Kane Oakley talks to Australian Baseballer Brett Roneberg, currently on contract to the Altoona Curve.

What first got you interested in baseball?
I am not really sure what got me interested in baseball apart from the fact that when we moved from Brissy to Cairns we ended up right across the road from the baseball field. One thing led to another, my dad started and then I did.

How did you get your first big break?
My first big break would be being the youngest player ever to play in the old Aussie league called the Australian Baseball League. I played well and got two hits in my first game and I guess it sort of went from there.

What were your stepping stones?
My stepping stones started young, playing for the Cairns teams, North Qld, Qld, then Australia. After I had done all I could here I was offered my first contract to play in the States. That's when the hard work really started and is still going. In the States I started in Rookie ball, went to Low A-ball, then to High-A ball, then to AA, then to AAA, now back in AA hoping to one day get a shot in the Major Leagues.

What position do you play?
I am playing first base a lot now but I can play left and right fields also.

How do your team-mates react when you tell them you're from Cairns (pop. 130,000) compared to some who have probably grown up in places like LA or NYC with populations of 20 million?
Most of them know I am from a small town but the ribbing I get is usually from my accent. The latest favorite line is from the movie 'Days of Thunder', when Nicole Kidman says to Tom Cruise, "Let me out of the car Cole, let me out of the car". They put the accent on strong to make fun but it's a good laugh.

What would be a motivational saying that you have to help inspire you?
Don't ever look back and regret anything, ever! Always know that you gave it your best shot!

Are there many other Aussies over in the US playing baseball?
There are about 75 Aussies over here playing baseball now, most in the lower levels and all hoping to do the same thing I am.

How many years is your contract?
Just a one year deal, my first contract was for seven years.

How hard is it to break into the leagues in the US?
I guess it's hard to get over here for most people. I was happy to get the chance but I guess getting the chance is the easy thing, staying here is the hard part!

Is baseball an Olympic sport?
Yes. In America every team has what is called a 40 man roster, with 25 of the guys in the Major Leagues and 15 in the Minor Leagues. Outside of that list anyone can play in the Olympics but talks are underway about having the Major Leagues play in 2008.

What do you see yourself doing after your career has finished?
I hope that when my career is over I won't have to do much else but I haven't thought that far ahead really. For now I am going to play for as long as I can.

What do the guys earn in the Major League?
The pay jumps dramatically from where I am to the Majors - the Major League base salary is US$300,000 per season.