Excerpts from Game Reports
(1) For the second straight night, Altoona knocked a Bowie starting pitcher out of the game within the first three innings.
Brian Forystek was the victim Wednesday night, as the left-hander failed to survive a third inning in which the Curve scored four times on a two-run single by J.R. House and a two-run homer by Brett Roneberg.
The blast was Roneberg's eighth of the season.

(2) Brett Roneberg had a two-run homer while John VanBenschoten pitched five strong innings and broke a five-game losing streak as Altoona Curve beat the Bowie Baysox 8-1 Wednesday in the Eastern League.
Altoona scored four runs in the third inning off Brian Forystek, who came in ranked third in the league with a 2.85 ERA.
Forystek gave up Roneberg's homer and a two-run single by J.R. House.

(3) Brett Roneberg homered and Chris Shelton finished with four hits as the Altoona Curve pounded the Bowie Baysox, 8-1.
Roneberg, who is hitting .457 (16-for-35) over his last nine games, slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning to cap a four-run rally and added a single before scoring in the fifth.

A look at Brett's plate appearances
Playing first base - batting at #5
Had 5 plate appearances - 5 at bats
#01 - LHP - led off the innings - ball, and lifted the next pitch into leftfield - out "F7"
#02 - LHP - runner at first base/two down - called/foul/ball/foul/ball, and then, according to the game commentator, "the rightfielder is going back, back, back, and then looks up - this ball is out-a-here and into the neighbour's yard!!!" - HOME RUN and 2 x RBI's!!!
#03 - RHP - led off the innings - and "dumped the first pitch into rightfield for a base hit" - single - and scored on a double by the next Curve batter
#04 - RHP - runner at first base/two down - and lined the first pitch deep to leftfield, but the fielder was able to get to it - out "F7"
#05 - RHP - runner at first base/one down - and then popped up the first pitch on the infield - out "F5"

The Home Run
click on the thumbnail image to view the photo
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Heard during the Game
(1) After Brett flew out to leftfield in his first at bat, the commentator said "that Brett came into the game batting 0.267 and with that out he will see his average drop a bit, but he is 'the hottest hitter' in the lineup at the present time!!!"
(2) Following Brett's single in his third at bat, the commentator said the "Brett continues his hot hitting" and "he is swinging a hot stick lately" - he then mentioned that in his last ten games, Brett has gone 17 hits from 36 at bats for an average of 0.472!!!

The Scoreboard
To honor the families of members of the U.S. Military, the Curve players will wear special camouflage jerseys and 'special effects' were also used on the scoreboard
and here is how Brett looked as he came in to bat
click on the thumbnail image to view the photo

Fielding Notes
(1) Top of the first inning and the first batter of the game hit a ball up the third base line - it was a difficult play for the Curve fielder but he made the play and threw a one-hopper to first base - the commentator said "it was a nice scoop by Roney" and a good defensive play by the Curve
(2) The top of the fifth innings, and a batter hit a ball down the line at first base - Jason Dambach was calling the game, and said "Roney made a back-handed, fine defensive play" - he then went on to say that "Brett is helping out the team with his defensive play as well as his fine offense"
(3) And in the top of the sixth innings, a Baysox batter "ripped a hot shot" down the line at first base - Brett got over "and made a very nice play, knocking it down with his left hand and throwing to the pitcher covering first base" - and Rob Egan, who was commentating the game, said "it looked like it hurt him, but he appears to be okay"

With a young Curve fan!!!
During the National Anthem, youngsters accompany each of the Curve players to their positions on the field - these are great shots!!!
click on the thumbnail image to view the photo
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Email to Brett during the game
9.58am Thursday morning here in Cairns.
Your second at bat, and you have a 2/2 count.
THEN - BANG!!!
Terrific,
and a great call by Rob Egan.
And you know Sharon is on holidays - and heard the lot!!!
Kept saying things about "my baby"!!!

Email from Graham Maher, a friend of Brett's in Cairns
Geoff.
Every time I turn around at work there is another email from you highlighting Brett's latest exploits.
Great to see him knocking the ball out of and around the park as much as he has been lately!!
Keep up the good work Brett!!
Best of luck for the play-offs Curve!!
Cheers.
Marzo.
A note from another friend, Matt Bolton
Good to see ya smacking around the yard Mate!!!!!
All the way "one-seven"
'Snaky'

Email from Lindsey Billotte, a Curve fan who was at the game
Hi Geoff.
Now, for Brett's big news of the day...his homerun!!!
Brett yet again hit the ball very well.
It was great to be able to see him round the bases.
I'm sure he was happy to do so.
Man, has he been hitting very well lately!!!
Looks like Brett played a big part in getting the Curve to the Play Offs.
Well, I'll talk to you later.
Lindsey.
Email from Stephanie Gelletta, another Curve fan who watched the game
Last night was GREAT - especially Brett's homerun!!!
I thought I'd e-mail you to tell you the pictures of Brett and the young girl with him was right before the singing of the National Athem (very cute pics)
Sorry, to hear your bid didn't get Brett's jersey!!
I bet whoever was bidding against you - if they knew it was you - they'd probably let you have it!!
From Ed Leipold, the "Captain" of the Second Deck Psychos" - a group of Curve fans
Hey Geoff.
Another great game last night.
Brett's blast was one of best at BCB this year.
When it left the bat, it looked too high to get out of the yard, but it just kept carrying,
and when I saw the rightfielder turn his back to watch it, I knew it was gone.
One helluva shot!
Ed

FROM THE CURVE WEB SITE
"To honor the families of members of the U.S. Military, the Curve players will wear special camouflage jerseys, which will be available for fans to purchase through a silent auction as part of the club’s annual “Shirt Off Our Back Night".
All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association"
(these jerseys can be seen in the photos of Brett above)

Email from Geoff to the Altoona Curve - putting in a bid!!!
Hi,
and can I participate in the Jersey Auction???
All the way from Australia!!!
If so, can I place a bid for the jersey worn by our son, Brett.
My bid - USD$80.00
Is that reasonable??? - close???
Thanks.
ROB EGAN and JASON DAMBACH
Your game calling is fantastic!!!
Especially the top of the ninth in the game on the 18th.
The three strike outs to Todd Ozias!!!
Regards,
Geoff.
......and a reply from Rob Egan
Geoff,
Brett’s jersey is currently at $100.00.
Would you like to bid higher and if so, what is your limit?
Rob Egan
Altoona Curve
Director of Broadcasting
......and I placed another bid!!!
Hi,
and thanks for the note.
Go as high as USD$150.00,
and can I leave it up to you to put in the bids as they are necessary???
THANK YOU!!!
Well, our bid wasn't anywhere near high enough!!!
Brett's jersey sold for USD$360.00!!! - and that's about $560.00 Australian dollars!!!
Rob Egan, the Curve game announcer, said that it was the second highest bid, with JR House'e jersey bringing the highest bid.
Rob was discussing the auction with co-commentator Jason Dambach, and they said:-
"that Brett's jersey would be 'hot property' at the moment, with him knocking the ball all over the lot!!!"
A note to Brett
You probably know this by now.
My bid of USD$150.00 wasn't anywhere near enough!!!
Sold for $360.00!!!
The seond highest amount of all the jerseys, and Rob Egan said that JR House's raised a bit more.
And that's about $560.00 Australian bucks!!!
Couldn't afford that much!!!
Oh well, maybe next year!!!
Bye.
......and a reply from Brett
Hi.
Sorry your bid wasn't even close!!
The highest was JR House for $500 and mine was next with $360.
So I am glad you didn't buy it!! - that is for sure!!