Erik's byline and enigmatic smile always means to get ready for an adventure and this puzzle did not disappoint. His grid-spanning center stacked block was very helpful.
I had a very unusual experience in that the SW corner had a lot of blanks at the end because of so many possibilities and my wrong take on Pacific in the down clue. Once I changed HAN Dynasty to QIN, that gave me QUARRELSOME and the SW cleared up as fast as I could type!
Across:
1. Point guard?: PEN CAP 😀 No basketball here.
7. Rihanna song with the lyrics "That was quite a show / Very entertaining / But it's over now": TAKE A BOW. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Unknown but the lyrics made sense quickly
15. Harlem theater: APOLLO - This theater and NASA's moon project use two "L's'" and skater Apolo Ono only uses one. It reminds me of Ogden Nash's silly poem
16. Upper management?: HAIR CARE 😀
17. Going from A to B, say: LINEAR - In plane geometry the shortest distance between two points is a straight line but not in curved geometry.
18. Far from fresh: OVERUSED - Even Erik could not avoid an OREO reference at 13 Down
19. Wave home: OCEAN 😀 Yeah, we baseball peeps thought of a third base coach signaling a runner to head for home
20. Uber around the Eiffel Tower?: TRES 😀 This finally occurred to me. Uber is German for "very" which is TRES in French.
21. Uncles, in Spanish: TIOS. 22. Save, in a way: DVR - DVR became a verb
23. China's first imperial dynasty: QIN - The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) was the first imperial dynasty of China, establishing a centralized government and uniting the country after the Warring States period. I held on to HAN for a long time but it took over after only 20 years of the QIN Dynasty so...
24. 2, 4, and 24, e.g.: EVENS - I looked for a pattern but these were just random even numbers
26. Negative post?: PRE 😀 Erik! The opposite (negative) of "post" is PRE
27. Many a TV episode title: PUN - Here are some: 1. So Help Me Todd · 2. Better Off Ted · 3. Fawlty Towers · 4. Get Smart · 5. Schitt's Creek · 6. I Dream of Jeannie · 7. Grey's Anatomy · 8. Pawn Stars.
28. The Grand __ Opry: OLE.
29. Foreign exchange issue: LANGUAGE BARRIER - A fellow golf league member works in a packing plant where there are mostly Hispanic workers. He uses a device like this in verbal exchanges.
36. Imposition lead-in: I'M TERRIBLY SORRY.
37. Setting for Haiti: EASTERN TIME ZONE - Haiti has chosen to be on the Eastern Time Zone but its island mate, the Dominican Republic, has chosen to be in the Atlantic Time Zone.
38. Journey part: LEG.
39. Brahma, for one: GOD.
40. Gaming release of 1985: NES.
40 Years Ago
44. "__ Explain Things to Me": Rebecca Solnit essay collection: MEN - She is given credit for coining the phrase "Mansplaining".
45. Paul with an axe: LES - Never mind Paul Bunyan, this axe is slang for a guitar and LES Paul invented the solid body electric guitar.
46. "Neat": COOL and 41. "Neat": SWELL.
47. Relaxation locations: SPAS.
49. Precipitated: LED TO.
51. Public: ON RECORD.
53. Frymaster filler: HOT OIL.
54. Fiction title?: MISNOMER
55. Not busy: AROUND - "Can you help me on Sunday?" "I'll be AROUND."
56. React slightly: BAT AN EYE.
57. Tutor's charge: MENTEE - Every student I taught was said to be a CHARGE of mine or my responsibility
Down:
1. Word for "stick" found in a Bay Area city name: PALO - Of course, PALO Alto means tall stick
2. "Shogun," for one: EPIC DRAMA.
3. Duds: NON EVENTS.
4. "Let's be __": CLEAR.
5. "Reacher" star Ritchson: ALAN.
6. Iberian country, on Olympic scoreboards: POR - Portugal
7. Rose barb: THORN.
8. Dialectical source of "no cap" and "down bad," for short: AAVE ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ African American Vernacular English
9. "Long Division" novelist who wrote "Heavy: An American Memoir": KIESE LAYMON ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
10. Get it wrong: ERR.
11. Angle type: ACUTE.
12. Wide bowl: BASIN - Old hotels always had a BASIN and a chamber pot in the room. Uh, I'm only showing one of those.
Today's puzzle seemed a bit more Friday-ish in difficulty; clues were more suited to an end-of-the-week puzzle and made for a more satisfying solve
I don't know much about today's constructor, other than this similar puzzle that appeared early in 2024, so this might be a debut for Marc. There are scores of puzzles from Rebecca Goldstein ... unlikely that they're related, but who knows?
Today's "theme" is all about baseball. Five entries; a mixture of words and phrases that begin with a baseball reference and are supported by clever clues:
17-across. Tube on an automatic ball launcher?: PITCH PIPE. A pitch pipe is actually the image shown below and is used by choral groups when singing a cappella:
25-across. Batter's decision not to bunt?: SWING VOTE. A swing vote refers to a vote that is regarded as decisive to the outcome of an election because it is not predictable which candidate or party it will be cast for. Or maybe it just refers to this?
34-across. "I got it!" or "Blazing fastball!," for example?: CATCH PHRASE. Great clue! Here is a little whimsy
50-across. Tally entered on a scoreboard?: HIT RECORD. Of all the hit records out there, I chose the one below as my favorite ... listen to as much or as little as you desire as it's the "album" version ...
The video I found, coincidentally, combines the song with (58-across. Instructional video about getting under a tag?:) a SLIDE SHOW, so enjoy both simultaneously
Pitch, swing, catch, hit, and slide. All BASEBALL terms
Well done, Marc - and if this is your debut LAT puzzle, congratulations are in order. Feel free to post here if you stop by
The Grid
Here are the rest of the clues/answers
Across:
1. "Whip It" band: DEVO.
5. Substantial account: SAGA.
9. Mint family herb: BASIL. learning Moe-ment but not surprised by it
14. Photoshop, say: EDIT.
15. __ hygiene: ORAL.
16. "My Brilliant Friend" novelist Ferrante: ELENA. A bit tougher clue than to use the name of one of our Supreme Court justices - good Friday clue
17. [entry]
19. "Sorry, got other plans": I CAN'T. I tried "I PASS" first
20. Ghost __ chance: OF A. Partial phrase - thought these were "no-no's" for 21st Century crossword puzzles
21. Cry of discovery: OHO. I tried AHA first
22. Polar vehicle: SNO-CAT®. This spelling refers to the brand name of vehicles produced by Tucker Industries. The actual "vehicle" is referred to as snowcat - a portmanteau of snow and caterpillar
23. __-Leste: first new sovereign state of the 21st century: TIMOR. More info
25. [entry]
28. Bygone boxy Toyota: SCION.
Debuted in 2003 - discontinued in 2016
29. Art Deco designer: ERTE. aka, Romain de Tirtoff
30. Flagon kin: EWER. A good Friday clue - the word flagon is rarely used, but then again, so is ewer
31. Suffix similar to -ess: ENNE.
32. Crushes, in a way: ACES.
34. [entry]
39. Stock option?: SOUP. You make soup by using stock - here is one of our favorites:
40. Starring role: LEAD.
42. Whack: SWAT.
46. "A Death in the Family" writer James: AGEE. One of many 4-letter proper names that have one consonant and three vowels
48. Container allowances on scales: TARES.
50. [entry]
52. Not suitable: INAPT.
53. Sudden charge: ONRUSH.
54. Racket: DIN.
56. Rock & Roll HoF city: CLE. Here is the list of the 2025 inductees (Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is in CLEveland, OH)
57. Perch: ROOST.
58. [entry]
61. Govt. security: T-NOTE. T-BILL and T-BOND fit, until they didn't
62. Obedience school lesson: HEEL. STAY fit until it didn't
63. "Present!": HERE.
64. Ribald nature spirit of Greek mythology: SATYR. This one certainly fits the description
65. "Relax": EASY. "CHILL" didn't fit
66. "New-to-you," perhaps: USED. Nice clue
Down: 1. Storehouses: DEPOTS.
2. Imposing structure: EDIFICE. The reason the image of my puzzle grid has one black triangle in the corner of the second letter "I" is because I spelled the word edifAce
3. Nutrient in citrus: VITAMIN C.
4. Like 3-Down pills: Abbr.: OTC. Over-The-Counter
5. Former frosh: SOPH.
6. Melodic: ARIOSE.
7. Opening: GAP.
8. Brewpub brew: ALE. IPA fits, too, but I didn't fall for it
9. "The Perks of __ a Wallflower": 2012 teen drama: BEING. Sure, why not
10. Secluded spot: ALCOVE.
11. Dugong, for one: SEA COW. A CSO to my fellow Friday sherpa, Malodorous Manatee
12. Natural: INNATE. Not to be confused with its homophone enate which refers to those relatives traced to the female side of the family
13. More recent: LATTER. LATEST was inserted by me which made the NE corner take longer than it should have to solve
42. Gym bottoms: SHORTS. As opposed to tennis and/or golf bottoms, for women, SKORTS
43. Ryder of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice": WINONA. She was also in "Beetlejuice" (the original - which I liked better than the remake)
44. Fundamentally: AT ROOT.
45. Unlikely to be undependable: TRUSTY.
47. Swirls of water: EDDIES. <=== this is one of the entries that I considered for a Moe-ku
49. Like some tomatoes and prunes: STEWED. <=== this is another
51. Organic compound: ESTER. No "ku" here
55. Aimlessly: IDLY.
58. Pop duo __ & Him: SHE. Is it just me, or did this song sound a bit like the Beach Boys??
59. Thompson of "Back to the Future": LEA. In "Back to the Future", Thompson plays the role of mother to Michael J. Fox's character, Marty McFly ... in real life, Lea is but 10 days older than Michael
Theme: Measure Four Measure. The circled letters in the answers to the starred clues spell various units of measurement. But, as we shall see, there's a bit more to it than that.
17. *Calling the shots: IN CHARGE. This indicates being in control with overall responsibility. An INCH is a unit of linear measure equal to 1/12 foot, or 2.54 cm.
25. *Tear apart: RIP IN TWO. Forcefully break or tear something into two separate pieces. A PINT is a unit of liquid or dry volume equal to half a quart.
49. *In the soup: UP A CREEK. To be in severe difficulty or trouble, especially with no clear means of escape. An ACRE a unit of land area equal to 4,840 square yards, or 1/640 square mile.
61. *Request from a photographer: BIG SMILE. Say "Cheese" or in some other way look happy. A MILE is a unit of distance equal to 1760 yards or 5280 feet.
37. Paltry effort, or a literal description of the answer to each starred clue: HALF MEASURE. An action or policy that is not forceful or decisive enough. Like the Maple Leafs against the Panthers. <sigh>. But how does this relate to the theme fill? I had to stare at if for a while until I realized that each fill is 8 letters, and each unit of measurement is 4. So each MEASURE is HALF of the answer. I'm impressed by the ability to first conceive of this theme, and then find the elements that fit. Very well played!
Hi Gang, JazzBumpa here to give a measured presentation of today's puzzle. Let's dig in.
1. Book after the Gospels: ACTS. Of the Apostles. It is the fifth book of the New Testament; and tells of the founding of the Christian Church and the spread of its message to the Roman Empire.
5. "__ the season ... ": TIS. It is.
8. Lawyer Clarence who inspired a character in "Inherit the Wind": DARROW. Clarence Seward Darrow [1857 - 1938] was an American lawyer who became famous in the 19th century for high-profile representations of trade union causes, and in the 20th century for several criminal matters, including the Leopold and Loeb murder trial, the Scopes "monkey" trial, and the Ossian Sweet defense. "Inherit the Wind" is a parable that fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial as a means to discuss McCarthyism. Written in response to the chilling effect of the McCarthy era investigations on intellectual discourse, the film is critical of creationism.
14. Consider to be: DEEM. To hold something as an opinion or to regard it as a certain way.
15. "That's awful!": UGH. Expression of disgust.
16. Golden Crinkles maker: ORE-IDA. Ore-Ida is a brand of potato-based frozen foods owned by Kraft Heinz's, H.J. Heinz Company Brands LLC. based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ore-Ida's primary production facility is located in Ontario, Oregon, near the Idaho border where the company was originally founded in 1949.
19. __-than-life: LARGER. Attracting special attention because of unusual and flamboyant appearance or behavior.
20. Start of a kids clothing line name: OSH. OshKosh B'gosh is an American children's apparel company founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a subsidiary of Carter's. OshKosh B'gosh has become best known for its children's clothing, especially bibbed overalls.
21. Actress Taylor-Joy of "The Queen's Gambit": ANYA. Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy [ b. 1996] is an award-winning actress born in Miami and raised in London and Buenos Aires. After studying ballet and modeling, she left school at 16 to pursue acting. Her breakthrough role came in 2015 as Thomasin in the horror film "The Witch", which earned her an Empire Award and a Saturn Award nomination. She starred in the fictional Netflix miniseries "The Queen's Gambit" as Beth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy on her rise to the top of the chess world while struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. The series and her performance received widespread critical acclaim.
22. Atty.'s group: ABA. American Bar Association.
23. Former Seattle team, familiarly: SONICS. The Seattle SuperSonics (commonly shortened to Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The SuperSonics competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Division (1967–1970), and later as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific (1970–2004) and Northwest (2004–2008) divisions. After the 2007–08 season ended, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, where it now plays as the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are now facing the Timberwolves in the Weseren Conference Final
30. Roping and riding contests: RODEOS. A sport involving a series of riding and roping contests, showcasing the skills of cowboys and cowgirls [cow persons? bovine folk?] It originated from the working practices of cattle herding and evolved into a popular public performance. Rodeos typically feature events like bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and barrel racing.
32. Bag-checking org.: TSA. TSA stands for the Transportation Security Administration, an agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security responsible for securing the nation's transportation systems, particularly airports.
33. Charged atomic particle: ION. Scientific Term: In chemistry, an ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.
34. Spritelike: ELFISH. Charmingly mischievous or sprightly; impish. Not sure Tolkien would agree.
36. "Uh, I doubt it": UM - NO. A response indicating hesitation and a refusal or disagreement.
40. Potato spots: EYES. Potato "eyes" are actually small sprouts that develop on potatoes when they are stored for too long. These sprouts are not harmful to eat, but they do contain a higher concentration of a natural toxin called solanine, which can cause digestive issues if eaten in large quantities. If the sprouts are small, they can be removed before cooking, and the potato is still safe to eat. If the sprouting is extensive, it's best to discard the potato.
42. Walking back and forth: PACING. Walking at a steady and consistent speed, especially back and forth and as an expression of one's anxiety or annoyance.
43. Mo. of "Madness": MAR. March Madness is a period during the month of March when the annual NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) basketball tournament takes place.
44. Ga. capital: ATL. Atlanta, the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia. It played an important part in both the Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Atlanta History Center chronicles the city's past, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is dedicated to the African-American leader’s life and times.
46. Shoelace tips: AGLETS. A metal or plastic tube fixed tightly around each end of a shoelace. The hole it passes through is an eyelet. The space between the eyebrows is the glabella; the space between the toes is called the interdigital space. Everything has a name.
52. Umpire's cry: HE'S OUT.
54. Reddit tell-all sesh: AMA. Ask Me Anything session.
55. Has: EATS. Frex, for breakfast.
57. SSW's opposite: NNE. North-northeast.
58. Extemporizes: AD LIBS. Speaks without previous preperation.
63. We Are Toonz dance style: NAE NAE. The Nae Nae is a hip-hop dance move that involves placing one arm in the air and swaying from side to side. The Atlanta hip hop group We Are Toonz is credited for inventing the phrase with their hit song "Drop That NaeNae" in 2013.
64. Computing pioneer Lovelace: ADA. Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, [1815 - 1852] also known as Ada Lovelace, was an English mathematician and writer chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation.
65. Working hard: AT IT. Deeply involved in something.
66. Oasis site: DESERT. An oasis is a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found. A desert is defined by its aridity: receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation per year. This lack of rainfall, along with high evaporation rates, results in a dry, barren environment with little plant life.
67. Implore: BEG. Ask someone earnestly or desperately to do something.
68. "The Studio" creator/star Rogen: SETH. Seth Aaron Rogen [ b. 1982] is a Canadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker who has received nominations for three Golden Globes and five Primetime Emmys. He's known for his comedic leading roles in films.
Down:
1. "Sayonara!": ADIOS. Farewell.
2. One who refuses to take an oath?: CENSOR. An official who examines material that is about to be released, such as books, movies, news, and art, and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. I guess refusing to take an oath refers to suppressing obscene language, but that's a stretch.
3. Music genre related to trance: TECHNO. A style of fast, heavy electronic dance music, typically with few or no vocals.
4. Texter's "What a mess": SMH. "Shaking My Head," expressing dismay or disapproval. Reaction to the Maple Leafs loss.
5. Alienates: TURNS OFF. Eliminates interest, desire or approval; perhaps eading to a head shake.
6. "The End of an Era" artist Azalea: IGGY. Amethyst Amelia Kelly [b. 1990], known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, model and businesswoman. Born in Sydney, Australia, Azalea moved to the United States at the age of 16 in order to pursue a career in music
7. Shave wool from, as sheep: SHEAR. Ovine trip to the baa-baa shop.
8. Work out in a pool: DO LAPS. "Laps" refers to one complete trip around a track or course, or from one end of a pool to the other and back again
9. Saudi __: ARABIA. Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about 2,150,000 km2 (830,000 sq mi), making it the fifth-largest country in Asia, the largest in the Middle East, and the 12th-largest in the world
10. Played over: RERAN. As, frex. a show or movie on TV.
11. Semi: RIG. A large commercial truck, typically a tractor-trailer combination, used for hauling freight over long distances. The term "semi" comes from the trailer being partially supported by the tractor unit.
12. Many a poem by Shelley: ODE. A lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.
13. Tolstoy's "__ and Peace": WAR. A literary work published in 1867 by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the work comprises both a fictional narrative and chapters in which Tolstoy discusses history and philosophy.
18. Small power source: AA CELL. A standard size battery widely used in electronic devices. It measures approximately 51 mm in length and 14 mm in diameter. AA cells come in various chemistries like alkaline, lithium, and rechargeable Ni-MH.
24. Notions: IDEAS. Conceptions of or beliefs about something. Or maybe concepts of plans.
26. Home of Cornell: ITHACA. Cornell University is a private Ivy League land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American academic and philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson White in 1865. Ithaca is a city on Cayuga Lake, in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
27. Person of the Year magazine: TIME. Time is an American news magazine based in New York City. It was published weekly for nearly a century. Starting in March 2020, it transitioned to a biweekly publication. It was first published in New York City on March 3, 1923, and for many years it was run by its influential co-founder, Henry Luce.
28. Came out on top: WON. Was successful or victorious in a contest or conflict. Unlike the Maple Leafs, alas.
29. Artist Yoko: ONO. Yoko Ono is a Japanese artist, musician, filmmaker, and peace activist who has been a prominent figure in the art world for almost 60 years. Born in Tokyo in 1933, Ono was classically trained in voice and piano as a child. She became a pioneer of multimedia art and a key figure in the 1960s New York avant-garde scene.
31. Easy-peasy: SIMPLE. Easily accomplished.
35. __ urchin: SEA. A marine invertebrate belonging to the Echinodermata phylum, characterized by spiny, globular bodies. They are found in various ocean depths and habitats, from intertidal zones to deep seas. Sea urchins are omnivorous, feeding on algae and other marine organisms.
36. Yens: URGES. Desires.
37. Mother of Hephaestus: HERA. Hephaestus, in Greek mythology, was the god of fire, blacksmiths, metalworking, and sculpture. He was also the blacksmith of the gods, crafting their weapons and armor. He was known for his skills and was often depicted as a master craftsman with a lame foot. Hera is a central figure in Greek mythology, revered as the goddess of marriage, family, and childbirth, and the queen of the gods. She is also known as the sister and wife of Zeus, the king of the gods. Hera is often depicted as a powerful and jealous figure, fiercely protective of her position and known for punishing those who wronged her, especially Zeus's lovers and illegitimate children. The Greeks created their gods in man's own image.
38. Common element of vaudeville: SIGHT GAG. Anything which conveys its humor visually, often without words being used at all. The gag may involve a physical impossibility or an unexpected occurrence. The humor is caused by alternative interpretations of the goings-on. Visual gags are used in magic, plays, and acting on television or movies. Types.
39. "Wait, what if ... ": UNLESS. Consider another contingency.
40. Flightless Down Under bird: EMU. The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a species of flightless bird endemic to Australia and horrible Liberty Mutual ads, where it is the tallest native bird, dwarfing the absurd Aflac duck. It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the third-tallest living bird after its African ratite relatives, the common ostrich and Somali ostrich.
41. Shrill bark: YAP.
44. Cross pin, in martial arts: ARM BAR. An arm bar hold, or arm lock, is a grappling technique where the elbow joint is forced into hyperextension, potentially causing a tap-out or injury. It's commonly used in sports like Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and wrestling, and can be applied from various positions.
45. Collection that includes cups and saucers: TEA SET. They're fragile. Don't ruin the set.
47. This evening, in adspeak: TONITE. Creative spelling.
48. Bathed in rays: SUNLIT. Not under clouds.
50. "The Cider House Rules" Oscar winner Michael: CAINE. Sir Michael Caine (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite; 14 March 1933) is an English retired actor. Known for his distinct Cockney accent, he has appeared in more than 160 films over a career that spanned eight decades and is considered a British cultural icon. He has received numerous awards including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. As of 2017, the films in which Caine has appeared have grossed over $7.8 billion worldwide.
51. Shish __: KEBAB. Shish kebab or shish kebap is a popular meal of skewered and grilled cubes of meat. It can be found in Mediterranean cuisine. It is traditionally made of lamb, but there are also versions with various kinds of meat, poultry, or fish.
59. Daniel __ Kim of "Lost": DAE. Daniel Dae Kim (b. 1968) is an American actor. He is known for his starring roles in a variety of roles in network television and theater. In 2025, Time magazine listed him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.
