Boys Keep Swinging (2016 Boys of Summer Season)

SEASON OPENER - WEEK 1

The Boys of Summer APBA Baseball League is underway, starting our 4th season! Plenty of excitement for this upcoming year, with an influx of rookies (due to MLB's "Year of the Rookie" - 2015). The rosters have completely took a overhaul with so many transactions, signings & releases this off-season! Every team has a reason to be optimistic and excited for this 2016 BoS Season -- plus two big questions are: 'Can the Portland Microbrewers repeat?'... and 'Are the Chicago Nine, truly the team to beat in 2016?'

We'll find all that out by the end of the season.

The first week was a big one for the Fairgrove Tigers, who opened up a 6-0 series victory over a talented South Side Spartans team -- with Chris Davis batting .368 with 3 home runs & 4 RBI, plus 2 doubles & 4 runs; Their ace Madison Bumgarner also had a good week in his two starts, 16 K's & only 2 earned runs allowed in 16 innings -- including a shutout.

On the National League side, the other undefeated team from Week 1 was the Louisville Sluggers, with the return of manager Larry Waddell, back at the helm; His rotation was excellent against the Seattle Rainiers -- led by Sonny Gray (2-0, 0.52 ERA, 16 K & 4 BB in 17.1 innings)!

There was plenty of shutouts this first week and there was plenty of contenders for this week's pitching awards in both leagues, but in the end it came down to these two...

• Zack Greinke (Swatara Eliminators/A.L.): W, 15 K's, no earned runs (including a shutout & no-decision) with only 5 hits allowed -- in 15.2 innings.
• Lance Lynn (Holland Hitchhikers/N.L.): 2-0, 0.53 ERA (1 ER, 8 H & 5 BB's allowed) with 15 strikeouts for Holland -- just edging Louisville's Gray for this week.

There was plenty of offense as well -- but none was as impressive as these two...

• Bryce Harper (Holland Hitchhikers/N.L.): .435 AVG (10-23), 4 HR, 12 RBI & 1.635 OPS.
• Chris Davis (Fairgrove Tigers/A.L.): .368 AVG (7-19), 3 HR, 4 RBI & 1.426 OPS.

Most disappointing start may have to go to the #1 Overall Draft Pick (in this year's 2016 BoS Draft) - Kris Bryant (Third Baseman of the Micatin Destroyers) -- in which he went 0-for-21, striking out 10 times!