Tuesday 11th December 2007

The fact that the Queensland Rams will once again include a solid proportion of professional players has meant that assembling the team for the new format Claxton Shield has been a slow and steady job

While many of the younger pros have been back in Oz since early September, several key players had commitments that have seen them only recently return to fold

Tristan Crawford was one of two Queenslanders who did us proud at the recent World Cup in Taiwan
Coming at the end of the long pro season, the Cup drew on the inner reserves of each of the highly motivated Aussie team
Many of the players have chosen to sit the Australian summer out, but not Tristan
Despite a tough USA 'AA' season, Tristan is keen to stay sharp and do what he can to help the Rams
The dynamic righty spent seven years with the Twins and was recently acquired by the Washington Nationals
An outstanding athlete whose commitment to his craft is an example to younger players everywhere
Tristan’s input will be valuable in more ways than one

Brett Roneberg, the other Queensland member of the over-performing national team, was raised and still resides in Cairns when not battling through another season in the upper levels of the Minor Leagues
“Berger” is a very versatile player and a genuine professional hitter whose pro season this year was greatly handicapped by a wrist injury received in last year’s Shield
After preparing himself in Cairns with the able assistance of Ritchie Mounsey, he will commute for the first series against Australian Provincial, and then remain in Brisbane when he returns for the next three series
Like any of the experienced professionals, Brett can be relied upon to have himself ready when the bell goes

The current training squad for the Rams is:-