Here are a few excerpts
from the game reports, including the Altoona Curve web site
(1) "The Curve scored the only run it would need in the second
inning without a hit.
Norwich starter Kevin Correia issued a one-out walk to Brett Roneberg.
Roneberg stole second, went to third on a ground out, and scored
on a balk by Correia"
(2) "Altoona's final run came in the ninth
inning against reliever Jack Taschner.
Singles by Roneberg and Duffy set the table.
Paulino flied out to deep center, Roneberg and Duffy both
tagged up and tried to advance.
Roneberg made third, but Duffy got caught in a run-down between first
and second.
Roneberg broke for the
plate and scored when catcher Chris Curry mishandled a throw to
the plate from second baseman Ramon Soler"
(3) "The Altoona Curve shutout the Norwich
Navigators 5-0.
Kevin Correia balked
home what proved to be the winning run in Brett Roneberg in the
2nd inning"
(4) "Offensively, 1B Brett Roneberg scored a manufactured
run in the second inning.
After receiving a one-out walk from Norwich RHP Kevin Correia,
Roneberg stole second, moved to third on a ground out, and drew
a balk from Correia to score the run"
Gators Balk, Then Blanked
Controversial Call Sparks Altoona As Norwich Bats Fall Silent
Brett Roneberg's powers
of persuasion worked wonders on third base umpire Darren Hyman
on Tuesday - and gave the Norwich Navigators fits.
Roneberg scored in the second inning on a delayed balk call, the only run the Altoona Curve would need - although
they scored four times the last three innings - to beat the Navigators,
5-0, at Dodd Stadium.
Roneberg reached third
base without the benefit of a hit.
He walked, stole second and advanced on a one-out groundout.
Then, with Norwich starter Kevin Correia facing a 2-2 count against
Chris Duffy, Roneberg ran several steps down the third-base line
faking a steal of home.
One of the infielders alerted Correia, who calmly stepped off
the rubber and fired over to third.
As Roneberg retreated back to third, he yelled to Hyman: That's
a balk.
And Hyman agreed, awarding him home.
Norwich manager Shane Turner ran out to argue the call as a bewildered
Correia stood on the mound, repeating his step off in a futile
effort to demonstrate he didn't balk.
After the game, Turner was just as adamant that Hyman made a mistake.
I just looked at the tape, said Turner. It wasn't
a balk. (Hyman) tried to tell me he buckled his knee.
He didn't. He stepped off the mound just like he was supposed
to.
I don't think (Hyman) saw anything.
I think when the runner
came back yelling balk, I think he got thinking that something
was funny.
The play was not a pre-planned move by the Curve to catch Correia
off guard.
Altoona manager Dale Sveum thought Roneberg was actually going
to steal home.
He sold me on it, said Sveum. That was just
a player doing something on his own and it worked.
It was more painful because Correia got Duffy to chase a high
fastball for the inning-ending strikeout.
The run wound up being crucial because of the way Correia pitched
and the way the Navigators didn't hit.
Navs shut out by Curve
The Navigators lost 5-0 to the Curve Tuesday afternoon, with three
of those runs coming in controversial fashion.
The offensive letdown may have fueled a defensive breakdown in
the ninth inning that led to what turned out to be an insignificant
run.
With one out and runners on first and second, Altoona's Ronny
Paulino flied out to center, deep enough for both runners to tag
up.
Brett Roneberg was safe
without a throw at third, but Chris
Duffy got himself caught in a rundown between first and second.
As second baseman Ramon
Soler chased Duffy back to first, Roneberg broke for home.
Soler's throw to the plate was unnecessarily rushed but catcher
Chris Curry couldn't hang on to it anyway, allowing Roneberg to
score.
It was indeed that kind of day defensively for the Navigators.
The Curve took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Roneberg walked,
stole second, went to third on a groundout and scored on a controversial
balk call against Kevin Correia by third base umpire Darren Hyman.
"He said I flinched before I stepped off," Correia said.
"I didn't. All I did was step off."
Turner concurred with his pitcher.
"(Hyman) didn't call it," he said. "(Roneberg) called it.
He turned and looked at the umpire and then he called a balk.
He said Kevin buckled his knee.
Unless he buckled his knee in a distinct motion, it's not a balk.
I don't know why he didn't ask for help.
I think they should ask for help anytime.
At least that way you have three chances of getting it right."
Email from Geoff - who
was listening
Hi,
Just writing to say I heard all your baserunning.
Stolen base, plus during the run-down play, AND "peeing off
the pitcher" and making him balk!!!
See you.
Email from Sharon - who
wants everybody to be 'nice'!!!
Hey Brett.
Putting the pitcher off is not very sporting!!
I love it when you steal bases though - even the commentators
reckon you have decent speed!!
I always thought you could run!!
See ya.
Love,
Mum.
......from Brett
Hi Mum.
Glad to hear that you like hearing me running all the time.
I like doing it, I must admit.
Just don't like getting thrown out though!!!
Love,
Brett.
......from Sharon
All that controvesy - and the poor guy didn't do anything wrong!!
I still don't think it's "cricket"!!
See ya.
Love,
Mum.
Email from Tanya - quoting
from the movie, "The Rookie"
Hey,
were you calling out from the base - "We wanna pitcher, not
a belly itcher!"
Is that how you put him off?
Tanya
A note from Larry Gallagher,
Brett's ex-High School Principal
and an Umpire in the Cairns Baseball League, having officiated
in many of Brett's games over the years
Geoff
You know I don't normally reply to your emails (even though I
read them regularly).
However, I just had to in this case because I was ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED
to find that Brett would do something to deliberately try to confuse
an umpire.
Did you not teach that boy anything??
Good story, but glad it wasn't me on third base line!
Larry
......and a reply
to Larry
Hi Larry - and that's a great note!!!
I think a fitting punishment would be for Brett to clean the Umpire
Crew's shoes for a week!!!
I listen to his game coming through live everyday.
And there is regular controversy!!!
Both on the bases and the balls/strikes calls.
Arguements and Ejections!!!
It's funny though.
Not once have I heard an umpire say I will change my call because
the runner said he was safe!!!
Or that wasn't a strike out because the batter said it was a ball!!!
Fun to listen to, and the Curve have a great radio announcer who
puts a "lot of feeling" into his game commentary.
All the best - nice to hear from you.
Geoff - "Ex-Umpire"