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Baseball Australia has now given the state government until the end of this financial year to open up negotiations to secure an ABL side ahead of the 2020-21 season. The two parties have been in discussions for more than 18 months over introducing two new franchises. Tasmania missed out on the first round of expansion when tepid interest had been overlooked for overseas bids from Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea sides. But Baseball Tasmania chief executive Cam Vale has expressed his concern the state is being left behind. "There hasn't been a 'no', but it certainly has stalled," Vale said of the talks. "It needs to be picked up soon because we have interest from other parts of the country. The logical next step would be a team in Tassie." The government's support is crucial to help fund part of the $600,000 costs to run an ABL side each season. Baseball Australia plan by the end of October to attach two Asian markets to the new clubs for 12 months later. "My intent is to reach out to the government at the end of this financial year of where we see the potential of where a Tasmanian team and the state would benefit from being a part of the Australian baseball League with our focus on Asia," Vale said. On the back of success from Geelong-Korea, Baseball Australia will look for host cities to affiliate with baseball in Japan and Taiwan. Vale has held talks with the Taiwanese authorities who are keen with the idea of playing out of Tasmania. "Tasmania is still very much on my radar there and would be the key place of interest for us to establish one of those internationally-linked teams," he said. Tasmanian taxpayers have paid Hawthorn $19 million to play four home and away and one preseason match each season for five years. The government also took over a financial deal from Hobart City council to host three North Melbourne fixtures courtesy of TT Line. "My angle on that is Tasmania seems to fight, scrape and claw for a place in the NBL or the A-League, let alone the AFL," he said. "The ABL is willing, able and wanting Tasmania in as either the ninth or tenth team, probably aligned to Taiwan at this stage." Premier Will Hodgman said he was still prepared to consider all reasonable offers from Baseball Australia. "The government welcomes discussions with any national sporting organisation interested in coming to Tasmania," he said. "It's a great show of confidence in our state." The baseball-loving Koreans accounted for more than 55 per cent of the viewing market of online matches involving Geelong despite the side finishing a surprise last. A further 18 per cent of eyeballs on the ABL came from Japan and Taiwan. Love local sport? You should sign up to our new sports newsletter.

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