Cory Acton is eager to return to the Canberra Cavalry. Photo: David Tate and Paul Furness.
Despite missing the Australian Baseball League playoffs this season, there have been a number of highlights for the Canberra Cavalry.
The most obvious is in the form of American import Cory Acton, who is among the leaders in the ABL in key batting stats this season.
His journey to Canberra provides an insight into his personality, which is reflected in his playing style.
After Cavalry manager Keith Ward contacted him to gauge his interest in playing in Canberra, Cory paid his own way in anticipation of a new experience.
“I always wanted to come to Australia to play in the ABL and the Cavalry provided me with that opportunity,” says Cory.
There’s every chance Cory Acton will be back in Canberra next season. Photo: David Tate and Paul Furness.
At 24 years of age, Cory came out of the Atlanta Brave system with a skill set that has proved invaluable to the Cavalry this season.
With his incredible skills as a batter on full display, he has become a crowd favourite at the MIT Ball Park, creating a sense of anticipation that only the leading players can generate.
And Cory has not looked back since joining the Cavalry.
“It’s been awesome. I’ve loved playing in this team,” he says.
“We are all good mates. The competition is elite, the crowd has been great, and I’ve had a great time. Everybody has been so welcoming.”
And the positives for Cory extend beyond the playing field.
“I live in a group house at Narrabundah with seven other imports, most of whom I had never met before. It’s been an awesome experience. I’ve made some great friends.”
In many respects, the season hasn’t turned out the way the Cavalry had been hoping with a number of close losses ending their playoff chances.
Says Cory, “I don’t believe the record reflects the talent within this team. We were, at times, one hit away from winning. If we had won some of those close games, the season could have been so much different.”
Once the final regular season game against the Melbourne Aces is out of the way, the next stage in Cory’s grand baseball adventure continues in Hamburg. And there’s every chance he will be back in Canberra next season.
Cory Acton batting in the Cavalry versus Melbourne game in November 2023. Photo: David Tate and Paul Furness.
“I’ve already had a chat with Keith about returning. He said he’s keen for me to return. I’m 100 per cent keen to return if the club wants me.”
And the Cavalry should be keen to get him to sign on before he heads to Germany.
The only proviso would be a call-up to the American Major Leagues, and his success this season in the ABL would enhance that possibility.
“I know that a lot of major league scouts look at the ABL, but I’m not too stressed about it. If the opportunity comes, I’ll definitely take it.”
In the meantime, Canberra fans will long remember his performance for the Cavalry this season, coupled with optimism that we will see him go around for the club next season.
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