Second Place

Gregory's Little League team was in a win-or-go-home playoff game that ended only as a Minor B game could.  Down 6-0 going into the last inning, Gregory's team scored five runs--one by Gregory himself--to make things really close.  With two outs and a runner on third, the next batter hit a comebacker to the pitcher.  The pitcher went toward home but the runner on third held, so then the pitcher threw to first.  The batter beat the throw to first, but he had started toward second and found himself 8 feet off of first base and the first baseman holding the ball.  But the first baseman dove at him and he evaded the tag and then got back to the base safely.  As this was going on, the runner on third had thoughts of scoring and had gone a third of the way home, but he retreated to third as the throw went there.  At which point the runner on first advanced to second.  I could see everyone was safe, the tying and go-ahead runs were in scoring position, and I was getting ready for the next batter when our coaches started arguing with the umpire and the other team was confusedly walking off the field.

Do you know the rules of baseball?  Well, then, answer this.  How can a runner be called out while standing by himself on the base?  Answer given below.

Gregory had a great game on the mound.  He was brought in with one out and bases loaded in the third inning.  He struck out the first batter he faced for the second out, and then induced an easily playable ground ball to short.  But in Minor B, "easily playable" means nothing.  The shortstop knocked the ball down, picked it up and still had time to make the out at second.  But the second baseman dropped the ball and two runs scored. Even though these were the deciding runs in the game, I am still happy it happened, because Gregory went on to strike out the next batter.  And then he went on to strike out the side in the next inning.  And the same in the next inning.  8 outs, 8 Ks.  If your season has to end . . .

So how was the last out made?  The head coach of Gregory's team was afraid that the runner on third might try to break for home again, so he told him to stay on the base.  And, probably without thinking, he put his hand on the kid's shoulder to make it clear.  Did you know that if a coach touches a baserunner, that runner is out?  Now you do.  Didn't think they would make that call in a Little League division for 7 & 8 year olds?  Think again; this is Santa Paula.  Poor Alex: nice guy and a good coach.  But he had to explain to his kids why their season ended right as it seemed they might be making the comeback of a life time.  Little League can teach you a lot of life lessons.