TODTI = DITTO
IJTNO = JOINT
SYIMRE = MISERY
RGIWNI = WIRING
CARTOON ANSWER:
NEW BASEBALL BATS WEREN’T IN THE BUDGET, BUT THE TEAM’S MANAGER SAID HE’D – – –
ITT OIT SRY WNG =
WELCOME BACK
PUZZLE FANS!
🏟️ A Major Problem
Today’s cartoon takes us inside a locker room where a frustrated baseball team is meeting with their coach. Their equipment has seen better days, and the players are convinced their worn-out bats are holding them back. The coach agrees that something needs to change if they have any hope of winning. Knowing the owners may need some convincing, he’s ready to approach them and see what he can work out.
🧩 CLUE WORD BREAKDOWN
TODTI = DITTO
Needed an extra glance.
Last used: 08/09/2025 as TDOIT
IJTNO = JOINT
Instantly visible.
Last used: 06/30/2020 as NTIJO
SIYMRE = MISERY
My pick for hardest.
Last used: 02/03/2023 as RSMEIY
RGIWNI = WIRING
The -ING suffix made it a breeze.
Last used: 11/16/2024 as IWNIRG
🔎 Jumble Jeff’s Jems
➤ BENCH PRESSURE
The players are seated on folding chairs, each wearing part of a baseball uniform. The first player is holding a baseball bat in his right hand and pointing to it as he complains. The second player is holding a canned drink in his right hand, and the third remains silent while listening. On the third player’s right upper arm is a tattoo showing a baseball diamond with a baseball in the middle.
➤ THE BATTERED BOSS
The coach has a buzz cut and a thick mustache. He is standing in front of the players and holding a baseball bat in his left hand while he talks to them.
➤ LOCKER ROOM LOWDOWN
In the background, there are locker cubbies with three sections visible. The first cubby has a shirt hanging on a hanger. The second appears to have a boombox in the upper cubby with a shirt hanging below it, and the third cubby has an empty hanger.
🧠 FINAL SOLVE
The final answer was a 12-letter anagram that solved into a 3 + 2 + 5 + 2 layout. There was no delay in coming up with the answer. With baseball bats taking center stage, I figured either CRACK, WOOD or SWING would be part of the answer. Once the clue words were solved down the line, the letters for SWING were ripe for the picking. With those crossed out, TO, IT, and then TRY were easy to suss from the remainder to bring this one home. If today’s puzzle slowed you down, our biggest nudges were the player and the coach both pointing toward the bats, along with the coach saying he would speak with the owners and see what he could do. SWING supplied the baseball wordplay for the familiar expression TRY TO SWING IT.
⚾ CLICK-TO-REVEAL FACTS*: ABOUT BASEBALL
➤ What are a fan’s chances of being hit by a baseball at a game?
SOURCE
➤ How many hot dogs do baseball fans eat each year?
SOURCE
➤ How many stitches are on a Major League baseball?
SOURCE
➤ About how many baseballs are used during a typical game?
SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
💬 SAY WHAT?
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” — Derek Jeter
🎉 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS* – JULY 31
➤ National Raspberry Cake Day — Celebrate the sweet and tangy raspberry by enjoying it baked into a cake, layered into a filling, or scattered across the top of a favorite dessert. SOURCE
➤ National Avocado Day — Slice it, mash it, or turn it into guacamole while celebrating the creamy green fruit that has become a favorite addition to meals and snacks. SOURCE
➤ National Mutt Day — Recognize mixed-breed dogs and encourage adoption by celebrating the loyal, lovable mutts waiting for permanent homes in shelters across the country. SOURCE
➤ System Administrator Appreciation Day — Thank the technology professionals who maintain computer systems, solve technical problems, protect networks, and keep workplaces connected. SOURCE
➤ National Get Gnarly Day — Step outside the ordinary by trying something adventurous, embracing a bold idea, or finding a lively new way to enjoy the day. SOURCE
➤ National Talk in an Elevator Day — Break the usual elevator silence by offering a friendly greeting and sharing a brief conversation with the people riding alongside you. SOURCE
*For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
🥄 VIRAL RECIPE
This warm and colorful dessert combines a juicy mixture of berries with a sweet, buttery crumble topping. Everything bakes together in a skillet until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden, making it an easy summertime treat that is especially inviting with a scoop of ice cream.
🛒 DAILY DROPS*
➤ Pillsbury Harry Potter Golden Snitch Sugar Cookies — Pillsbury has released a limited-time Ready to Bake! Harry Potter Golden Snitch Shape Sugar Cookie Dough. Each package makes up to 20 pre-cut cookies featuring the famous Golden Snitch. The dough can be baked for an easy themed treat or eaten raw because Pillsbury says it is safe to enjoy straight from the package.
SOURCE
➤ Campbell’s Chunky Frozen Bowls — Campbell’s Chunky is moving into the freezer aisle with eight new single-serve meals containing between 20 and 28 grams of protein. The lineup includes Cheesy Loaded Potato with Steak and Bacon, Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac and Cheese, Chili Mac, Country Fried Chicken and Mashed Potatoes, Meat Lovers’ Lasagna, and Philly Cheesesteak Mac and Cheese. The bowls are arriving nationwide for about $5.49 each.
SOURCE
➤ Qdoba Free Entrée Deal for National Avocado Day — In celebration of National Avocado Day, Qdoba Rewards members can receive a free entrée on July 31 or August 1 when they purchase an entrée and a drink. The free item must be of equal or lesser value, and quesadillas are excluded. Orders can be placed in the restaurant or online while signed into a Rewards account.
SOURCE
➤ King’s Hawaiian Soft Swirl Cinnamon Bites — King’s Hawaiian has introduced new cinnamon-flavored bread bites packaged in a 10.2-ounce tub. The soft, lightly sweet bites can be warmed for a fresh cinnamon-roll-style treat or eaten directly from the container. They are heading to stores now and are not being advertised as a limited-edition release.
SOURCE
*Prices and participation may vary. Retailers may alter or end promotions without notice. For entertainment purposes only.
🌕 That’s A Wrap!
JEST For Fun
(Click joke to reveal answer)➤ Which baseball player preferred to heat with logs?
➤ What do baseball players use to bake a cake?
➤ Which playing position does a turkey prefer?
🏆 Kudos to these players who make it look RALLY easy:
⚾ Inquislysprby
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💰 Groovyphantom
🏆 Alan H.
🏒 Rpavenue
💳 MateodeColón
🏀 Cheerful5D
🧤 Smitty
💲 GHB8225
🏈 Usuallye4cc
🎟️ Charlie
🏅 Butterflybarbi
💸 Warren
🏐 HonestlyOff
🤑 Pink3CE
🎯 Jeffritter3fb
🏦 Jkorski
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🥇 DTomassini
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🍫 Betty
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✨May your day be BRIGHT and your mind stay SHARP!✨
Jumble is a registered trademark of Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights to the original puzzle, characters, and artwork are owned by Tribune Content Agency. This site is an independent fan resource and solver’s guide, unaffiliated with the creators or syndicators. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect those of Tribune Content Agency or the puzzle’s creators. For entertainment purposes only. Consult reliable sources for critical use.
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