1998 Major League Baseball expansion 1998 Major League Baseball expansion The 1998 Major League Baseball expansion resulted in the establishment of Major League Baseball (MLB)'s 29th and 30th teams beginning play for the 1998 season. After initiating an expansion committee in March 1994, 27 groups representing nine cities submitted bids for the proposed expansion teams. After a yearlong process, on March 9, 1995, the league awarded the National League franchise to Phoenix and the American League franchise to Tampa. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (currently the Tampa Bay Rays), would subsequently begin play for the 1998 season. With the successes of
Baseball Victoria Melbourne Winter Baseball League is made up from two leagues. One being the Ringwood District Baseball League and the other, Diamond Valley Baseball League. This is more important for juniors as junior teams only play teams in their own district. Except for under 17s where both districts play each other. At the state winter championships these two districts play against each other Baseball Victoria Baseball Victoria is the governing body of baseball within Victoria. Baseball Victoria is governed by the Australian Baseball Federation. The Victorian Baseball League (VBL) was constituted in 1889 by J.C. Williamson, Harry Rickards, Harry Musgrove, J.S.