AUSTRALIA CONFIRMS TEAM FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Wednesday, 22nd November, 2000
Australia has confirmed its roster for the upcoming inaugural International Baseball League that hits off next Wednesday, November 29 on the Gold Coast.
Naming a relatively young squad, the Australian selectors are looking towards the future with new faces in the team. Although many of the new young players to join the Aussie line up have played in the Minor Leagues in the United States, they will be new to the Australian public.
Returning to the Aussie team after the Olympics are Brett Roneberg and Matt Buckley from Queensland and Glenn Williams and outfielder Chris Snelling from New South Wales. The experience gained by all four players will play a vital role in the development of the new look team.
Joining the Olympians will be South Australia’s Luke Prokopec who made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers this year and the Gold Coast’s former Anaheim Angels second baseman Trent Durrington. Coupled with the minor league experience of their team-mates, the Australian team will be a strong competition for their US, Taiwan and International counterparts.
Australian Head Coach, Jon Deeble, is looking forward to taking charge of his new line up as the team starts a rebuilding process after the Olympic Games. With many of the more senior players choosing to retire after the Sydney Games, the Australian selectors have had to identify the future talent of Australian baseball.
“The guys we are taking to the Gold Coast we hope will form the nucleus of our National team over the next few years. I’m looking forward to working with the young guys and seeing what we’ve got,” said Deeble.
All teams are expected to arrive on the Gold Coast over the coming weekend with the first competition game to take place on Saturday, December 2nd when Australia will go up against Taiwan at Palm Meadows Field at 6:30pm.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM TO COMPETE IN THE INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE
PLAYER POSITION
Brett Roneberg - Outfield
Chris Snelling - Outfield
Dane Tomaszewski - Outfield
Jarrod Hodges - Outfield
Paul Weichard - Outfield
Adam Morrissey - Infield
Ben Risinger - Infield
Gavin Fingleson - Infield
Glenn Williams - Infield
Matt Buckley - Infield
Trent Durrington - Infield
Ben Foster - Catcher
Justin Huber - Catcher
Mitchell Evans - Catcher
Andrew Cooke - Pitcher
Phil Brassington - Pitcher
Wayne Lundgren - Pitcher
Duane Rochford - Pitcher
Ben Rowe - Pitcher
Anthony Collis - Pitcher
Travis Blackley - Pitcher
Craig Lewis - Pitcher
Luke Prokopec - Pitcher
Coaching Staff:
Jon Deeble - Field Manager
Phil Dale - Pitching Coach
Greg Jelks - First Base
Tony Harris - Third Base