HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: A DAY OF RIVALRIES : Argument Follows 3-2 Burroughs Win

Whatever friendliness existed in the Burbank-Burroughs cross-town rivalry came to an abrupt halt Friday evening.

After Burroughs’ 3-2 victory at Foy Park in Burbank, coaches from both teams met at home plate and exchanged heated remarks while their players exchanged handshakes.

Burbank Coach Len Haynes angrily charged that Burroughs took batting practice before the game. The Foothill League forbids teams to take batting practice on game days, according to Haynes.

“I really take this as an insult for you to hit an hour before you get here and then tell me you didn’t know about the rule,” Haynes told Burroughs Coach Paul Haney.

Haney said to Haynes that the players who hit were in a seventh period physical education class. Haney would not comment to the press on Burbank’s accusation after the argument.

But Haynes was in a more talkative mood, saying he will protest the game.

“I’m mad as hell because they hit before the ballgame.” Haynes said. “I resent it because they’re supposed to be my friends and then they say they didn’t know about the rule. It’s been a league rule for 10 years.”

The Indians’ batting practice was the reason they out-hit Burbank for the first five innings, Haynes said.

Burbank (1-4 in league) had only one hit after five innings but almost tied the game in the seventh after scoring two unearned runs in the sixth.

John Buller of Burbank grounded out to open the seventh, but the Bulldogs loaded the bases on singles by Brian Chandler and Jeff Scott and a walk to Mitch Ross.

The game ended when Darren Kruse popped up a bunt on an attempted suicide squeeze play.

Burroughs pitcher Tom Ruffner caught the ball and doubled Chandler off third base for the final out.

Burroughs (2-3 in league, 6-6 overall) scored three runs in the top of the fourth on three hits and two Burbank errors. The Indians loaded the bases in the fifth, but Jeff Smith fouled out to end the threat.

Ruffner went the distance for Burroughs. He struck out eight and improved his record to 5-1. Leif Christofferson (3-2), who allowed only one earned run and seven hits, suffered the loss for Burbank.

Burroughs left fielder Bobby Niers was 2 for 3, drove in a run and scored another. He also had one of the Indians’ five stolen bases.

BURROUGHS--Ruffner, and Hoban.

BURBANK--Christofferson and Vargas.

WP--Ruffner (5-1); LP--Christofferson (3-2).