how can this happen?

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/ga ... 348867/196
Puig grounds out on a roll of 2-5

I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect it might have something to do with HAL using a defensive strategy option called "guarding the lines".

I was just searching for something authoritative on how that rule impacts the game, but I suspect in has the effect of treating some doubles as outs, and some outs as singles. This explanation fits with the game situation - late in the game. I tried just now to find something on that, but couldn't right away. I'll try some more later today and on the weekend.

If anyone else has something on how the "guarding the lines" rule works in strat, please go ahead and share it here.

Otherwise, I'll get back to you on this as soon as I can.

thank you, the result of a ground out to 3rd makes sense , guarding the line

Puig should crush the ball on a roll of 2-5, I don't understand any situation where he would not

bottom of the ninth, tie game, lead-off hitter ...

you guard the lines, allowing more singles and fewer doubles

note it's a ground ball "double" (the 3B made the play) not a fly

here's a guy with a column on SOM's site named Glenn Guzzo -- he says guarding the lines is in the comnputer game, and describes how it might be adapted to the card game:

"Computer baseball allows guarding the lines to prevent doubles. You are correct that this strategy increases singles. If you improvise for the board game, I don’t think you’d want to eliminate all doubles – most happen on balls hit in the air. But you might eliminate the doubles that start a split chance (e.g. DO** 1-11, SI** 12-20). You might even want to turn some of those doubles into outs – perhaps if the roll is within the double range and is an even number."

I emailed strat and they confirmed to me that this is indeed an example of the "guarding the lines" defensive strategy being used by Hal. It converts a small % of doubles into outs. A slightly higher (but still small) % of outs are turned into singles.

Clowntimeisover described the strategy idea well, so I think that's got it, as an explanation.

In my CD-ROM leagues, I only gaurd the lines with 2 out. I believe it's more important to keep runner(s) off base period

thanks guys, you're the best