A mother carries such a vast range of emotions when bidding farewell to her college-bound son, even if the new student decides to pursue his education at a nearby state school

But imagine saying goodbye to your innocent 17-year-old whose big plans involve trying to make a career out of a risky profession in a country nowhere near to home
Visiting by car is impossible
Airplane tickets and phone bills may require a second mortgage
And the boy's new job is one of the most insecure in the world

Yet, a hug and a "write soon" is the only thing you can offer, as your son - wide-eyed and full of dreams - jets way to manhood

Sharon Roneberg knows the feeling
Her son, Brett, currently makes his home in rightfield for the Kane County Cougars - plenty of time zones away from his own bedroom in Cairns, Australia

"He was 17 and I was sending him to the other side of the world" Sharon Roneberg said
"If someting would go wrong, if he got sick, who would look after him?
Of course, he never thought about it that way
I was worried, but I never had the choice of saying, 'No, you can't go. You're too young'
That wouldn't have gone down too well"

For the first time since Brett signed with the Florida Marlins organization in 1996, Sharon is watching in the United States
She will see eight more games at Elfstrom Stadium before returning home later in the month

"I haven't seen her since early February" Brett Roneberg said
"It's been good
At nights we go out and grab something to eat or sit around and talk socially and spend time together"

Considering the cost of airline tickets, which soar during peak tourist season here in the summer, Brett's father, Geoff, and Sharon could not afford for both of them to make the trip overseas
Tanya Roneberg, Brett's sister, visited Kane County last year, so it was either Geoff or Sharon this year and it was time to draw straws
"I figured we could wait another year until we could both go" Sharon said with her delightful accent
"Then one day my husband said, 'I've decided to let you go'
I told him there was no way I was going to America without him
He said, 'Yes, you are. Your flight is already booked'"

As it turns out, Sharon couldn't have come at a better time
Brett is one of the hottest Cougar hitters, raising his batting average close to 20 points in the last month or so

Upon arriving last week, Sharon spent two days adapting to the 14-hour time difference between Chicago and Cairns
She is amazed at the suburban sprawl and says that "the houses are like nothing I've ever seen"
Also, what Australians refer to as "fairy floss," we in the U.S. call cotton candy
Sharon realized that at the concession stand Monday night
"And, of course" Sharon said. "You all have accents"

Sharon is staying with Brett's host family - Robin and Diane Renner - during her visit and she has used Brett's e-mail account to report the latest news back to Geoff in Australia
Today she'll write that Brett finished 2-for-4 with a triple, RBI and his second stolen base of the season Monday night in the Cougars' 10-5 win over the Clinton Lumber Kings

"I'm lucky I get the chance to play every day, so when she comes to the park she can see me out there" Brett said
"Hopefully, I'll perform well while she's here"

"But if he doesn't" Sharon said, "he's still giving it a good shot. And he's a good person"
Only a mother could speak such truth