Day 1 Notes

Here's the solution from yesterday's "Baseball Puzzler," where, in one full inning nine different players reach first base successfully via hit or walk yet only one run scored.

In the top of the first inning, the leadoff (1) hitter singled but was immediately thrown out stealing.  The next two hitters (2-3) walked, putting runners on first and second.  The fourth hitter grounded an infield single (4) into hole but the shortstop, instead of making an ill-advised throw to first base, threw behind the lead baserunner, who had rounded third base looking for the ball to get through, for out number two.  After another walk (5) to load the bases, the third out was recorded and the team somehow failed to score despite putting five runners on base.

In the bottom of the inning with one out, two walks (6-7) and a single (8) loaded the bases with one out.  Another single (9) brought in a run but the runner was held at third, keeping the bases loaded.  The next hitter grounded into a fortuitous double play.  Nine baserunners, six outs, only one run scored.

Unfortunately, there have been many innings similar to this the first two days of the Area Code Games.

The star of the day on Day 2 from Long Beach was PG All-American Hunter Greene (Los Angeles, Calif.).  The top ranked player in the 2017 class showed that he has no intention of relinquishing that spot, although an adjustment may be needed on whether Greene is listed as a primary infielder or pitcher.  Greene has expressed a preference to being an infielder first, as one might expect a 16-year-old who wants to play every day to do, but he just may be too good on the mound to acknowledge that right now.