It didn't take the new Canberra Cavalry owners long to lure Steve Kent out of retirement.
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And Cavalry captain Robbie Perkins was excited at the prospect of continuing to catch for his long-time teammate in the upcoming ABL season.
Kent, Perkins, Kyle Perkins and Cam Warner were the new Cavalry owners' first signings since taking over the club earlier this year, with their announcement expected in the coming days.
It's some good news for the Canberra baseball community after the blow of Australia pulling out of the Tokyo Olympic Games qualifying race during the week.
Kent and the two Perkins brothers were part of the Aussie squad due to play in the qualifying tournament in Mexico next week, with Warner in the back-up squad, before the decision was made it wasn't feasible to go.
Robbie Perkins said it was a big blow given baseball was unlikely to be played at the Paris Olympics in 2024 - although it could return at Los Angeles in 2028.
He'd had his COVID-19 vaccinations in readiness for Tokyo qualification.
"Pretty much ready to go. Very late news, disappointing and all that," Perkins said.
"All the reasons for not going were very justified, but it doesn't take away from the disappointment and the frustration about not being able to go and compete, and have a chance of the Olympics.
"All of that's still there, but you've got to look to the next thing and move on I guess."
Perkins said the new Cavalry ownership made it an easy decision to re-sign - especially with manager Keith Ward having already recommitted to the club.
A rift emerged between the players and coaching staff and the previous ownership group, which threatened the Cavalry's season last summer.
The ABL then took away the licence and brought in a new consortium, led by Brendon Major and Illya Mastoris.
That was enough to heal the wounds for the Canberra-born Perkins.
"The change of ownership, a new direction for the club, is a big one," Perkins said.
"It's looking good with everything that's happened.
"I'm a Canberra boy and would want to be a part of this organisation for as long as I'm playing provided they're creating a good environment and it looks like that's the way we're going and I'm more than happy to be a part of it.
"It looks like it's going to be a competitive team - get us back to competing for a championship every year, as well as being a good environment to play in."
Kent announced his retirement at the end of the 2020-21 ABL season, hoping the Tokyo Olympics would be his swansong.
While the Olympics have been dashed, Kent will return to the Narrabundah Ballpark pitching mound after taking his glove back off the hook.
It means the old combination of Kent pitching to catcher Perkins will be reignited later this year.
A foundation Cavalryman, Kent has been one of Canberra's best pitchers over the past decade.
"If he has signed that'll be really, really good to have him back on board," Perkins said.
"He's a senior member of the team and Team Australia, and provides a lot to the team."