Philip Dale
Encyclopedia
Phillip Dale was an Australian minor league baseball
player and is currently a coach with the Australia national baseball team
.
Dale has had a long and illustrious baseball career and was the first Australian to get a 4-year baseball scholarship to an American university
(Georgia Southern University
). He also was a pitcher for the Australian national team, spent 4 seasons in the minor leagues, reaching AA. Dale then became one of the best players in the Australian Baseball League, setting several records. After his playing career, he went into scouting and coaching, including being the pitching coach for a silver medal
Athens 2004 Olympics Australian Olympic baseball team.
(Baseball World Cup). After which, he travelled to the USA and pitched for Georgia Southern University
, the first Australian baseball player to win a 4-year scholarship to a USA college
. He was undrafted but signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds
and debuted in 1985 for the GCL Reds, going a very impressive 2-2 with 7 saves and a 0.89 ERA in 15 games for the team. He tied John Tanner for the Gulf Coast League
lead in saves and made the GCL All-Star team that year. He was then promoted to the Tampa Tarpons
and was 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA.
Phil was with Tampa for all of 1986, going a reasonable 5-4 with 3 saves and a 2.80 ERA. In '87, Dale was 4-4 with 12 saves for the Cedar Rapids Reds, posting a 2.95 ERA. He was released at the end of the 1988 season, when he had a 4-10 and a 4.30 ERA. Dale then moved on to work as a minor league coach in the Reds and Atlanta Braves
chain following the end of his playing career in the USA.
. He picked up an even rarer Triple Crown, though, winning honours as Pitcher of the Year, Most Valuable Player on top of Manager of the Year.
Dale fell to 7-3, 3.18 in the 1990-1991 Australian Baseball League, still impressive figures however. Phil went an identical 7-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 1991-1992, being was second to Adrian Meagher in ERA and tied him for wins. In 1992-1993, Dale posted a 3-5, 7 Sv, 2.47 after being moved to the bullpen. He won Manager of the Year honours and was the All-Star relief pitcher.
Dale went 4-5 with five saves and a 2.72 ERA in 1993-1994, and in the 1994-1995 ABL, he returned to rotation, but giving up managing to concentrate on playing, which worked, going 12-2 with 2 saves and ended up winning Pitcher of the Year honours for the second time, then picked up the championship round MVP award as the Reds won their second pennant. He tossed a 4-hitter against the Perth Heat
to win the championship.
The Melbourne native fell to 4-5 with 3 saves, a 4.46 ERA in 1995-1996, but then moved to the Melbourne Monarchs
for the next season. In the 1996-1997 ABL, Dale posted a 9-7, 3.70 record, tying for the most wins in the league. He went 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup
for the Australia national baseball team
, leading the side in ERA.
In the 1997-1998 Australian Baseball League, the now ageing Dale was 8-3 with a 4.03 ERA; in 1091/3 innings, he struck out 95 and walked 19. He led the ABL in complete games (9), wins, innings pitched and strikeouts. Back on the international scene, Dale pitched for Australia in the 1998 Baseball World Cup
, going 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA. During the 1998-1999 ABL campaign he was less impressive, going 2-4 and a 4.56 ERA for the Monarchs to conclude his professional playing career.
Dale was 65-39 with 18 saves and a 3.19 ERA in a decade in the Australian Baseball League. He completed 58 of 102 starts. Dale was 5th all-time in the ABL in ERA, .10 ahead of big leaguer Pat Ahearne
and .28 ahead of another big leaguer, Shayne Bennett
. He was also first in wins (but also losses), innings pitched.
, 2004 Olympics (silver medalists), 2005 Baseball World Cup
, 2006 World Baseball Classic
, 2006 Intercontinental Cup, 2007 Baseball World Cup
, 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament and 2009 World Baseball Classic
. Dale is also a scout for the Atlanta Braves
, covering South Korea
and Taiwan
in addition to Australia.
Dale was announced as the Melbourne Aces
head coach in the new Australian Baseball League
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
player and is currently a coach with the Australia national baseball team
Australia national baseball team
The Australian national baseball team represents Australia in international baseball tournaments and competitions. They are ranked as the top team in Oceania, and are the Oceanian Champions, having been awarded the title in 2007 when New Zealand withdrew from the Oceania Baseball Championship. They...
.
Dale has had a long and illustrious baseball career and was the first Australian to get a 4-year baseball scholarship to an American university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
(Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a national public university located on a campus in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1906, it is part of the University System of Georgia and is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia offering 117 academic majors in a comprehensive...
). He also was a pitcher for the Australian national team, spent 4 seasons in the minor leagues, reaching AA. Dale then became one of the best players in the Australian Baseball League, setting several records. After his playing career, he went into scouting and coaching, including being the pitching coach for a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
Athens 2004 Olympics Australian Olympic baseball team.
Background
Dale pitched for Australia in the 1982 Amateur World Series1982 Amateur World Series
The 1982 Amateur World Series was held in South Korea from September 4 to September 14.-Standings:-Awards:The IBAF announced the following awards at the completion of the tournament.-References:*...
(Baseball World Cup). After which, he travelled to the USA and pitched for Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a national public university located on a campus in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1906, it is part of the University System of Georgia and is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia offering 117 academic majors in a comprehensive...
, the first Australian baseball player to win a 4-year scholarship to a USA college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. He was undrafted but signed a contract with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and debuted in 1985 for the GCL Reds, going a very impressive 2-2 with 7 saves and a 0.89 ERA in 15 games for the team. He tied John Tanner for the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
lead in saves and made the GCL All-Star team that year. He was then promoted to the Tampa Tarpons
Tampa Tarpons
The Tampa Tarpons were a minor league baseball team based in Tampa, Florida. They played in the Class A Florida State League from 1957–1988, when they were sold, relocated, and renamed the Sarasota White Sox...
and was 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA.
Phil was with Tampa for all of 1986, going a reasonable 5-4 with 3 saves and a 2.80 ERA. In '87, Dale was 4-4 with 12 saves for the Cedar Rapids Reds, posting a 2.95 ERA. He was released at the end of the 1988 season, when he had a 4-10 and a 4.30 ERA. Dale then moved on to work as a minor league coach in the Reds and Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
chain following the end of his playing career in the USA.
Australian Baseball League
When the Australian Baseball League was founded in 1989-1990, Dale was manager of the Waverley Reds. He not only managed them to the pennant, but he also pitched, recording 9-2 with a 1.44 ERA, leading the league in ERA, wins and was third in strikeouts, just missing a pitching Triple CrownTriple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
. He picked up an even rarer Triple Crown, though, winning honours as Pitcher of the Year, Most Valuable Player on top of Manager of the Year.
Dale fell to 7-3, 3.18 in the 1990-1991 Australian Baseball League, still impressive figures however. Phil went an identical 7-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 1991-1992, being was second to Adrian Meagher in ERA and tied him for wins. In 1992-1993, Dale posted a 3-5, 7 Sv, 2.47 after being moved to the bullpen. He won Manager of the Year honours and was the All-Star relief pitcher.
Dale went 4-5 with five saves and a 2.72 ERA in 1993-1994, and in the 1994-1995 ABL, he returned to rotation, but giving up managing to concentrate on playing, which worked, going 12-2 with 2 saves and ended up winning Pitcher of the Year honours for the second time, then picked up the championship round MVP award as the Reds won their second pennant. He tossed a 4-hitter against the Perth Heat
Perth Heat
The baseball team Perth Heat is a team in the current Australian Baseball League and a foundation member of the now-defunct Australian Baseball League...
to win the championship.
The Melbourne native fell to 4-5 with 3 saves, a 4.46 ERA in 1995-1996, but then moved to the Melbourne Monarchs
Melbourne Monarchs
The Melbourne Monarchs were one of the foundation members of the now defunct Australian Baseball League. The Monarchs had their licence revoked after the 1990–91 championship following a controversial dispute with Australia Baseball League officials....
for the next season. In the 1996-1997 ABL, Dale posted a 9-7, 3.70 record, tying for the most wins in the league. He went 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup
1997 Intercontinental Cup
The 1997 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 2 December 1997 between Borussia Dortmund, winners of the 1996-97 UEFA Champions League, and Cruzeiro, winners of the 1997 Copa Libertadores. The match was played at the neutral venue of the National Stadium in Tokyo in front of 46,953 fans...
for the Australia national baseball team
Australia national baseball team
The Australian national baseball team represents Australia in international baseball tournaments and competitions. They are ranked as the top team in Oceania, and are the Oceanian Champions, having been awarded the title in 2007 when New Zealand withdrew from the Oceania Baseball Championship. They...
, leading the side in ERA.
In the 1997-1998 Australian Baseball League, the now ageing Dale was 8-3 with a 4.03 ERA; in 1091/3 innings, he struck out 95 and walked 19. He led the ABL in complete games (9), wins, innings pitched and strikeouts. Back on the international scene, Dale pitched for Australia in the 1998 Baseball World Cup
1998 Baseball World Cup
The 1998 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy from July 21 to August 2.Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals...
, going 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA. During the 1998-1999 ABL campaign he was less impressive, going 2-4 and a 4.56 ERA for the Monarchs to conclude his professional playing career.
Dale was 65-39 with 18 saves and a 3.19 ERA in a decade in the Australian Baseball League. He completed 58 of 102 starts. Dale was 5th all-time in the ABL in ERA, .10 ahead of big leaguer Pat Ahearne
Pat Ahearne
Patrick Howard Ahearne . is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched part of one season in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers in , and part of the season in the Chinese Professional Baseball League with the Macoto Cobras...
and .28 ahead of another big leaguer, Shayne Bennett
Shayne Bennett
Shayne Anthony Bennett was an Australian rules footballer who played for North Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League , and a right-handed pitcher, who last played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos on 15 August 1999.The younger brother of fellow North...
. He was also first in wins (but also losses), innings pitched.
Post ABL
For the next ten years Dale found himself as a coach for the Australian national team. He held that position in the 2000 Olympics, 2001 Baseball World Cup2001 Baseball World Cup
The XXXIV Baseball World Cup took place in Taiwan from 6 to 18 November 2001. Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals.-First round:Results for Group A:# # # # # # # #...
, 2004 Olympics (silver medalists), 2005 Baseball World Cup
2005 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVI Baseball World Cup took place in the Netherlands cities of Rotterdam, Haarlem, Almere, Amsterdam and Eindhoven September 2–17, 2005. Countries were split into two groups of nine, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals....
, 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
, 2006 Intercontinental Cup, 2007 Baseball World Cup
2007 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVII International Baseball Federation Baseball World Cup was held in the Republic of China from November 6 through November 18, 2007. Four stadiums hosted...
, 2008 Final Olympic Qualification Tournament and 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. Dale is also a scout for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, covering South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in addition to Australia.
Dale was announced as the Melbourne Aces
Melbourne Aces
The Melbourne Aces is a professional baseball team in the Australian Baseball League based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.On Friday, 20 August 2010 it was announced that ex-Australian Baseball player Philip Dale would take up the head coaching role at Melbourne Aces.On Tuesday, 12 October 2010,...
head coach in the new Australian Baseball League
Australian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League was a baseball league, established in 1987 and disbanded in 1999.-Formation:Before the formation of the Australian Baseball League, the Claxton Shield, established in , was Australia's premier baseball tournament...