself – that the whole of the money was definitely paid into the account of the association”.
Eventually, Asprey was charged with 21 counts of forgery, embezzlement and larceny.
The story of his crimes and its impact on baseball in Australia was made all the worse due to the vulnerability of his victims.
Asprey’s victims “were generally women, most of them widows”, some with limited English.
One victim, Rosina Melit, a migrant from Italy, told the court how Asprey took her money to discharge her mortgage. He never paid the mortgage off.
This was a crime Asprey committed against more than one victim. A detective-sergeant at Asprey’s trial noted he had “a happy knack of getting on the soft side of widows and a widower”.
Asprey told the court he had used everything he stole to bring over international baseball players.
“I know I have done wrong. I am willing to hand over everything I possess,” Asprey advised the court.
He was sentenced to five years’ hard labour. He left a wife and two children when he went to jail.
The tours Asprey organised generated enormous interest. While participation increased in the local leagues in the seasons that followed, that momentum was not maintained. This was in part because further tours never materialised.
Asprey was still trying to arrange future tours up until his arrest.
Had Asprey and baseball authorities in Australia been able to fund tours legitimately, it is very likely the popularity of the sport would have continued to grow.
What may the future hold?
Baseball has always had a devoted, though relatively small, following in Australia. Despite successes, including a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, it has remained a minor sport.
In the 2000s and 2010s, baseball participation either increased or decreased, depending on the source.
In 2022 Baseball Australia released a national plan to increase participation at all levels.
Baseball’s governing body in Australia also hoped the country’s success in the 2023 World Baseball Classic would drive interest in the sport.
Bazzana’s pick as number one in the MLB draft will certainly contribute to interest in “the old ball game,” as it is sometimes nicknamed, in Australia.
Whether that translates into increased participation remains to be seen.
We can only imagine how many more Bazzana’s Australia might have produced but for the crimes that derailed baseball’s growth in Australia.
Ray Nickson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Newcastle Law School, University of Newcastle
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Unmasking the Deception: The $300 Million Fraud Case Surrounding Arizona Athletic Grounds
Randy and Chad Miller face serious fraud charges after allegedly defrauding investors out of $300 million in their failed sports complex, revealing a cautionary tale for investors.
In a tale that intertwines ambition with deceit, the shocking story of Randy and Chad Miller, the father-son duo behind what was once touted as the largest sports and entertainment complex in the United States, has taken a dark turn. Opening the sprawling Bell Bank Park—which boasts an impressive 194 fields and courts—in East Mesa just three years ago, the Millers had big dreams. But now, they find themselves embroiled in a federal indictment that claims they defrauded investors out of nearly $300 million.
A Grand Vision Becomes a Nightmare
The original vision for the sports complex, which has since been rebranded as Arizona Athletic Grounds, was ambitious. Randy Miller, the mastermind behind the project, had long dreamed of creating a hub for sports and entertainment that would attract families, athletes, and fans from across the nation. After years of planning and investment, the facility finally opened its doors, seemingly fulfilling a lifelong dream.
However, dreams of grandeur have turned into a nightmare, as the Millers face serious allegations of using the facility as a front for an elaborate fraud scheme. With the company declaring bankruptcy in 2023—reporting debts of a staggering $366 million—investors and stakeholders are left reeling.
The Allegations: A Web of Fraud and Deceit
According to the federal indictment, Randy and Chad Miller allegedly enriched themselves at the expense of investors, using funds raised from municipal bonds for personal luxuries rather than for the intended purpose of constructing and operating the sports complex. The FBI claims they employed fraudulent documents and misrepresented the financial viability of the project to lure in unsuspecting investors.
From lavish purchases of luxury vehicles to alleged misappropriation of funds for personal expenses, their actions paint a picture of greed and entitlement. Not only did the Millers reportedly pay themselves significantly beyond disclosed salaries, but they also misled investors with false financial projections and forged documentation purporting to show interest from customers.
A Cautionary Tale for Investors
This case serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of investing in large-scale projects. The Millers poured their aspirations into the Arizona Athletic Grounds but masked disappointing financial realities with misleading projections and falsified documents. The initial feasibility study performed in 2016 indicated the project would generate significantly lower revenues than anticipated—a warning sign that went ignored in pursuit of ambition.
In a staggering twist, the project opened to a far cry from its projected success, generating less than $28 million in its first year compared to the nearly $96 million touted to investors. With bankruptcy filings showing that investors recouped a paltry sum of less than $2.5 million from their $284 million investment, many are left to ponder how their trust could be so easily manipulated.
Legal Ramifications and Future Implications
As the case unfolds, Randy and Chad Miller are facing severe legal consequences, including charges for wire fraud, securities fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they could spend decades in prison, a sobering reality for the once-celebrated entrepreneurs. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is also pursuing parallel action, further complicating matters for the Millers.
This incident not only reflects the pitfalls that entrepreneurs can face but also highlights the responsibilities of investors to conduct thorough due diligence before committing funds to any venture. The tale of the Millers serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity, transparency, and community trust in business practices.
Conclusion
As this saga continues to unfold, the story of the Arizona Athletic Grounds serves as a reflection on ambition gone awry. It’s a stark reminder that behind every grand vision lies the essential need for honesty and ethical conduct. The community of East Mesa, once hopeful for a thriving sports destination, now faces the challenge of moving forward, learning from the past, and rebuilding trust in local business ventures. We can only hope that the lessons from this cautionary tale resonate not just within the realm of sports and entertainment but across all industries that forge the backbone of our economy.
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Excitement is building for pickleball fans and sports enthusiasts alike as the highly anticipated documentary Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story is set to premiere on April 11, 2025, on truTV. This film captures the thrilling evolution of pickleball from a casual pastime to a burgeoning professional sport, offering an inside look at a fierce power struggle between two billionaire moguls determined to shape its future.
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Constantly Evolving Pickleball Story
With its rich narrative and compelling characters, Dreambreaker goes beyond the court to reveal the passion and politics that define the sport. Set your calendars for April 11 and prepare for a captivating journey that promises to enhance your appreciation of pickleball and its growing cultural significance. Don’t miss the chance to witness the drama and dreams that characterize this exhilarating game!
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STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
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