New Zealand softball catcher Campbell Makea has played for Dunedin club Ellis Park during the last month.
Makea will have his final hits in the local competition today then next Saturday before heading back to Wellington.
The 20-year-old will complete his third year of physiotherapy study next week, and, following celebrations, will drive to Wellington to play for his home club, Poneke-Kilbirnie.
Softball New Zealand cleared the University of Otago student to make a six-week cameo for Ellis Park in the Dunedin premier competition.
Although Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch were the traditional softball powerhouses, he said the Dunedin league was decent.
"It's good to be down here, to get amongst it," he said.
The consistent hitter has enjoyed his time studying in the city since 2009.
"The Dunedin lifestyle, the whole atmosphere - I've loved every minute of it."
The Leith St resident made the Black Sox last year and has made the squad to play Australia in Canberra next month.
He was recently appointed to the Black Sox senior management team to help bridge the flow of ideas between players and management.
The big money of American baseball was not as attractive as being in the Black Sox, he said.
"I have no interest in Major League baseball," he said.
"I'll do everything in my power to stay in the Black Sox for the next 10 to 15 years."
He hoped to retain form so he would make the Black Sox tour to the United States in June.
The long-term goal was to play in the 2013 world championships, to be held on the North Shore, he said.
He recently appeared in a television show that would be broadcast on Maori TV next month called Fit Test.
During the programme he competed against other athletes from different codes.
The test included six solid minutes of rowing machine, kettle bell, burpies and push-ups.
It was so tough he was ill after it, he said.
