Canberra Cavalry manager Michael Collins says shortstop Scott Kelly is the type of player who makes everyone around him a better player.
And while the ABL All Star has aspirations to make it into the Major League system, all he really cares about is winning the Claxton Shield.
Canberra Cavalry manager Michael Collins says shortstop Scott Kelly makes everyone around him better.Credit:SMP Images
Last season's Cavalry closer Michael Click recommended Kelly and the 25-year-old hasn't disappointed.
Going into the Cavs' four-game away series against arch-rivals Perth Heat, Kelly averaged .375 with the bat (equal third in the ABL), has stolen six bases and was picked for the World team for last week's ABL All Stars game.
He showed his athletic ability at shortstop in Canberra's home series against Perth, doing an impersonation of Superman when he took a horizontal catch.
Kelly went straight from college to the independent Atlantic League, where he's played the last three seasons with the Somerset Patriots against Click.
Collins takes a largely unchanged line-up to Perth, with infielder Aaron Sayers coming into the roster for the unavailable Jason Sloan.
He was expecting a tough series after the Heat pushed them at Narrabundah Ballpark before the Christmas break.
Collins said Kelly had been a "huge addition" this season, with his defence, hitting and speed around the bases.
"He's the type of player that makes the team better. Regardless of his performance, he's going to be out there giving you everything he's got every single chance he gets and he makes the people around him better," Collins said.
"Just [with] the energy and attitude he brings every day. He just brings a positive attitude and the energy he brings on the field is always upbeat.
"It has to help lift the people around him. You can't help but follow his lead."
Kelly loved being outside for Christmas for the first time and said he'd love to return Down Under next season if the "Cavalry would like him back".
When he first signed with Canberra he said he forgot about the "10,000 miles" travel because he was so excited to play "winter ball".
He said while Somerset was in the independent leagues and not affiliated with Major League Baseball, playing alongside and against players who had been in the Majors or at AA or AAA level had "raised his game".
"I just approach the game trying to help the team win and all I care about really is winning, that's really all my thought process is," Kelly said.
"That's exactly what we're going to try to do here is just try and get a [championship] ring.
"I just try to go out and play hard every day. I'm not going to wow you per se, I just try to be consistent every day.
"I'm just looking for the opportunity, I know if I got the opportunity I would make the most of it."
The Cavalry fly out Thursday 7am for the Heat series, which wraps up with a double header on New Year's Eve.
ABL ROUND SIX
Thursday: Canberra Cavalry v Perth Heat at Perth, 10pm. Game two Friday 10pm, game three Saturday 4pm and game four Saturday 7pm.
Cavalry squad - pitchers: Louis Cohen, Scott Cone, Josh DeGraaf, Sean Guinard, Tim Atherton, Andrew Case, Tyler Herr, AJ Holland, Steve Kent, Zech Lemond, Jackson Lowery; catchers: Robbie Perkins, Mike Reeves, Kyle Perkins; infielders: Scott Kelly, Boss Moanaroa, Aaron Sloan, Aaron Sayers, River Stevens; outfielders: Josh Almonte, DJ Davis, David Kandilas.
David Polkinghorne covers the Canberra Raiders, local rugby league, Canberra Cavalry, racing and cycling, along with every other sport, for The Canberra Times.