New ABL club Auckland Tuatara were hoping to take two of its five home series to Australia in lieu of an initial permanent venue in the city. 

But a clash of dates at UTAS Stadium with cricket’s Big Bash League on December 30 and January 31 has forced Baseball Australia to rule out the possibility of eight games shifting to Launceston.

It effectively had also ruled out playing any single games of either four-game series in Burnie or Devonport.

The two Auckland series are scheduled to be played on December 20-23 against Adelaide Bite and January 17-20 against Melbourne Aces.

“Despite our desire to bring a series this year to Tasmania and good discussions locally, in particular with UTAS [Stadium],” Baseball Australia chief executive Cam Vale said, “the clash with cricket means the two available series from Auckland Tuatara wouldn’t work.”

Vale ruled out North Hobart Oval as a venue over inadequate lighting for games. 

Launceston City general manager Michael Stretton said it was unfortunate the timeframe was not suitable at this stage to host baseball.

“But with that said, we would always welcome further discussions with Baseball Australia to host future games at the Stadium,” he said, “and we strongly believe that bringing new and exciting sporting fixtures to Launceston is key to driving future participation and economic benefits for the city.”