Statistics - this table will be updated on a daily basis as soon as official statistics are published

Game Notes

Friday 23rd May 2003 - Game #45
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Binghamton Mets - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Did not start the game,
but came in on a "double switch" in the top of the eighth inning - went to first base and was #9 in the order
Brett had one at bat in the bottom of the ninth inning
------1) RHP - with a 1-1 count, he grounded back to the pitcher - out "1-to-3"

Email from Brett
As you know I pinch-hit tonight and got out.
Hit it good but the pitcher snagged it and I was out.
Email from Ed Leipold - one of the "Curve Psycho Fans", a group of season ticket holders
Something new for Brett tonight.
Coached first base until he got in the game in the 8th inning.
Got my buddy (who has a bigger mouth than me) to holler at Brett when he was in the dugout, but the crowd noise killed that idea.
He almost looked up a couple times, but not long enough for any waving on my part.
But, like I said, we'll connect sooner or later.

Saturday 24th May 2003 - Game #46
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Binghamton Mets - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base - batting at #5
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - runner in scoring position at second base - jumped on the first pitch and "hit it well", but straight at the leftfielder - out "F7"
------2) RHP - bases empty - ball, then a hit into the gap at left-cenrefield but the leftfielder came accross - out "F7"
------3) RHP - bases empty - ball/foul, and lined the next pitch straight at the Mets shortstop - out "F6"
------4) LHP - leading off the bottom of the ninth inning in a tied game!!! - ball/called/call/called, and then a ground ball to second base - out "4-to-3"
Four at bats, but unable to get a hit

Email from Brett
Well last night was s--t!!!
I crushed two balls and hit one more hard - did you hear???
First at bat I lined the first pitch to left - hit it too well and it carried on a line to him - felt like it didn't even get 10 feet high all the way.
Next one I popped out to left - not hard.
Then I smoked a line drive right at the short stop - didn't move one step and I really hit that ball hard.
Then I grounded to second as in my last at bat - hit that ball hard but it two hopped him and he didn't move either!!!
Well, I felt great - did a lot of work again yesterday before the game started and it worked - except for a hit.
Not sure if you listened but it was a great day altogether.
Back in there Sunday I think and I will write after the game.
See ya.

From the Curve web site - "News and Notes" - after Saturday's game
"The Curve won for the fifth time in its last at-bat tonight and counted its second “walk-off” win of the season.
1B/OF Brett Roneberg provided the other dramatic win
with an RBI single in the ninth inning of the Curve’s 6-5 decision over Reading on April 12"

Sunday 25th May 2003 - Game #47

Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Binghamton Mets - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base and leftfield - batting at #5
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - came into bat with two down and runners at first and third base - the count was 1-1 and the broadcast dropped out!!! - missed everything!!! - but then Brett led off the bottom of the second innings, so one of the runners must have been picked off!!! - called/foul/ball/foul/ball, and then hit a grounder to third base - out "5-to-3"
------2) RHP - bases empty - as Brett walked in to bat the broadcasts dropped out again!!! (couldn't believe it!!!) - next I heard was that Brett was on first base - later in the broadcast the commentator said he singled up the middle
------3) RHP - Curve were down 4 runs to nil - the bases were loaded with one down!!! - swing&miss at a curve ball (the commentator said that "he gave that everything, expecting a fast ball from the Mets pitcher") - then Brett ripped a single into centrefield, driving in two runs!!! - went to second base on a throwing error by the Mets centrefielder - came home on a hit, scoring the tying run!!!
------4) RHP - came in to bat with the bases loaded again!!! - this time with two down and the scores tied!!! - ground ball towards second base - out "4-to-3"
Heard during the Game
(1) As Brett came into bat for the first time, the commentator said "Roneberg is really struggling at the moment being just 2 for his last 26, but one of those hits was his second home run of the season"
(2) later in the game the commentator was talking as Brett was batting - mentioned that "Roneberg has great raw power but has been unable to transfer it into the games"
Fielding
(1) The Mets had the bases loaded in the top of the second inning - a ground ball was hit towards first base - Brett fielded cleanly and threw home to get the out - "a good thinking play by Roneberg" according to the commentator
(2) In a "double switch" by the Curve Manager, Brett went to leftfield - in the top of the sixth inning, a Mets batter drove a ball down the leftfield line, and Brett took off after it - made the catch in the corner near the rail - and the commentator said that it "was a nice running catch as they are never easy to take"
Photos taken during the Game ("thank you" to Kip Lewis)
Brett ready in the batters box - taken from way up in the 'cheap seats'
Third at bat - stepping into the box - with the bases loaded and one down!!! - and the Curve trailing 4 runs to nil
----------had swung&missed at the first pitch - this one he connected with!!!
----------heading to first base after ripping a single into centrefield and driving in two runs!!!
----------the next Curve hitter also singled and here is Brett crossing home plate and scoring the tying run
Fourth at bat - bases loaded again and the score was tied at 4 all!!! - in the batters box and ready for the pitch
----------contact, but this time he grounded out to second base
Brett (in the front) and the team after the game - second consecutive win at Blair County Ballpark
......and excerpts from the Newspapers and Team web sites
(1) "Brett Roneberg had two hits, including a two-run single in the sixth inning for Altoona, which has won five of its last six games to improve to 25-22"
(2) "Trailing 4-0 in the sixth, Altoona (25-22) rallied to knot that score.
Brett Roneberg, who entered the game in a 2-for-26 slump, lined a two-run single to cut the Binghamton lead to two.
Two batters later, against reliever Nick Mattioni, Skrehot looped a ball over the head of shortstop Tony Calabrese to knock in the third and fourth runs of the inning.
Roneberg, Shawn Garrett, and Chan Perry each had two hits for Altoona--which pounded out 12 hits"
(3) "Altoona tied the game with a four-run sixth on two-run singles by Brett Roneberg and Skrehot"

Email from Brett
Well, at least my average is going up!!! - today anyway.
As I have said a bunch of times, I feel great!!!
Still do.
I am not starting tomorrow - 90% sure because a lefty is throwing.
Who knows though.
See ya
Email from Ed Leipold - one of the "Curve Psycho Fans", a group of season ticket holders
Great game tonight, Geoff.
Brett started the comeback with his 2 RBI shot up the middle!
Biggest crowd of the season - over 7400.
Later,
Ed

Monday 26th May 2003 - Game #48
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Binghamton Mets - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Did not play
but went to leftfield in the top of the ninth inning - caught the final out of the game

Tuesday 27th May 2003 - Game #49
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Akron Aeros - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base - batting at #6
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - led off the second innings - called/ball, and the next pitch was "rifled into rightfield for a base hit" - to second base on a balk by the Aeros pitcher, and to third base on a groundout - left stranded at the end of the innings
------2) RHP - runner at first base - strike/strike (did not hear these two pitches), and then a ground ball towards first base - Aeros attempted a double play, but Brett was safe at first base on a fielder's-choice - stole to second base "on a pitch up in the zone that the catcher couldn't handle cleanly" - left stranded again
------3) RHP - runner at first base - foul/ball/foul, and then hit a slow roller down the first base line - moved the runner to second but was out "1-to-3"
------4) RHP - runner at first base - swing&miss/called/foul, and hit the next pitch to the third-baseman - out "F5"
Fielding
(1) Heard a "9-to-3-to-5" play - maybe a regulation-type play, but the commentator gave it a great call
(2) And then heard another play where Brett was the cut-off, but this time he slipped and fell when making the throw to third base and it bounced across the diamond - no error, but no out either!!!
(3) An Aeros batter hit a slow roller up the first base line - the commentator said "that this will be a tough play for Roneberg" but the "3-to-1" out was made!!!

Wednesday 28th May 2003 - Game #50
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Akron Aeros - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base - batting at #6
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - bases empty/two down - swung at the first pitch - ground ball to first base - out "PO3"
------2) RHP - bases empty/one down - ball/ball, then "a high fly ball slicing away from the leftfielder but he makes the catch" - out "F7"
------3) RHP - bases empty/two down - called/foul/ball, and hit the next pitch down the first base line - a "slow trickler" down the line which was slightly bobbled by the Aeros first-baseman - the commentator said that "it would have been a close play even if it wasn't bobbled and Roneberg was given the benefit of the doubt" - infield single - left stranded at the end of the inning
------4) RHP - bases empty/two down - swung at the first pitch - ground ball towards second base - out "4-to-3"
Fielding
(1) Top of the third inning, and the Aeros leadoff hitter popped up near first base - Brett chased it down and took "an over-the-shoulder catch - was a nice grab by Roneberg"
(2) Error??? - no, but he may have been lucky!!! - an Aeros hitter drove a ball sharply towards first base - Brett got over to cover it, but the ball went under his glove and into rightfield - there was a runner at first base with none down, and this play resulted in runners at first and third base - the commentator said that even though it was ruled a hit, "Brett would say he should have had that ball"

Thursday 29th May 2003 - Game #51
Started at 12.30am Australian time!!! - tuned in to check the starting lineups - Brett not listed so did not listen
Akron Aeros - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Did not play
Photos taken during the game - as Brett was not playing, he coached at first base
Here he is with baserunner Kevin Nicholson, and they appear to be checking the signals from the Manager at third base
Brett watching the batter in the box - and the first-base umpire is in the background

Email from Brett
Hi all.
Sorry I haven't been able to write the last few days - the computer hasn't being working properly and my laptop doesn't work at home anyway - so I am sorry, but I am here now.
I will definately write more over the next three days on the road.
Things are pretty stagnant at the moment,
but I am off to a new town where I know things will get better.
Wish me luck.
Any advice, Dad?? - like hit the shit out of it or anything??
Mum??
Eating well, that is for sure.
See ya.

Email from Sharon to Geoff
I like that 'thing' you made for Brett - and yes, you are clever!
That is a real nice picture of him.
Love,
Sharon.
Email from Sharon
Hi Brett.
Good to hear from you
The pictures we received today of you were real nice.
I don't think Dad has answered your email yet but I reckon you should hit the crap out of the ball and annoy the hell out of the pitchers!!
Glad you are eating good!!
Good luck tomorrow - hope we can listen.
Love,
Mum.

Friday 30th May 2003 - Game #52

Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Trenton Thunder - road game at Waterfront Park
Playing first base - batting at #7
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - runners at second and third base - foul tip/swing&miss/ball/ball/ball, and then another swing&miss at a change-up pitch - strike out!!!
------2) RHP - bases empty/one down - called/ball/ball, and hit the next pitch towards second base - out "4-to-3"
------3) RHP - bases empty/one down - called/ball, and then lifted the next pitch into the gap at right-centrefield - both the outfielders chased it down but it landed between them (the commentator mentioned that they may have held up thinking the other had the catch - and later in the game he mentioned that it was "a gift for Roneberg as the ball should have been caught") - Brett picked up a double - went to third on a groundout, but was left stranded at the end of the inning
------4) RHP - runner at second base/none down - called/foul/ball/ball/ball, then a groundball up the middle but the shortstop made "a nice play" - out "6-to-3" - advanced the runner to third base
Error!!! - and fielding at first base
(1) Brett was holding a runner at first base and the pitcher attempted a pick-off - the throw was low and got past Brett with the runner advancing to second base - according to the commentator "the scorers felt that Roneberg should have handled that ball"
(2) In addition to this play and error, there was another incident where the Thunder had runners at second and third base with two down - the next hitter drove the ball to the third-baseman who made a diving stop - he managed to make the throw which was bouncing and low and "Roneberg was unable to scoop it" - the batter was given a hit and an RBI, and the Curve third-baseman was given the error allowing the second runner to score
......and excerpts from the Newspapers and Team web sites
(1) "The Curve would not trail until the seventh, taking leads of 3-0, 4-2 and 5-4.
But the game came crashing down around them in the bottom of the seventh.
Andy Cannizaro led off the inning with a single to left field and moved to second base after Altoona first baseman Brett Roneberg dropped a pickoff attempt"

Email from Brett before the game
Hi.
Thanks for the emails.
You are getting pretty creative on this thing, aren't you.
I am playing tonight - and hitting 7th.
Little low
but as long as I am in there I will swing it!
Enjoy the game,
and I will reply after.

From the Curve web site - "News and Notes" - before Saturday's game
"......while 1B/LF Brett Roneberg has struggled to a 0.207 average this month (May)"

Saturday 31st May 2003 - Game #53

Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Trenton Thunder - road game at Waterfront Park
Playing first base - batting at #7
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - bases empty/one down - ball/ball, and then belted the next ball to rightfield - double off the wall - and the commentator said that "Roneberg missed a home run by a few feet"!!! - left stranded at the end of the inning
------2) RHP - runner at first base/two down - liner, but hit straight at the Thunder rightfielder who caught it at belt height - out "F9"
------3) RHP - runner at first base/one down - ball, then a hit towards the third-baseman who threw to second for the out - Brett safe at first base on a "fielders choice" - did not score
------4) RHP - bases empty/one down - called/foul and a swing&miss - strike out!!!
Heard during the Game
As Brett came in for his third at bat, the commentator said that "Roneberg is 1 for 2 tonight with two hard hit balls so far in the game"
Fielding
During the bottom of the seventh innings, the Thunder had runners at first and second base with none down - the next hitter bunted, and the ball was in the air - the commentator said that "the ball wasn't high enough for it to be called an infield-fly, and it was a 'heads-up' play by Brett let the ball fall to create a force at all bases" - Brett fielded and threw to third base, and it finished as a "3-to-5-to-4" double play for the Curve - "a huge play by Roneberg" according to the commentator
"A Big Error" - according to the commentator
The Thunder came into bat in the bottom of the ninth with the scores tied - the first batter doubled, and that was followed by a single leaving runners at first and third base - the Curve intentionally walked the next hitter to load the bases and create the force at home plate - it worked!!! - the next batter hit a gound ball towards Brett and it should have been an easy play to home, with maybe a "double-up" at first base - but Brett dropped the ball, and by the time he recovered and threw to the catcher, the Thunder baserunner at third had slid in to home safely!!! - game over!!! - lots of arguing by the Curve Manager and catcher with the home plate umpire, but the call was made!!!
......and excerpts from the Newspapers and Team web sites
(1) "Kevin Reese scored the winning run from 3rd Base on an error in the bottom of the ninth as Trenton beat Altoona, 4-3, on Saturday night in Eastern League play.
Reese started off the 9th Inning with a pinch-hit double off Curve reliever Neal McDade.
Teuris Olivares followed with a single that moved Reese to 3rd Base.
After an interntional walk, LF Jason Grove hit a ground ball to Altoona 1B Brett Roneberg, who dropped the ball.
His throw to the plate was late as the game-winner scored"
(2) "After Kevin Thompson was intentionally walked, Jason Grove hit a ball that Altoona first baseman Brett Roneberg failed to handle, allowing Reese to score"
(3) "Kevin Reese scored the winning run from third on a bottom-of-the-ninth error to nudge Trenton past Altoona 4-3 in an Eastern League game Saturday night.
Reese got on base with a pinch-hit double off Curve reliever Neal McDade.
Teuris Olivares' single advanced Reese to third.
One batter later, Jason Grove grounded to Altoona first baseman Brett Roneberg, who dropped the ball.
His throw home was too late, allowing Reese to close the game"
(4) "Jason Grove hit a chopper to first baseman Brett Roneberg.
After gloving it, Roneberg dropped the ball, picked it back up, and fired it to the plate too late to get Reese"

Email from Brett
Well, I will say that the base runner was out by a step.
As soon as I bobbled the ball a little bit, the umpire was ready to say "safe" - and did almost before the ball got there.
After our arguing went on for a little while, Dale Sveum said "You do know it was a fucking force play?"
and the umpire said "Oh, shit" because then he realised he messed up!
He messed it up and knows he did.
I never dropped the ball - all I did was bobble it a little and he missed the call big time.
Cost me bad press and the bloody game!
Stupid bloody umpires!
See ya.

From the Curve web site - "News and Notes" - following Saturday's game
"......and 1B/OF Brett Roneberg (.209, 1 HR, 10 RBI) struggled through the last turn of the calendar (month of May)"

Sunday 1st June 2003 - Game #54

Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Trenton Thunder - road game at Waterfront Park
Playing first base - batting at #6
Had 5 plate appearances - 4 at bats - and a walk
------1) RHP - bases empty/one down - called/called/ball, and a swing&miss - strike out!!!
------2) RHP - runners at first and third base/one down - foul/swing&miss, then "laced the next pitch to rightfield" - single and RBI, which was the tying run at that stage of the game - went to second base on a hit - left stranded at the end of the inning
------3) RHP - runner at first base/two down - called/foul tip/ball/called - another strike out!!!
------4) LHP - runner at first base/none down - top of the eighth inning, and the scores were tied - attempted bunt but went foul/squared to bunt, pulled out but was a called strike/ball - and then the runner at first was picked off - with a one ball/two strike count, Brett let the next pitch go but it was a called strike!!! - argued with the umpire, but naturally he didn't change his call!!! - third strike out of the game!!!
------5) RHP - runner at third base/one down - top of the tenth inning, and the scores still tied - intentionally walked to create a force play - on the first pitch to the next hitter, Brett took off for second base and made it for a stolen base - the throw was to second, and the Curve runner at third base headed for home, but slipped over and was caught in a run-down play and was tagged out - Brett went to third on this play - left stranded at the end of the inning
......and excerpts from the Newspapers and Team web sites
(1) "In the Altoona 10th against eventual winner Adam Roller (3-3), Chan Perry led off with a single and took second on a wild pitch.
Pinch runner Shawn Skrehot was sacrificed to third.
After Brett Roneberg was intentionally walked, he took off to steal second.
Catcher David Parrish threw to second and Skrehot broke for the plate, but fell down.
Olivares, who took the throw, ran across the diamond and tagged Skrehot out.
The next batter grounded out to end the threat"