SYDNEY: All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was a little bit stumped at first when it came to cricket, losing his wickets a few times as he swung and missed with the wider, club-like bat.

After a few tips from Australia cricket international Mitchell Starc, though, the Arizona Diamondbacks star connected and sent the leather ball flying across the Sydney Cricket Ground. Then he switched to a baseball bat and showed the locals how he usually hits the ball.

Goldschmidt was on a reconnaissance trip Monday to Sydney's historic cricket venue, where the Diamondbacks will play National League West rival the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game Major League Baseball opener next March.

The SCG will be changed from its regular set up to a baseball configuration for the March 22-23 series.