Sunday, 21st January, 2001
The Internationals today etched their names into the history books, winning the inaugural International Baseball League Australia title over Australia (2 - 1) at Palm Meadows Stadium on the Gold Coast.
A single hit by the Internationals’ Andrew Zapp in the bottom of the ninth inning was enough to send teammate Troy Schadar across home plate to score the winning run with the game being tied since the fifth innings.

With both Schadar and Ryan Langerhans being walked on base, Zapp’s only hit for the game to left field was enough to take the game and the Champions title for 2001.

Although Australia put the first run on the board in the top of the first inning when Gavin Fingleson scored from a Justin Huber double, the game quickly became a pitching dual.

With Darren Fidge starting for the Australians and Brad Guy for the Internationals, neither was willing to give into the bats of the opposition.

Guy was the first starter to be replaced after throwing six innings, giving up six hits, one run, one walk and striking out four before Japan’s Takeoka Kazuhara was given the job on the mound.

Picking up where Guy left off, Kazuhara only gave up one hit while striking out one on his two innings before Korean closer Kim, Min-Ki finished the game.

Australian starter Fidge was the outstanding player for the home nation today as he kept a usually high scoring International team down to just six hits in his eight and one third innings.

Although giving up both runs and three walks, Fidge remained calm on the mound to keep the Internationals in check throughout the game before being replaced in the last dig by Duane Rochford.

The game marked the end of a sensational month for the Internationals who found themselves slumped in last position for the first five weeks of play.

Hitting their straps after Christmas the composite team of players from around the world put on some stellar displays of baseball cumulating in today’s closely fought final.

'Any big game with high intensity and a good level of pitching and hitting is always anticipated to be a close game,' said Internationals Coach, Chris Bando on his teams narrow winning margin.

'I think Darren Fidge pitched a great ball game to keep a usually high scoring team low.'
'Brad Guy did a super job. He has been our most consistent pitcher all year and is a leader for our pitching staff,' added Bando.

With Taiwan going home on Tuesday, the MLB Stars, Internationals and Australians will play a series of friendly games over the following three days before all players return to their respective homes before professional players report for Spring Training in the USA.