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(NOTE - this article contains a very interesting comment from Matt Bolton, the coach of the Playpen Cubs - he states that "Brett didn't do too much with the bat....." - with a batting average of near 0.700, Brett was swinging the stick very well!!! - as this article was published in the Townsville paper, maybe Matt was just trying to stir up the Townsville players!!!)

Saturday 2nd November 2002


Cubs keen to continue run


They're not quite the bare Cubs, but Cairns premiership-winning baseball coach Matt Bolton says his players are "jumping out of their skin" leading into today's Inter City Club Challenge at Condon.

Facing Townsville premiers Marlins, the Cubs will be keen to continue a remarkable run of performances when they take to Jabiru Park this afternoon.
Having scraped through the Cairns finals with one-run wins in both games, Bolton believes his Cubs will be running on adrenalin for the traditional grudge match.

"It was an unbelievable finals series for us," Bolton said yesterday.
"In all it was 20 innings (5-4 in 11 innings in Game One, 8-7 in nine innings in Game Two) and the second match was decided in the bottom of the ninth.
"I've been in baseball 12 years and never seen anything like that."

With baseball itself riding on a crest after the remarkable World Series between Anaheim and San Francisco, Bolton is using today as his swansong, hoping to bow out of the game on a high.

The last time Cubs visited the Marlins, at April's North Queensland Games, the result was a 6-2 win.

Spearheading their team will be Olympian Brett Roneberg, the centre fielder due to depart next year for the Pittsburgh Pirates after signing a contract to play with their AA league affiliate.
"Brett didn't do too much with the bat when he originally came back, but it is his presence which makes a difference," Bolton said.
"As far as confidence goes, the rest of the team lifted three notches when they knew he was playing.
"We feel a lot stronger and have more fun when he's out there."

Aside from Roneberg, the Cubs also boast Queensland Provincial player Greg Wicks.

For Marlins, preparations have been disrupted by several line-up changes in the final leadup.
Catcher Chris Wood was first named to start, then moved to the bench and then moved back into the starting team again.
Third baseman Ryan Walsh has withdrawn due to personal reasons, leaving Brad Baker to come in to the side.