The idea behind the International Baseball League of Australia was to be a winter league from November to January as a means to help gain off-season competition for players centered in Asia and the United States.
The Western Heelers defeated the Queensland Rams 2 games to 1 in the Championship series held at Palm Meadows.
The 2000–01 season saw the National League and All-Star game canceled with the Development League being held on the Gold Coast at Palm Meadows, The development league was held between 4 teams; IBLA Internationals, IBLA Australia, MLB All-Stars and the Taiwan National Team.
2002 was the final season of the IBLA, The league reverted to the traditional Claxton Shield format and held at a single venue, the Melbourne Ballpark.
It was competed between all the major mainland states of Australia and a new Australian Provincial team.