By ADEM SARICAOGLU
OUTGOING Melbourne Aces manager Phil Dale insists reports he chose to walk away from the Altona-based organisation are not entirely accurate.
Dale had led the Aces since their inception in the Australian Baseball League – but the club decided to advertise for his position after a 22-24 season.
“I saw the media release that said more or less I was walking away but I think it was the other way,” Dale told Star.
“But it doesn’t matter either which way. I’m not involved.
“I was more or less told they were advertising for my position and when someone advertises for your position, it’s obvious they’re looking somewhere else.
“They wanted to advertise for my position so after the meeting, that was fine. No problem.
“It’s a sporting club, but I’m not one to walk away.”
While a full-time role, Dale’s commitment to the Aces was limited to the ABL season itself, which runs for about four months during the summer.
However, Dale juggled his Aces role with his main full-time gig as a scout for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves.
Dale is also a pitching coach for the Australian national team – which recently took part in the MLB’s opening series weekend at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Once Dale learned his Aces position was up for grabs, it was decided it was best to part ways.
Dale says he won’t hold a grudge and may still look to be involved with the Aces in other capacities down the line.
He saw the Aces job as an opportunity to help develop the growing sport down under, and has taken great pleasure in watching its progress in recent years.
“I just told them I’ve got other things to do – which I do,” Dale said.
“I’ve been involved in baseball my whole life and I make my living through baseball in other places.
“It’s not big money out here at the moment so I do it more for the development of baseball in this country. That’s why I get involved and it’s only a four-month commitment, full-time.
“It’s a very raw league and it’s been developing every year so hopefully it’ll get better and better.”
