Blue Sox bring in the Boss to tame Perth - Sydney Morning Herald

AAP

Sydney have brought in the cavalry for their showdown with two-time defending ABL champions the Perth Heat, headlined by their big-hitting first baseman Boss Moanaroa.

Moanaroa is fresh from a career-defining experience playing in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers in Taiwan, where he blasted the first ever home run for New Zealand in international baseball history.

The 21-year-old grew up in Newcastle and played rugby league, rugby union and softball and was once ranked No.6 in the world in his age group in BMX racing before landing a contract with major league outfit the Boston Red Sox at the age of 16.

He has since toiled away in the American minor leagues, enjoying a successful season with the Red Sox Class-A affiliate the Greenville Drive where he drove in five home runs with a batting average of .262.

Sydney manager Jason Pospishil is delighted to have "the Boss" back along with pitching pair Tim Atherton and Caleb Cuevas for the tough four-game home series with the Heat (5-1), who have started the season in devastating form.

"He's been an integral part of our team the last two years and we're really excited to have him back for such an important series," Pospishil told AAP.

"He'll be a big presence in the middle fo the batting order for us and by the looks of things he swung the bat pretty well in Taiwan.

"He's known for his power. He'll split some time between first base and designated hitter.

"He's got a power bat. He'll drive in some big runs for us.

"He's also got leadership qualities too which is really excited.

"Generally if he plays well, the team responds and plays well also."

But even a series win over the all-conquering Heat wouldn't be the most exciting accomplishment for the former cheeky halfback this month.

That would be his long bomb against Thailand, the first by a Team New Zealand batter in history.

"It wasn't the longest home run, but in terms of the moment it's certainly the biggest I've ever hit in my career," Moanaroa said.

Moanaroa said he hoped New Zealand's performance in the tournament, where they won two of four games, would help grow the sport - and predicted more Maori involvement within the next three years.

And like Ross Taylor, the New Zealand captain of Samoan heritage, has done to influence young polynesian athletes to pick up cricket bats, Moanaroa hopes to see more Maori baseballers in the near future.