Opening Day Notes

From time out of mind, Babe Ruth has been the de facto first overall selection in the ATB draft. This year, the Sonoran Black Diamonds bucked the traditionalist view and chose Barry Bonds, 2001 (the 73 HR year) as the #1 pick in the draft. It's been only three games, but Bonds hasn't disappointed.

The Black Diamonds opened on the road, traveling to Rochester for a three game set with the Beau Brummels. In large part due to left fielder, his team took the series 2-1, behind his 3 home runs and 8 RBI. On the season, Bonds is batting .357 and slugging 1.000.

Elsewhere...

• The most exciting opening day contest was the 13 inning affair between Bostons Terrier and Planet 10. Trailing by a run heading into the 8th, the visiting Planet 10 tied the score on a 2-out pinch hit Terry Pendleton single. The score stayed knotted at four apeice for the next four frames. Finally, the bottom of the 13th yielded a run thanks to a lead off Ricky Henderson walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a time Lou Whitaker double. Interestingly, Whitaker entered the game in the 8th, replacing the star Rogers Hornsby for defensive reasons.
• The best pitching performance of Day 1 was a 3-hit shutout of the Traveling All Stars by Garland Braxton. His DC Chips won 6 nothing, behind Braxton's 5 K, 4 BB, 114 pitch performance.
• While it's almost laughable to mention, owners of the All Stars, Fishbiscuits, and Death Speakers are undoubtedly at least a little concerned with their starts. Outscored by 18, 21, and 27 runs respectively, each team is 0-3 and haven't competed in any one contest.