Canberra Cavalry get much-needed ABL boost

The ACT and NSW governments have provided written documentation and the Cavalry look to have sourced some reasonably priced flights to bring their overseas players down under.

It appears wires had become crossed about exactly what was needed from who.

The Canberra Times contacted Australian Border Force, who clarified exactly what paperwork was required.

"The ABF requires elite sports teams from overseas to provide a letter of support from the state or territory where they will initially arrive and quarantine," an ABF spokesperson said.

"This is to ensure public hotel quarantine places are available, or any private quarantine arrangements are endorsed, prior to travel exemptions being considered."

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As per the information that had been provided to the ABL initially, the Cavalry had been seeking a letter of authority from the ACT government since October 19.

When Chief Minister Andrew Barr's office became aware of the hold up this week they contacted the ABF and were told only the state of arrival needed to provide written authority.

In most cases that will be NSW.

That's been provided, while the ACT have provided written confirmation the Cavalry imports can enter and play in Canberra.

Now the Cavalry should be able to get everything in place to bring their players, which included former MLB players JJ Hoover, Shawn Morimando and Rob Whalen, to arrive in Australia by November 27.

That will allow them to do two weeks' quarantine and then one week's training in time for their first series - against the Perth Heat in Perth starting December 18.

It should make for a blockbuster New Year's Eve, when the Cavalry will host arch-rivals Sydney Blue Sox - led by two-time World Series winner Manny Ramirez - as part of a different-looking ABL draw released on Friday.

The former Boston Red Sock earned more than $280 million across his MLB career.

Canberra's first home games will be against the Melbourne Aces on Boxing Day and December 27, before trips up and down the Hume Highway to take on the Blue Sox in six games over seven days - including the New Year's Eve clash at Narrabundah Ballpark.

Coronavirus allowing, the Cavalry will form part of an Adelaide baseball bubble where they'll play the home-town Giants and Brisbane Bandits in mid January.

They'll finish the regular season hosting both those teams at The Fort at the end of January before hopefully launching into a finals campaign.

Cavalry boss Donn McMichael thinks he's found more affordable flights as well, with concerns it could cost up to $15,000 per player.

"Our intention now is to file applications for all of [the 10 imports]," McMichael said.

"The Canberra Times were influential in getting it through."

ABL DRAW

December 18-20: Canberra Cavalry v Perth Heat at Perth.

December 26-27: Canberra Cavalry v Melbourne Aces at Narrabundah Ballpark.

December 28: Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox at Blacktown.

December 29, 31: Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox at Narrabundah Ballpark.

January 1-3: Canberra Cavalry v Sydney Blue Sox at Blacktown.

January 7-10: Canberra Cavalry v Perth Heat at Narrabundah Ballpark.

January 18: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits; Canberra Cavalry v Adelaide Giants at Adelaide.

January 19: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits at Adelaide.

January 20: Canberra Cavalry v Adelaide Giants at Adelaide.

January 28-29: Canberra Cavalry v Adelaide Giants at Narrabundah Ballpark.

January 30-31: Canberra Cavalry v Brisbane Bandits at Narrabundah Ballpark.