Sean Guinard - 2017-18 Canberra Cavalry

American turned Aussie Guinard played his third season with the Canberra Cavalry during the 2017-18 ABL season. Just to emphasize his love for his adopted country after marrying a Canberran girl, Guinard even took up playing Australian Rules Football in the AFL Canberra.

2017-18 Canberra Cavalry Sean Guinard card front - ©2018 Adam East

Ryan Bollinger - 2017-18 Brisbane Bandits

Bollinger is an American import who played with the Brisbane Bandits during the 2017-18 ABL season. Bollinger had originally spent three seasons in the Chicago White Sox farm system between 2011 and 2013 before being released and playing independent ball. In 2015 and 2016 he played with the Trois-Rivieres Aigles in the Canadian-American Association.

In 2017 he was playing in Germany and following discussions with the New York Yankees played in the ABL before joining the New York Yankees farm system in 2018, playing for both their Double and Triple A  affiliates.

2017-18 Brisbane Bandits Ryan Bollinger card front - ©2018 Adam East

Jackson Brebner-Russ - 2017-18 Adelaide Bite

Brebner-Russ returned for his third season with the Adelaide Bite during the 2017-18 ABL season.

2017-18 Adelaide Bite Jackson Brebner-Russ card front - ©2018 Adam East

Alex Howe - 2017-18 Sydney Blue Sox

Howe returned for his fourth season with the Sydney Blue Sox and the ABL during the 2017-18 ABL season.

2017-18 Sydney Blue Sox Alex Howe card front - ©2018 Adam East

Jett Wright - 2017-18 Perth Heat

Wright is a 17 year old Aussie rookie who made his ABL debut with the Perth Heat during the 2017-18 ABL season.

2017-18 Perth Heat Jett Wright card front - ©2018 Adam East

Jackson Boyd - 2017-18 Melbourne Aces

Boyd is an Aussie youngster who made his ABL debut with the Melbourne Aces during the 2017-18 ABL season. He was also a member of The Three Amigos from the Aces' bullpen.

2017-18 Melbourne aces Jackson Boyd card front - ©2018 Adam East

2017-18 Melbourne Aces Jackson Boyd alternate card front - ©2018 Adam East

Kyle Perkins - 2017-18 Canberra Cavalry

The older of the Perkins brothers returned for his sixth ABL season with the Cavalry during the 2017-18 ABL season.

I have to say that I was quite happy with the emotion I got in this shot.

2017-18 Canberra Cavalry card front- ©2018 Adam East

So Near, Yet So Far - Start of the 2018-19 ABL Season

Tonight marks the start of the 2018-19 ABL season with the 2 new expansion teams - the Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea joining the competition with the 6 traditional Aussie clubs. Unfortunately for me though, the season still seems so far away. Because of renovations to Canberra's home stadium, they play the first 3 weeks away from home. Their home opening series will actually then occur in Week 4 when I'm away interstate visiting family. I won't actually get to see my first ABL game this season until the second Cavalry home series ... in Week 6 of the competition - basically half way through the season. That kind of sucks.

Below are the promos from the ABL Facebook page for the opening series of the season.

Andrew Campbell - 2017-18 Brisbane Bandits

Despite being only 26 years of age, Campbell is a veteran of the Bandits' lineup, returning for his eighth ABL season with  Brisbane during the 2017-18 ABL season.

2017-18 Brisbane Bandits Andrew Campbell card front - ©2018 Adam East

Jordan McArdle - 2017-18 Adelaide Bite

McArdle is a South Australian youngster who returned for his second season with the Adelaide Bite and in the ABL during the 2017-18 ABL season.McArdle has spent both 2017 and 2018 playing Rookie Level ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Arizona League.

2017-18 Adelaide Bite Jordan McArdle card front - ©2018 Adam East