Commencing in the 2025–26 Season, Baseball WA will implement a Player Points System (PPS) in the State League competition to support greater competitive balance and sustainability across all clubs.
The PPS is designed to limit the number of high-rated players fielded by a team in each game, encouraging clubs to retain and develop local talent while fostering a stronger and more balanced league overall. Each player is assigned a points value based on their playing history and experience, and each club must manage a game-day team within a set points cap.
This system is the result of a 12-month consultation process with all State League clubs, including individual meetings and discussions to explore how the PPS works and how it aligns with each club’s long-term development goals. Feedback received throughout this process has shaped the final design and implementation approach for the upcoming season.
Here’s a breakdown of the State League Player Points System:
1. Player Points Allocation:
Categorization:Players are categorized based on their Nationality as well as their playing history (Perth Heat / Team Australia) and their length of service to a particular club.
Points Values:
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1 point: Players without recent ABL or International Experience as well as having a long standing history of playing with a club.
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3 points: Players who were previously classified as Import Players, Imports on Student VISAs, recently retired ABL players as well as players who have transferred clubs in the last 3 seasons.
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4 points: Assigned to players with significant experience representing Team Australia, Import players from Japan or Korea, as well as players who have transferred clubs post College or the Under 18s Australian Youth Championships team.
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5 points: Assigned to Import players from the USA, Canada and Latin America.
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6 points: Assigned to Current Team Australia players who have transferred clubs.
2. Total Team Points Cap:
Clubs have a maximum total points limit (30 points per game) that they can spend on their team’s player points allocation.
Points will be accumulated as players enter the game, not on the players who are listed on the roster who take no part.
The points cap is designed to ensure a more level playing field and prevent clubs from accumulating too many high-rated players.
3. Purpose of the System:
The Points System aims to promote player retention and discourage frequent player movement between clubs. It encourages clubs to develop their own talent and focus on building strong, sustainable programs. The system also helps to create a more competitive league by limiting the financial and/or competitive advantages some clubs might have in attracting players.