It’s 12U championship Saturday & the Pandora algorithm just dialed up Phil Collins ‘In the air tonight’
Those of you who were around last year remember my rookie season as a coach and how the 10U boys put together a tournament run only to get no-hit in the championship game. Very few days go by without me thinking about that night. I haven’t forgotten that feeling of dread from the boys as their season came to a screeching halt.
Last night, as I was succin’ down a couple of beers on the patio, I was talking to Mrs. Screencaps about how I don’t want this year’s team to feel that pain. I’m going to have nine boys for this 11:30 a.m. ET first pitch. No subs. It’s going to be hot. The catchers will be put to the test. The offense will face at least two kids who throw heat just like last year’s championship.
My assistant Scott G., who has been such a valuable asset, is in North Carolina for vacation.
Today is going to be a massive test. I’d be lying if I said there aren’t some butterflies with the league bringing out the hardware to present to the championship Saturday winners.
It’s time to slay some demons.
A couple of things I don’t like to recommend because it sets off people and I would rather just lay low
- My favorite Mexican restaurants. About 14 years ago, Mrs. Screencaps and I happened upon a start-up Mexican joint that was holed up in an old Wendy’s. It was a husband and wife. We were the only customers on Saturday nights for months. Around that same time all those years ago, Mrs. Screencaps and I were at a suburban patio party & the subject of favorite Mexican places came up. We offered up our Mexican joint in the rundown old Wendy’s & it was an instant lecture about how horrible the place is. Fast-forward to 2024. The same guy who started that shithole Mexican joint in a Wendy’s now has four locations and is considered the best Mexican restaurant owner in Toledo. I just stay quiet about our favorite Mexican places. Don’t ask.
- Pillows. Last week, someone emailed me to ask about the Purple Pillow that I bought like two years ago. I’ve said that the pillow has been a great purchase ($179; #notsponsored). Then Mike T. in Idaho goes out and buys the Purple Pillow and he’s used it the last two nights. I like Mike T. He’s one of the legends around here. I really didn’t want to influence him into a big purchase of a pillow and it be a complete dud. Unlike the couple who snapped on my wife and I over our Mexican restaurant life choices, I don’t think Mike would be so triggered if the pillow doesn’t perform. Still, I’m nervous to put my stamp of approval on a pillow because it’s such a personal experience. We’ll see how it goes.
Costco Smoker Pellets
– Kevin from Toboso says:
I agree with Mike T. The pellets were a great purchase.
As an appetizer, I highly recommend having a block or two of the smoked cream cheese: on the left is cream cheese topped with house-made candied jalapenos;
Right – Dill pickle and venison summer sauce. Both were excellent. Smoked for about 1.5 hours. Serve with crackers or dip style tortilla chips.
Kinsey:
I choose the one on the left because it has candied jalapenos in it.
Fooling the media with names like Jack Mehoff and Haywood Jablom
Please zoom in on your phone and check the cut lines in the photo.
-AC shares this:
I think this is from the Fargo forum, but you know the guy who told the reporter his name pronounced it like “Brom” lol.
Old Pizza Hut
-Jeremy from Pensacola checks in:
I had to share that this old Pizza Hut has been repurposed….into a marijuana dispensary!! So 2024-ish.
Kinsey:
What’s your theory on why marijuana dealers want to turn old Pizza Huts into storefronts? I told Jeremy it might have to do with the smell that bakes into the walls of the stores. When a drug user comes in and smells the big meat lube, it conjures up memories of smoking marijuana and eating pizza.
I would definitely say this should be studied, maybe the drug dealers are onto something.
– Michael S. says:
I stumbled across this website a few years ago. It looks like someone started documenting what happened to old Pizza Huts. It doesn’t seem to be very active anymore.
translation: …
Take a break and watch the sunset
here we go again.
– Isaac wants to join the fight:
I attended a three-day company retreat at Summit Bechtel Reserve, a Boy Scout facility in West Virginia, and the sunset views did not disappoint.
Reaction to Paul Skenes being replaced after taking 99 pitches to the elbow and shoulder during a no-hitter
– Franco writes:
I can’t believe they took Paul Skenes out of the game in the seventh inning after pitching a no-hitter because of the number of pitches he was throwing. He could have finished the game and taken a long break for the All-Star Game. This decision was just mind-boggling.
Also, why would the Pirates care about his pitch numbers? He’ll sign a huge contract with the Yankees when his contract expires. It’s a Pirates tradition to let go of all their best players to save money, so why worry about his arm?
Kinsey:
Good point. What are the chances the Pirates can pay $500 million for Skenes? I think the plan here is to conserve his arm so it doesn’t break when it comes time to trade him for the Yankees’ top 20 minor leaguers.
Taking your kids to their first MLB game
– Nathan K. says:
In 2021, I took my then 7-year-old son to his first Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park. It was amazing to walk through the Battery and see his eyes light up as he saw the stadium in person for the first time. He recognized what he saw on TV and was mesmerized.
This kid experienced a unique series of events that would never happen at a first game. First, our seats were right behind Acuna in the right field chophouse, complete with concierge service. The seats belonged to a client, and he received a ton of free swag from the hot Braves marketing girls, including an unreleased Ozzie Albies bobblehead and chain.
Then Steven Vogt hit a home run that landed five seats down from where we were and bounced back onto the field. Right fielder Juan Soto picked it up and tossed it to my son with a huge grin on his face. The Braves went on to win the game and the World Series that year. What a great first game.
Best time for golf tee time
– Jim T.’s tee times at Torrey Pines in San Diego:
But in Torrey, we suggest a different approach: Book a tee time so you can finish playing the 18th hole just before sundown. Take the time to take a seat on the patio at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and sip your favorite libation as you watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Torrey is not La Quinta; it’s right on the ocean, so it doesn’t get too hot in the late afternoon. Also, consider that this time of year, morning groups will likely be waiting out fog delays.
I agree with Indy Darryl about GAB. I saw my first game there last month when the Cubs were in town. I got to see Ellie live and in person as he hit a home run to right that still looked to be on track when it hit the bleachers. I went to my first game at Crosley as a kid. I grew up going to Riverfront after that, and GAB is not only better than those, it compares favorably to Petco or Camden Yards for me. (And it was nice to be part of the crowd in a Reds uniform every once in a while…)
Brunswick, Georgia Corrections
– Patrick D. via email:
Reader Jim is wrong: there are no auto assembly plants in Brunswick.
It is a RO/RO (roll-on, roll-off) port, with thousands of cars travelling in and out of the port from the rail hub, but there are no car assembly plants there.
I just wanted to set the record straight.
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Have a great weekend. Mid-July in 2024 is never coming back. Get out there and make some memories. After this 12 and under championship game and the All-Star game, I’m going to jump in the pool.
enjoy.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com
