Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Three more stories from the world of sports on today’s From Left Field.
1. NBA’s top pick’s Instagram post causes brief panic
Shortly after Philadelphia 76ers selected Markelle Fultz with the first pick in the NBA draft, a post on the guard’s Instagram account was posted promoting Tissot watches. The caption seems innocent now: “Excited to head to Philadelphia and join the @sixers.@Tissot.us is helping me get started with my sixers watch #ThisIsMyTime #NBADraft”
However, that wasn’t the first post and the original showed that it either didn’t really matter where he went, or that he knew he could be getting traded (the Sixers had traded up to the first pick to select him).
"Excited to head to (City) and join the (team name)."—Markelle Fultz pic.twitter.com/eUzTf7fs46 — Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) June 23, 2017
The response was rather comical from the online community.
"An we're excited to draft a (position) from such a fine (university) as you!" — David Deckard (@DaveDeckard) June 23, 2017
> Markelle "Mad Libs" Fultz > > — ItsAGreatTimeOut (@AGreatTimeOut) [June 23, 2017](https://twitter.com/AGreatTimeOut/status/878069097740640256)
> Markelle Fultz taking his talents to the (city) to join (team name) 😂 [pic.twitter.com/AIk1ODBE6t](https://t.co/AIk1ODBE6t) > > — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) [June 23, 2017](https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/878067156541427715)
Hopefully, the transition into the NBA will be smoother on the court than it was on Instagram.
2. NHL uses kittens to announce upcoming schedule
One hockey team seems to have figured out the purrfect formula to releasing any information online. The Florida Panthers enlisted the help of kittens to announce their 2017-2018 season schedule.
Look! KITTENS! Also, look! Our 2017-18 schedule! (sync it to your calendar HERE: https://t.co/BglQslNeGE) pic.twitter.com/hvXLNInI2H — Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 22, 2017
The idea went over well with a good chunk of fans.
Look! KITTENS! Also, look! Our 2017-18 schedule! (sync it to your calendar HERE: https://t.co/BglQslNeGE) pic.twitter.com/hvXLNInI2H — Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 22, 2017
> I appreciate this marketing method > > — Rebecca D. (@rebecca\_decker) [June 22, 2017](https://twitter.com/rebecca_decker/status/877975302923800577)
> I'm a Caps fan and this is just great! > > — CheerKnitHanson (@CheerKnitHanson) [June 22, 2017](https://twitter.com/CheerKnitHanson/status/877976467480743936)
Then came some chirps.
Nothing says ferocious NHL hockey club like kittens — Rick Webb (@Sooites) June 22, 2017
> Don't you mean Junior Panthers? > > — Adam Richman (@AdamPaulRichman) [June 22, 2017](https://twitter.com/AdamPaulRichman/status/877991289228320768)
Overall, many came to the same assessment.
Kittens are the best — Abdullah (@Norristolainen) June 22, 2017
3\. Midnight baseball ====================
In Alaska, there’s a fun baseball tradition for summer solstice: a game that starts at midnight.
Because there’s nearly no period without light for Alaska in late June, it’s a game that can be played in natural light. So on Wednesday, the semi-pro Alaska Goldpanners played the San Diego Waves in a Midnight Sun Game, which is a tradition dating back more than a century.
Here’s the scene from the first inning:
12:02am @RealGoldpanners 112th midnight sun game. #SummerSolstice2017pic.twitter.com/ABWfL5a6wP — Amy Cooper (@amycinak) June 22, 2017
The [full game can be viewed here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKyEHFEjOrc&feature=youtu.be&a), if you’re interested. Spoiler: Alaska lost, 4-2.
