When a Canberra Cavalry player is billeted by ground announcer Matt Percy and his family, the unofficial initiation is usually a big spoonful of Vegemite.
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But once he stopped driving on the wrong side of the road, Cavalry closer Michael Click never thought he'd feel so comfortable on the other side of the world.
The Philadelphia native is used to a white Christmas but is looking forward to a warm festive season with the Cavalry riding high atop the Australian Baseball League ladder.
It is the second year Percy has taken a Cavalry player into his home and Click's teammate Bryan Pounds is billeted by Percy's parents Hugh and Betty, who live just around the corner in Jerrabomberra.
"From the get go when we traded emails a while back you got the sense this family is going to be great and I'm more than happy. This is an incredible place to be across the world," Click said.
"Tom [Percy's 11-year-old son] and I hang out a bit, play video games and shoot hoops.
"Normally back home we'd be blaring Christmas carols all over the house. Our [extended] family has 12 kids under 10 and we go out in the snow and then go to church at night.
"It's different here, but there's not one thing I don't like about Australia."
Aside from fearing for his life when he first got into the passenger seat with Click, self-confessed baseball tragic Percy is happy to do whatever he can to help out the Cavalry.
"I've always loved baseball and working with the Cavalry closely," he said.
"Initially it [billeting players] was just to help out but it's good to have someone else in the house and the guys are a like a big brother to Tom really.
"Any new baseballer who comes into the house, Tom will give them a big spoon of Vegemite.
"Part of the package they tell them before they come out is it's not just about baseball, it's an adventure.
"It's probably ideal they play four days a week here whereas at home they play every day. They take full advantage and it's a working holiday."
Percy's parents hosted five Cavalry players for Christmas lunch – Click, Pounds, Jason Leblebijian, Cord Sandberg and David Harris.
It was a chance for the overseas contingent to relax before the Cavalry begin a four-game series at Adelaide Bite on Boxing Day.
Canberra was dominant early in the campaign before a mid-season slump, but split their last series with second-placed Brisbane to stay a game clear on top of the table.
"We came out real hot and stayed hot for a hot, but thankfully all those wins gave us a buffer when we had a bit of a slip," Click said.
"But we're still on top and the second half of the season you normally see better baseball."
AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE
Canberra Cavalry at Adelaide Bite (Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 7.30pm, Monday 7.30pm, Tuesday 12.30pm)
