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

Game Notes

Wednesday 2nd July 2003 - Game #83

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Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Norwich Navigators - road game at Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium
Playing first base - batting at #4
Had 4 plate appearances - 3 at bats - and a walk
------1) RHP - led off the innings - swing&miss/foul/ball/foul, then tried to check his swing but went too far - strike out!!!
------2) RHP - runner at first base/one down - ball/ball/ball/called, followed by a fly ball into leftfield - out "F7" - and this turned into a "double-up"!!! - the Curve runner at first base took off on the hit, and was between second and third base when the ball was caught and could not get back to first base in time - in the commentators words, "a very bad base-running mistake"
------3) RHP - led off the innings - swing&miss/ball, and then a hit down the rightfield line - stand up double - and scored on another hit
------4) RHP - runners at second and third base/one down - it was the top of the eighth inning with the Navigators leading 3 runs to 2 - so Brett was intentionally walked "to create the force all 'round" - but the Navigators plan really backfired!!! - because the next Curve batter was walked on four straight pitches!!! (and he was taken out of the game by the Navigators Manager!!!) - the tying run scored on the bases loaded walk, and Brett went to second base - and scored on another hit - by the way, at the end of the innings the Curve were leading 5 runs to 3!!! - and they won the game by that score
......and excerpts from the Newspapers and Team web sites
(1) "Back-to-back doubles by Roneberg and Bonifay brought the Curve to within one in the seventh inning against Norwich starter Greg Bruso.
It was the only run allowed by the right-hander in 6 1/3 innings"
(2) "After an intentional walk to Brett Roneberg, Josh Bonifay drew a bases-loaded free pass to bring home the tying run.
With two out, lefty reliever Jack Taschner was brought in to face the left-handed hitting Chris Duffy.
Duffy crossed up the strategy, by bouncing a single into the center to score Castillo and Roneberg with the go-ahead runs"
(3) "With one out, Kevin Nicholson singled and Shawn Garrett walked.
Jose Castillo doubled home one run and, after Brett Roneberg was intentionally walked to load the bases, Josh Bonifay walked on four pitches to tie the game"
(4) "Altoona didn't have a runner reach second base until the top of the seventh inning, when Roneberg doubled to right"

--"It was the best catch I have ever made!!"

Email from Brett
Well, let me say that tonight's game went pretty well again.
Hit a double and crushed a line drive to left.
The very last play of the game when you heard Josh Bonifay catch the ball down the left field line to end the game.
......That was me!!!
It was awesome!!!
I sprinted toward the line, then dived outstretched and caught it.
It felt great.
The bullpen ran over and started tapping my hands before the umpire called it out.
It was the best catch I have ever made!!
And the guy pitching said he is going to take me out to dinner for doing it!!
I went to leftfield from first base on a 'double-switch' in the top of the 8th inning.
Found out that Rob Egan mixed up the players, but he said that he corrected it in the Post Game Show.
Would've been great if you could have heard it actually being me but it was awesome none the less!!!
See ya.
Email from Geoff
Yep, I sure do remember the call!!!
It must have been a "highlight reel" catch because I remember Rob Egan's voice going up and I think he was quite amazed that it was taken!!!
He gave it a great rap!!!
Must have given you a few "tingles up the spine"!!!
Congratulations, you leftfielder, you!!!
I remember Rob saying it was Josh Bonifay, and I thought you must have come out of the game when the 'double-switch' happened and Chan Perry went to first.
I didn't hear it on the Post Game Show.
Sometimes they cut the internet broadcast off soon after the end of the game.
The sound stopped, so I disconnected.
But Rob's call and excitement is in my memory!!!
I heard the double, though.
Going to add the details of this catch to my game report early tomorrow morning - so all the people that get my "Update Email" can read about it!!!
See you - Position number 3 and 7 and 9!!!
Email from Sharon
I wish I had heard the best catch you have ever taken!
See ya
Love
Mum
Email from Tanya
I got excited just reading that email!!
Sounds like it was a great moment for you...congrats.
Dad will just have to remember what was said and change the name.
And it seems like you caused a bit of controversy yesterday with your balk...that is really funny!!
and the only reference I could find to this was from the Norwich Bulletin newspaper
"Altoona's Mike Gonzalez struck out five of the last six batters to end the game.
The last out came on a diving catch by leftfielder "Josh Bonifay" to rob Pat Hallmark of a hit"

Thursday 3rd July 2003 - Game #84
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Norwich Navigators - road game at Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium
Did not play

Friday 4th July 2003 - Game #85
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Erie Sea Wolves - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base - batting at #5
Had 5 plate appearances - 5 at bats
------1) RHP - runners at first and third base/two down - ball, and then a pop-fly down the leftfield line - out "F7"
------2) RHP - runner at first base/one down - called/ball/ball, and grounded the next pitch through the right side - single - stole to second base on a 'double steal' - and scored on a hit
------3) RHP - runner at second base/two down - ball/foul/foul/foul/ball, followed by a pop-fly into short centrefield - out "F8"
------4) RHP - runner at third base/one down - hit the first pitch towards second base - the runner at third broke for home and was out in a run-down play - Brett safe at first base on a 'fielder's choice' and went to second base during the run-down - left stranded at the end of the innings
------5) ?HP - bases empty/one down - ball/swing&miss/swing&miss/ball/ball, and then a ground ball "rolled out" to shortstop - out "6-to-3"
Stolen Bases
Another one!!! - the "Season Record Total" increases!!! - click here

Email from Brett
Well, that was a frustration day for sure!!
Not happy at all how it went,
and I definately lost some at-bats in 'easy counts and with runners on'.
Not very happy right now.
Had been going pretty well,
and I am a "little pissed" at today.
But it is over now,
and I am going to forget it.
Will get them tomorrow.
See ya

Saturday 5th July 2003 - Game #86
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Erie Sea Wolves - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base - batting at #5
Had 4 plate appearances - 4 at bats
------1) RHP - runner at first base/none down - ball/called/ball, then a high fly ball down the leftfield line but the fielder got accross and made the catch - out "F7"
------2) RHP - runner at first base/none down - ball/foul, followed by a ground ball to first base - which resulted in a "3-to-6-to-1" double play!!!
------3) RHP - bases empty/two down - ball, and "ripped the next pitch into the right-centrefield gap" - "well hit but the fielder cut it off" - and in the commentator's words, "Roneberg was held to a long single" - left stranded at the end of the inning
------4) RHP - runner at first base/two down - "chopped" the first pitch towards second base - out "4-to-3"
Fielding
During the first two innings of the game, Brett made a couple of "good scoops" on throws to first base
Heard during the Game
As Brett came in for his first at bat, the commentator mentioned that he saw Brett at the field early today - had set up a tee at home plate and was doing some batting drills/practise by himself

Email from Brett
Frustrating night tonight again.
Two in a row after a good run.
I did manage to get one good hit,
but I am still trying to pull the ball to much - especially the last at bat.
A 'cookie' and I tried to pull it.
I hit off of the tee for a long time today but just didnt take it into the game.
Facing a tough leftie tomorrow so I am not sure if I am going to play or not.
Hope I do.
See ya
Email from Sharon
What does this mean? - A 'cookie' and i tried to pull it.
Email from Geoff
I am pretty sure that it means that - It was a 'big fat' pitch that should still be sailing through the air!!!
???
Email from Brett
That is pretty damn close - well no, that is right!!
Should've!!
Will next time.
Email from Geoff
Having another guess - Maybe it was an outside pitch that should have been whacked to left instead of right.
I dunno!!!
Will wait until Brett replies!!!
Email from Brett
That is right as well!!
I did everything with that pitch that I didn't want to!!
Email from Ed Leipold - one of the "Curve Psycho Fans", a group of season ticket holders
Yeah Geoff,
Was a great '4th' for the Hometeam.
As you said, record crowd, and the Curve were big winners.
But, just got home from BCB, and watched Landon Jacobsen lose another tough one.
Didn't think that unearned run the SeaWolves got in the 1st inning would hold up,
but the kid from Erie pitched a great game, too.
Had the Curve batters buffaloed, with what I call, "junk."
Don't think he threw a pitch over 88mph all night, but he sure hit his spots.

Sunday 6th July 2003
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!! - but no game!!!
Erie Sea Wolves - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Rained out!!!
Sunday night's scheduled contest between the Altoona Curve and Erie SeaWolves at Blair County Ballpark was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, August 29th at 6:05 p.m.

Monday 7th July 2003 - Game #87
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Norwich Navigators - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing rightfield - batting at #5
Had 4 plate appearances - 3 at bats - and a walk
------0) RHP - runner at first base/two down - called/called/foul/ball/foul/ball, and the runner attempted to steal on the next pitch (which was another ball) - he was out at second base for the third out, so Brett leads off the next inning
------1) RHP - led off the innings - foul, and "ripped the next pitch through the left side" - "Roneberg rifles one into to leftfield to lead off the innings" - single - went to second base on a 'come-backer' to the mound - the Curve was able to stay out of a double-play because "Brett was taking off" - left stranded at the end of the innings
------2) RHP - bases empty/one down - a two-hop ground ball towards second base - out "4-to-3"
------3) RHP - runner at first base/none down - foul/ball/foul/swing&miss - strike out!!!
------4) RHP - runner at first base/one down - and the runner was the potential tying run with the Curve trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth!!! - ball and the runner stole to second/ball/ball/called/ball - walk, and on base as the potential winning run!!! - went to second base on a ground out - but the Curve left the bases loaded at the end of the innings!!!
Fielding
(1) During the top of the third innings, a Navigators batter hit a fly to short-rightfield - the commentator said he could clearly see Brett asking for help because he had lost the ball - the second-baseman was able to go back and make the catch - he then mentioned "that will happen from time to time" - anyway, no damage!!!
(2) Top of the ninth inning and the scored tied at one!!! - the Navigators lead off hitter hit a fly ball down the line in rightfield - and according to the commentator, "Brett took a great running catch into the bullpen area"
Photos taken at the game - by Kip and Darlene Lewis
Kip relaxing!!! - and a message from us
Blair County Ballpark under attack!!! - here is what the field looked like during the seventy-five minute rain delay
Darlene with Brett, who is signing his "Diamond Men" poster
Darlene, Brett and Garfield!!! - Darlene is a big fan of "The Cat!!!

Tuesday 8th July 2003 - Game #88
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Norwich Navigators - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Did not play

Wednesday 9th July 2003 - Game #89

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Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Norwich Navigators - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing leftfield - batting at #5
Had 4 plate appearances - 3 at bats - and a walk
------1) RHP - bases empty/one down - called/swing&miss/ball/foul, and then in the commentators words, "Roneberg drives this to deep rightfield, and the fielder is going back and he can't get to it and looks up......and it's off the wall and Brett cruises into second for a double" - left stranded at the end of the innings
------2) RHP - runner at first base/two down - first pitch, and "driven up the middle to centrefield to keep the inning alive" - single - and moved the runner to third base - Brett went to second base on a walk, to third base on an infield hit, and then scored on a dropped fly ball!!! (see below)
------3) RHP - called/ball/ball/ball/ball - walk - and was left stranded again
------4) RHP - runner at first base/none down - ball/called, followed by a ground ball chopper to second base - and out on a "4-to-6-to-3" double play
The bottom of the fourth innings!!!
When Brett came in for his second at bat, the Curve were trailing 3 runs to 0 - his two out hit kept the innings alive, and his walk to second base loaded the bases for the Curve - with the following infield hit, the dropped fly ball, and another single, the Curve went on to score five runs and take a 5 runs to 3 lead!!! (the dropped fly ball was a very difficult chance for the Navigators outfielder, coming off his glove - was ruled a hit, no error)
Fielding
During the top of the fifth innings, the Navigators had a runner at first base - the next batter blooped a single into short leftfield - the runner went to second, and rounded the base - Brett charged in, collected the ball and "fired a strike to the second-baseman who was covering second" - "an alert play by Roneberg, throwing behind the runner and almost getting him"
......and excerpts from the Newspapers and Team web sites
(1) "Brett Roneberg finished with a pair of hits for the Curve, who have won seven of their last 10 games"
(2) "Trailing 3-0 entering the fourth, the Curve seized the lead against Norwich starter Boof Bonser, one of the Giants' top minor league prospects.
After striking out Chan Perry for the second out of the inning, Bonser seemed on his way to completing his fifth straight scoreless frame.
However, six straight batters reached base and five men crossed the plate, chasing the right-hander after just 3 2/3 innings"
(3) "Skrehot's bases clearing double not only gave the Curve its first lead of the game, but it summed up the kind of luck good teams typically encounter throughout the course of a playoff season.
Second baseman Ramon Soler seemed to have an angle on the looping fly ball down the right field line, but as he reached out to make the catch, the ball popped out of his glove and into foul territory giving Brett Roneberg, Chris Heintz and Chris Duffy enough time to race around the bases.
Kevin Nicholson concluded the five-run rally with an RBI single to right, scoring Skrehot to make it a 5-3 game"
Photos taken during the Game
His first at bat - running between first and second base watching his double off the fence in rightfield
Second at bat - at third base with Curve Manager, Dale Sveum
......leading off from third base
......two down, and running on contact
......coming in to score
......safe at home - scored a run ..........A FANTASTIC SHOT!!!
Top of the fifth innings - fielding in leftfield
......and firing the ball to second base - almost got the runner!!!
Ready in leftfield
......and throwing in to the cut-off
The Curve celebrate their win!!!

Email from Geoff
Hi Brett,
9.40am Thursday morning.
Sitting out in the kitchen having a cup'o'coffee as you came up to bat for the first time - oh yeah, and a smoke!!!
You hit the ball!!!
The commentator got excited!!!
Which means I got excited!!! - and stood up!!!
"Roneberg drives this to deep rightfield, and the fielder is going back and he can't get to it and looks up......and it's off the wall and Brett cruises into second for a double"
Boy, he give it a great call.
He thought it was gone!!!
So I did!!!
Must have been close, eh???
But I bet you're happy with the two bagger.
Next time!!!
See you.
Email from Brett
Hi there.
Was pretty close I guess,
but it was definetly good to have a good day.
Don't think I will play tomorrow against the lefty.
We will have to wait and see.
Glad it was a good call to listen to
and hopefully I can get over that 'damn thing' again soon!!
See ya
Email from Sharon
Hi Brett.
Really glad you had a good one!!
See Ya.
Love,
Mummy.
Email from Brett
Thanks.
It felt great to have a good game.
About time, huh!!
Love,
Brett.

Thursday 10th July 2003
Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!! - but no game!!!
Norwich Navigators - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Rained out!!!
Thursday's game between the Altoona Curve and the Norwich Navigators at Blair County Ballpark was canceled due to rain.
Because the game was the final regular season meeting between the two clubs, it will not be rescheduled.
Rain throughout the late afternoon and early evening kept the tarp on the field.
After waiting for a little over an hour and with more rain in the forecast, umpire crew chief Paul Chandler called off the contest

Friday 11th July 2003 - Game #90

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Listening to the game - live on internet radio!!!
Akron Aeros - home game at Blair County Ballpark
Playing first base - batting at #5
Had 5 plate appearances - 4 at bats - and a walk
------1) RHP - runner at third base/two down - called/ball/ball/called/ball, and then a pop fly into shallow centrefield - out "F8"
------2) RHP - runner at third base/two down - jumped on the first pitch and "lined into rightfield for a base hit" - single and 1 x RBI - went to third base on a hit, but was left stranded at the end of the innings
------3) RHP - bases empty/two down - call/ball/ball/ball/ball - walk - went to second base when the next batter was hit by a pitch - left stranded again
------4) RHP - bases empty/one down - called/ball, followed by a ground ball to third base, which was bobbled by the fielder and ruled an error - safe at first, and went to second base on a walk, and to third base on another walk - left stranded once again
------5) RHP - bases empty/one down - called, and lifted the next pitch into leftfield - out "F7"
Heard during the Game
As Brett came in for his first at bat, the commentator mentioned that he has the "Curve's longest active hitting streak at six games" (and he picked up a hit in his second at bat, extending his streak to seven games - there is no mention of this on the Curve web site as yet)
Fielding
Top of the second innings, and an Aeros batter "ripped a pitch" towards first base - and the commentator said that "Roneberg stayed with it, knocked it down, and then 'fired' the ball to the pitcher covering first base" - "a great play by Brett"