Play Ball

A weekly meta crossword created by members of the forum. Difficulty levels will vary. Hints are usually available starting Wednesday, and solutions are posted on Sunday.
Naptown Kid
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 1:08 pm

#41

Post by Naptown Kid »

Hopefully off the couch. Wishfully in the stands for the first pitch. Let’s go O’s!
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cbarbee002
Posts: 591
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:02 pm
Location: Philly Area

#42

Post by cbarbee002 »

Several more OTC - - now 43 solvers in total. Last update before the "reveal" tomorrow afternoon!

FKelly
NaptownKid
MaineMarg
MamaE
BarbaraK
Marich
eagle1279
Alvibu67
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eagle1279
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon Nov 11, 2019 7:00 pm
Location: Indianapolis

#43

Post by eagle1279 »

Off the couch with much effort! Fun puzzle!
MaineMarge
Posts: 1597
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:57 pm

#44

Post by MaineMarge »

I’ve received permission to bound OTC.
Who, me?? Comfy right where I am, waiting for MGWCC, thank you.
This was great fun!! THANK YOU🙋‍♀️
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cbarbee002
Posts: 591
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:02 pm
Location: Philly Area

#45

Post by cbarbee002 »

Ok, drum roll, uh, well, not really. I think most of you trying to solve actually got through to the end, but I'm guessing that many of you did not see the mechanism which would have enabled you to submit an answer with 100% certainty - - so here goes!

The answers to the four theme clues were: ONBASE, TROTTED, FIELDER, LINEUP. The answer to 37A, TWO OUT, was a hint to take two letters out from each theme answer. Doing so yields BA-TT-ER-UP, or BATTER UP. Nearly 50 solvers got the correct answer. But, other than coming up with a phrase that made sense, how to know that you took out the "right" two letters and submitted the "right" answer?

Taking the four theme answers in order, and removing the two letters used for the solution, leaves letters that, when anagrammed, match other entries on the grid. Therefore, if you were able to anagram each set of remaining letters to match another entry, that provided a 100% confirmation of your answer.

ONSE - - > EONS (58D)
TROED - - > DOTER (73A)
FIELD - - > FILED (5A)
LINE - - > NILE (12D)

While I'm still not that optimistic about the entire season, the Phillies are 2-0, and you know what they say about hope. . . .
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DrTom
Posts: 3765
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:46 pm
Location: Jacksonville, FL

#46

Post by DrTom »

AHA! I puzzled long and hard as to why that phrase, which just seemed to be right, was the right one. Clever way to confirm, though I have to say that I probably would not have done that.

Hey maybe the Phillies should bring Schmidt out of retirement? That was pretty much the last time I was watching Phillies Baseball.
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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ReB
Posts: 667
Joined: Sun Mar 29, 2020 9:34 pm
Location: East Tennessee

#47

Post by ReB »

Nice touch with the anagramming of the leftover letters.

It's a shame that the batter didn't get to swing at a pitch because his teammate on first base didn't succeed at 48A (it being a 37A situation, of course)
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