The Canberra Cavalry are confident star Boss Moanaroa will recover in time to play against the Melbourne Aces this week after a controversial collision left the 25-year-old with concussion.
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Adelaide's LeDarious Clark was ejected from game two of the series against the Cavalry on Friday night after he ran into Moanaroa while the Canberra first base was attempting to field the ball.
Fielders must be given the right of way when they are attempting to collect the ball, but Clark charged straight into an unsuspecting Moanaroa, sparking heated exchanges between the teams.
The Cavalry decided to leave Moanaroa out of the last two games of the series and he will be put through concussion protocols this week to ensure there are no lingering symptoms.
The Cavalry are preparing for a top-of-the-table battle against the Aces in Melbourne in the fourth round of the Australian Baseball League, starting on Friday night.
"Everything at this stage looks great for Boss," said Cavalry manager Michael Collins.
"He was feeling great the following day but we did the right thing and gave him a couple of days off and our trainer will follow up with the proper protocols.
"There's specific protocols we have to adhere to and we'll go through those steps. But by all reports everything was great with Boss [on Sunday]."
The Cavalry won three of their four games against Adelaide to remain undefeated in the capital this season.
The in-form Aces will give Canberra their biggest test of the season and kick-starts a run of three of the next four series on the road.
Moanaroa has been productive in his four games this season, scoring five runs from 10 hits, including one home run.
The Cavalry were left fuming after Clark's hit on Moanaroa, who tumbled backwards but got up in the hope of playing on.
"I was disappointed with the play, accident or not," Collins said.
"At this level we need to be aware of our surroundings as baseball players. Both [Clark and Moanaroa] are big, strong people and Boss wanted to continue playing.
"But when he sat down and calmed down, I think some symptoms came in and we took him out of the game.
"As soon as he felt any symptoms, it was a no-brainer. He was done. We took the precautions. In this day and age with concussion you don't even mess with it."
