The two parties are thrashing out a deal with the Eagles understood to be keen to retain the services of the United States minor leaguer.

Still undecided, the 29-year-old has enjoyed his time down under and, in the event he does not return to the Eagles, he wants to leave the club in the best shape possible.

"Whatever happens I want to leave the club with a sense of hope," he said.

"We'll continue to progress the club in the right direction."

There has not been much to write home about for the Eagles in the Baseball Victoria state league division one.

They are clearly the worst team in the competition, sitting rock bottom of the ladder.

Benson is not used to languishing at the foot of the ladder.

He was part of a successful club side in Canada before making the trek down under.

Frustrated? Yes.

Disheartened? No.

Benson is pleased with the Eagles' improvement since the start of the season.

The young team is remaining competitive in games for longer periods, where in the early rounds they might have surrendered meekly.

Thursday night's 9-3 loss to the Sandringham Royals at the Melbourne Ball Park in Altona is a case in point.

The Eagles led 2-0 after a two-run home run blast from Shaun Moore.

They held on to lead at the back end of the third inning.

However, the Royals out-classed them in the end.

"We were competitive for quite a while," Benson, who has previously linked with the Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins minor league squads, said.

"We can play with anybody for five or six innings.

"It's just a matter of getting the young guys to start playing nine innings.

"It's something they will learn over time.

"It is frustrating but if you compare it from the beginning of the year it's progress and there's improvement been made."

Benson likes what he sees in two players at the start of their careers.

Teenage sensations Chris Dugan and Cameron Browne represent the future of the Eagles nest.

"Those two guys can one day lead the club," Benson said.

"They've impressed me the most.

"That's a good thing because youth is what we're focussing on."

In the Saturday game, the Eagles were thrashed 16-0 by defending champions Waverley Wildcats.