Frank Gailey knows exactly what will be happening back home in the United States when he steps onto the mound on Thursday night.
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His nephews will be moments away from tearing open Christmas presents and showing them off to the rest of the family.
As much as the Canberra Cavalry pitcher and his wife Christina miss family back home, being with the baseball club "is just like being with a different family".
Because a car crash left Christina Gailey with internal injuries and a broken leg on the Kings Highway en route to the coast little more than two years ago to the day.
What came next means there are few places they would rather be than with their adopted Cavalry family during the holiday season.
That's why a return to the starting pitcher role will mean so much more for Gailey in Canberra's series against Geelong-Korea beginning at the Geelong Baseball Centre.
"The Canberra community and the team itself, you've got the veteran guys like Kenty, Perkins and Kandi, all those guys," Gailey said.
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"Then the community itself, it's a home feel. That's pretty big when you're going to be leaving and having your Christmas out here.
"My wife was in that accident two years ago now, and the way everyone came forth, it really felt like we were a part of the community forever.
"This is always going to be a second home for me. It made it really easy for me to come back, be a part of the family and the baseball club."
Christmas this year was something of a low-key affair, with a chance to soak up the warm weather at ground announcer Matt Percy's place in stark contrast to how things go back home.
The morning of December 25 in the States falls on Boxing Day in Australia, when Gailey is pitching against an unpredictable Geelong-Korea outfit.
It means plenty of responsibility will fall on Gailey's shoulders this week - but that's not a problem.
"It's me just getting back to the game I love and getting around the guys I've been around for the past two years," Gailey said.
"It's good to be back [in the starting role], I'm just looking to do my job, trust my ability and have a good time."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
