Play ball (Blue Rocks edition)

The first inning is complete tonight at the Blue Rocks' home opener at Frawley Stadium. The Rocks fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first, courtesy a two-out, two-run home run by Salem catcher Lou Santangelo.

But in the bottom of the first, the Rocks played some old-fashioned small ball, a rare sight last season. Jacoby Ellsbury, a prospect so hot it's a good bet he won't be here by the second half, led off the bottom of the first with a single to raise his batting average to .400 (I think there was another Red Sox player once who liked to hit .400.)

It didn't take long for Ellsbury for steal second, putting him in place to easily take third when Jeff Corsaletti grounded out to the right side. Little leaguers take note, this is how you play.

After an error, a walk, a hit batter and another walk, Mr. Celery had made Dances No. 1 and 2 on the year. A double play left the game tied 2-2 after one, and the first inning took 26 minutes to play.

Eight more innings and a promising season to go.