Melbourne win baseball minor premiership

Melbourne Aces are on track for their first Australian Baseball League title after claiming the minor premiership.

Led by former Major League pitcher Mark Hamburger, the Aces have stepped up this campaign after finishing last in three of the last four seasons.

As minor premiers the Aces will host the three-game championship series between from February 10-12 with the winner to claim the 2016/17 Claxton Shield.

Adelaide Bite, who finished second, and defending champions Brisbane Bandits will meet in the three-game preliminary final to decide who takes on the Aces.

Hamburger, the first pitcher to claim five wins this season, has an incredible ERA (runs conceded per nine innings) of 1.90.

Hamburger also leads the ABL in strikeouts (86), with Perth's Tom Bailey next best at 64.