(click on the above logo to go to the Official Web Site)

---------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------

Competing Countries

---------------------------------------------

Information and News

(01) The World Baseball Classic Championship Trophy - the details and two photos
(02) Tickets - Promotional Adverts - "They'll be there for their countries - Will you be there for yours?" - three photos
(03) World Baseball Classic provisional rosters unveiled - rosters of 60 to be trimmed to 30 for inaugural tourney - Wednesday 18th January 2006
(04) ESPN to televise inaugural World Baseball Classic - Tuesday 31st January 2006
(05) A copy of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) newsletter - week 7/2006/number 407 - mentions the following items - (1) "Australia-Chinese Taipei Series" - (2) "Australia beat Chiba Lotte from Japan" - (3) "One billion television viewers for the Classic"

Newspaper Articles - re Brett

"Roneberg sets sights on US club"
An article, with a photo, from the Cairns Post - Brett is interviewed and speaks about his rehabilitation program to recover from the shoulder operation - he also mentions his baseball program over the next few months, including The Claxton Shield, the Australian Team's preparation for The World Baseball Classic, and then heading to the United States for the 2006 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates - published on Monday 9th January 2006

"Castillo among 16 Pirates invited to Classic"
A list of the Pirates' players who have been selected by their countries to play in the Classic - Brett is included - this article was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper - Thursday 19th January 2006

"Sixteen on World Baseball Classic Rosters"
A list of the Pirates' players who have been selected by their countries to play in the Classic - Brett is included - this article was published in the Beaver County Times/Allegheny Times newspaper - Sunday 22nd January 2006

"Curve alumni take on the World"
Brett played with the Altoona Curve during the 2003 Minor League season - this article lists the Curve players who will be participating in the Baseball Classic - includes a brief biography and a small photo - Saturday 28th January 2006

"Roneberg looks to a clearer future with contact lenses"
An article published in the Cairns Post - Brett had an eye examination and found out he is short-sighted - is getting a set of contact lenses - the article also covers his selection into the Australian Team for the World Baseball Classic - plus mention of his shoulder injury and his upcoming season in 2006 with the Pittsburgh Pirates - Monday 20th February 2006

"Brett's eyes on Pirate's ship"
An article, with a small photo, from the Cairns Post - Brett is interviewed and discusses his aims for Spring Traning and the start of the 2006 Minor League season - along with his prospects with the Pittsburgh Pirates - the article also mentions The World Baseball Classic and Australia's predicted "tough" start to the tournament - Thursday 2nd March 2006

Schedule

---Training Camps

(01) All training venues - with Australia from 3rd to 6th March at Fort Myers Florida - hosted by the Boston Red Sox

---Exhibition Games

(01) List of all the Exhibition Games before the Classic gets underway
(02) Australia to play the Boston Red Sox on Sunday 5th March at Fort Myers - all the details
(03) City of Palms Park, Fort Myers Florida - the venue for the above game - fourteen photos
(04) Aussies ready to pitch big - Friday 3rd March 2006
After the Game
------Complete box score - and the page includes two notes from Brett after the game
------Match report - Red Sox blank Team Australia - Youkilis' two-run shot in third lifts Boston to victory
------and
------Match report - Australia loses 3-0 against Boston Red Sox

---Complete Game Schedule

(01) Schedule for the World Baseball Classic - Australia in "Pool D" - with Italy, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic

Accommodation

Holiday Inn Select Fort Myers - during Training Camp - page includes details plus eight photos and one video
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes - during Round One games - page includes details plus fifteen photos
NOTE - more accommodation details will be added when the Australian Team progress to the next round

The Australian Team

---News Items

(01) Australia looks to build in World Baseball Classic - Athens Silver Medalists try to burnish profile - Friday 25th November 2005
(02) Aussies hope to make name in World Baseball Classic - Athens Silver Medalists set sights on bolstering profile - Monday 5th December 2005
(03) Aussie baseball stars in doubt for event - Tuesday 6th December 2005
(04) Australians ready to prove their talent - Former Major Leaguer Nilsson joins prospects for tournament - Wednesday 18th January 2006
(05) Classic path for Nilsson - Tuesday 24th January 2006
(06) Nilsson gives squad diamond touch - Wednesday 25th January 2006
(07) Aussies prepare for baseball's 'World Cup' - Wednesday 8th February 2006
(08) "Congratulations" from the Australian Baseball Federation - the page also includes details on - Team Travel - Team Hotel Information - Team Schedule - Uniforms and Equipment - Tickets - Monday 20th February 2006
(09) Uniform Policy and Uniform Allocation - a list of the gear and equipment each player will receive
(10) Australia ready for World Baseball Classic Challenge - Wednesday 1st March 2006......Brett mentioned
(11) Australia seeks to gain respect - Saturday 4th March 2006
(12) Long, strange trip for Hughes - Saturday 4th March 2006
(13) Brassington knuckles down - Sunday 5th March 2006......Brett mentioned
(14) Nilsson, Harmon lead Australians - Sunday 5th March 2006 - one photo
(15) Closer using Classic to open eyes - Aussie Moylan hopes event affords him second chance - Tuesday 7th March 2006

---Coaching Staff

Jon Deeble - Australian Head Coach

(01) Australian Coaching staff announced for 2006 World Baseball Classic - Monday 5th December 2005
(02) Baseball staff are 'best ever' - Monday 5th December 2005

---Player Roster

Brett's 2006 World Baseball Classic Home Jersey

(01) Australia's Provisional Roster - 60 Players - Brett included - Wednesday 18th January 2006
(02) Australian Baseball Federation - announcement of the Australian Team - after the Claxton Shield in January 2006
(03) Dozen baseball spots up for grabs - Monday 30th January 2006
(04) 2006 Financial Wealth Baseball Challenge Team Announcement - Tuesday 31st January 2006
(05) Australian National Squad - Brett's Player Profile
(06) ROSTER - "Australia prepares for World Baseball Classic" - this page lists Australia's thirty man roster including Brett, along with comments from Head Coach, Jon Deeble - the page also includes details of Australia's Round One matches - and details the LIVE television coverage of these games!!! - Friday 17th February 2006
(07) ROSTER - "Coach wants baseball credibility" - again this page lists Australia's thirty man roster including Brett, along with comments from Head Coach, Jon Deeble - the page also includes details of Australia's Round One matches - Friday 17th February 2006
(08) ROSTER - "Australia Announces World Baseball Classic Roster" - again this page lists Australia's thirty man roster including Brett, along with comments from Head Coach, Jon Deeble - Friday 17th February 2006 ......also includes "an interesting comment" about Brett!!!
(09) THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM ROSTER - "Here is the low-down on Australia's 30-Man Roster selected to represent us at the 2006 World Baseball Classic"
(10) Josh Hill to join Australia's World Baseball Classic roster - Tuesday 7th March 2006

A look at "Round One - Pool D"

(01) Star power makes 'Pool D' one to watch - Big names, big games fuel spotlight on first round - Wednesday 1st March 2006
(02) 'Pool D' home to a galaxy of stars - Headlined by talent-laden Dominican and Venezuelan squads - Wednesday 1st March 2006
(03) Aussies are the down-underdog - Australia will need a Classic showing to emerge from 'Pool D' - Wednesday 1st March 2006......Brett mentioned

The Venues

---Cracker Jack Stadium

(01) Disney's Wide World of Sports to host World Baseball Classic Games - Cracker Jack Stadium announced as a tournament venue for Round 1 games - Australia to play at this Stadium - article and three photos
NOTE - this is the Stadium in which Australia play their three Round One games - details of other venues will be added when they progress to the next round

---------------------------------------------

Pre-game Articles

(01) Australia's starting pitchers announced - John Stephens, Phil Brassington and Damian Moss - Monday 6th March 2006 - two photos

Australia v Italy

(01) Australia prepares for opener v Italy - Manager confident heading into Tuesday's first-round game - Monday 6th March 2006 - one photo
(02) Italy set to test itself against Australia - Manager Matt Galante eager to see how his squad competes - Monday 6th March 2006
(03) Italy's starting pitcher - Jason Grilli - details and statistics
(04) Stephens "honoured" to be the starting pitcher - Tuesday 7th March 2006 - one photo
After the Game
------Complete box score - and the page includes a note from Brett after the game
------Match report - Aussies in trouble after rout - Loss to Italy hurts chances of moving on in Classic
------and
------Match report - Italy wins lopsided affair over Australia - Game called after seven innings because of mercy rule
------and
------Match report - Australia outclassed in 0-10 mercy-killing by Italy - Italy shows Australia no mercy
------and
------Match report - Australia crushed by Italy in World Baseball Classic
------and
------Match report - Australia Fights Hard but Falls to Italy 10-0 in World Baseball Classic......Brett mentioned

Australia v Venezuela

(01) Australia gets set for tough Venezuela - After opening loss to Italy, Aussies regrouping and refocusing - Wednesday 8th March 2006 - one photo
(02) Venezuela's starting pitcher - Carlos Silva - details and statistics
(03) Venezuela controls own destiny with win - Victory over Aussies would send team to Round 2 - Thursday 9th March 2006
(04) A change in Venezuela's starting pitcher - Kelvim Escobar - details and statistics
(05) Brassington Knuckles Down - Thursday 9th March 2006
After the Game
------Complete box score - not available
------Match report - Despite loss, Australia keeps it close - Offense absent again, but pitching makes statement - three photos
------and
------Match report - Venezuela advances behind one-hitter - Win over Australia clinches berth in Classic's second round
------and
------Match report - Aussies valiant even in Classic defeat - Underdogs nearly shock Venezuela before elimination
------and
------Match report - "Aroos" restore pride in 0-2 loss to 'legit' Venezuela - Australia bows out of World Baseball Classic
------and
------Match report - Australia Comes Close - Can't Quite Beat Venezuela in WBC Matchup - four photos......Brett mentioned

Australia v Dominican Republic

(01) Australia proud of progress it's made - Young team has helped understanding of the game down under - one photo
After the Game
------Complete box score - and the page includes a note from Sharon to Brett after the game
------Match report - Dominicans clinch 'Pool D' title - two photos......Brett mentioned in most of these game reports
------and
------Match report - Aussies play D.R. tough in finale - Australia can hold head high after hard-fought defeat
------and
------Match report - Pena leads Dominican Republic past Australia
------and
------Match report - Unbeaten Dominicans outmuscle Australia
------and
------Match report - Aussies out of World Baseball Classic
------and
------Match report - Dominicans win but - For yet another game, the pitching was not great but was enough to beat Australia 6-4
------and
------Match report - "Aroos" enjoy 4-6 loss to 'low-key' Dominicans - Australia challenges Dominican Republic

---------------------------------------------

(a set of four photos)

(one photo)

(two photos)

(a set of two photos)

(one photo)

(one photo)

---------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------