Salma Hayek Kicks Off Bikini Season In Dramatic Fashion, Mike Tyson Looks Ready & Robots Vs. Dough
What happened to the Instagram embeds?
– Zach writes:
OK, obviously I missed something here, but I was just curious when and why the Instagram pics of hot women have disappeared for screencaps?
Kinsey:
I'm told the company is working to return embedding to its normal operational status. There were some internal tech changes made just before I left for Augusta. Since I was going on vacation, I turned off my computer and figured things would be fixed when I returned. They haven't been fixed.
I'm told embeds will be back. I'm going to leave it at that.
My prediction stands: Top-level DI high school baseball will be history in five years
Here's the thesis I've been working on the last couple of months: high school baseball will be the next target of the travel ball industry. As the country adds more and more for-profit sports complexes and city governments get deeper into bed with for-profit businesses, we will see high school baseball replaced by spring travel baseball that will then pivot seamlessly into summer baseball.
Instead of playing for your high school, you'll play with a club from February-July, or later, in the south.
On Monday, I presented this someone with his finger on the pulse of the industry.
– Travel Ball Hardo Chris B. in Houston writes:
Well, my son is a junior so currently, what you describe is not an option around here. All HS boys play for their school, and then they're strongly encouraged to play for any select program over the summer. HS select ball doesn't exist here in the Spring. They hold their tryouts in December because once school starts in early January, the boys are gearing up for HS tryouts and most are not allowed to even work out with their select teams until HS ball is over. But they collect all your money monthly through the Spring so you're fully locked in.
My son changed teams for this summer, to a team that travels much less than before. I've paid $300 each in Feb, March & April with one more payment in May. Then after that we're paid in 'full'... except we have to pay the tourney entry fees. I guess Coach is gonna split those up and send us an amount due based on which boys are playing each weekend.
What you are suggesting could happen. But it doesn't appear to be imminent from what I can see. Youth select ball (14 and under) starts in Feb. I am sure that some travel a lot, but in this big city most "just" travel around the Houston area. There are lots of tourneys every weekend around the suburbs.
Kinsey:
We're not that far off from high school football franchises, high school baseball franchises and high school basketball franchises that don't play under the rules as set forth by athletic associations.
I believe it was 3-4 weeks ago, I posted a tweet in Screencaps where investors looking to create an NIL-driven high school football league.
Then I see things like this:
First impressions of my 11-12U house ball team
Saturday, we got together for our first practice of the season. Immediately I noticed kids that WANT to play baseball. They're not showing up because their parents told them they're playing. That's a big change from where I was at on day one last season with 9 & 10s.
- I have two short lefty pitchers. The 11-year-old has Billy Wagner written all over his left arm. He's short, but the arm is live. The ball has pop, with natural movement away from right-handed hitters, while just playing catch. The 12-year-old boy is my Glavine. We've spent an hour and a half together, but I think he could be my ace. I love his attitude and his ability to get the ball over the plate while nibbling at the corners. My pitchers are going to get tired of hearing, "Throw strikes, I don't care if they hit it a mile, make them hit it." Those are my analytics, boys.
- My other top arm is an 11 year old boy I had last year who is a house ball staple. He's an innings eater. Has a long, Tom Seaver stride to the plate. The first thing I noticed this year is that his velocity is up. In the past, he was a control pitcher who made kids hit it. This year, I wouldn't be surprised to see him miss more bats. He's the kid who doesn't say too much. He'll grab the ball and go to work. I can sit back and adjust the defense.
- I have a lanky, athletic six-footer at first base who also plays soccer. I'm talking grown man height. I said it here last week: My teams are at their best when I have a sequoia at 1B with a glove who can make the infielders look better than they are. The house ball gods gave me one and he can mash a baseball. He's also my Kevin Millar. My Sean Casey. He is a talker, but in a good guy way. I'm already in his ear telling him he's our leader and the 11U boys will follow him.
- Practice runs so much smoother at this level. We got a ton done in a short amount of time because the boys are competent and the game is now more nuanced. I'm not going to say 11-12U is my sweet spot as a coach, but I will say it's growing on me - fast.
- Yes, I need to work on nicknames.
I like where we're headed. I have ball players.
– Ben in Wisconsin writes:
A quick baseball story you’ll appreciate. We just received coaching/team assignments for this year’s machine pitch season over the weekend.
I’m the head coach of 12, 6&7 year olds, and was given no assistants as no other parents signed up. How the hell can I run a 90-minute practice or game, being the only coach?!
Should be an interesting season, but I’ll give it my all and do what’s best for the kids. As for their parents, they don’t want to know what I really think. It’s probably the same folks who pay to have their lawn mowed.
Kinsey:
I suggest you approach at least one or two fathers and just ask if you can get some help. You should have a good feel for which fathers would work best. When face-to-face, dads tend to soften up and agree to help.
If that doesn't work, call a team meeting after a game and say it out loud in front of the wives. They will get into the SUV and tell their husbands to start helping.
Mower question with TNML Opening Day looming
– Jake in Charlottesville, VA writes:
First off, chef's kiss on 'caps from the other day with your John Daly story. Loved it. I've been a Day One 'caps reader, and that may have been my favorite.
So I was hoping the community might help me with some troubleshooting I've been doing over the last couple of weeks with my lawnmower. I've involved my neighbor, who is a retired mechanical engineer and maintains his first car, which is a Ford Model A, and even he is scratching his head at my issue.
I have a Honda mower that is about 10 years old with the ubiquitous GCV160 engine. Starting probably about three years ago, the mower would backfire out of the exhaust when starting after emptying the bag, but would then run fine afterwards.
This year, before I started it for the first time, I replaced the air filter (old one was completely clean, but I figured there was no harm in putting in a new one), the spark plug (old one was mildly black, but certainly not fouled), put in fresh oil, and new ethanol-free gas.
I started it up afterwards, and it was running very poorly, with backfires out of the muffler probably every 10 seconds or so, and not enough power to drive the blades when I’d engage the clutch. I had recently resurrected an old trimmer that wouldn’t run by replacing the carburetor, so I figured I’d go that route. I bought an OEM Honda carburetor and installed that. Nothing changed.
I then started consulting with my neighbor, who was convinced that the mower was fuel starved, so I replaced the fuel filter. Nothing changed. If I leave the gas cap off, nothing changes.
This leaves me with only one conclusion, which is that the valve timing is incorrect due to the timing belt slipping. I’ve watched several videos on how to fix this, and while it doesn’t appear to be the most difficult repair in the world, I’ve never done it before.
So my main question to the community is: is there anything I’m overlooking that could be causing the engine to run rough and misfire? And why would it be mostly running fine when I put it away (I always shut off the gas, run the engine until it dies, and then drain whatever fuel is left in the tank before I store it for the off-season), but barely runs now if it is indeed a slipped timing belt?
The Masters pimento cheese controversy
– Dawgs fan Sam L. writes:
So, the sandwich is not the original receipe. And the Masters twice gotten themselves burned by not getting the receipe and changing vendors.
At one point they hired investigators and tracked what the vendor was purchasing to reverse engineer it.
A article about how the 1% can't get everything they want every time.
Masters 2022: The curious case of the original pimento cheese recipe (and how you can now buy it)
Jim Nantz and the Masters coverage
– Philly Ray from Minnesota emails:
Glad to hear you had a great experience at the Masters.
I've been a long-time fan of Jim Nantz but I thought his unprovoked slight at the LIV tour players late in the final round was beneath him...unless he was told to say that by the PGA/CBS honchos.
Not sure if you heard it but late in the final round he stated, "all of the top 5 on the leader board are PGA Tour players." (for now anyway- I fixed it for him). Of course, he waited until Bryson, Cam Smith and Hatton all were out of it (though all 3 finished in the Top 10 so they'll be there again next year). Do better Jim.
Masters memories
– Indy Daryl writes:
Good morning! It was wonderful to hear about your Masters experience. Sounds like an absolute dream come true. I remember being 11 years old watching a Tiger win in ‘97, celebrating with every shot, and cheering as he donned the green jack for the first time. Getting the chance to be that close to him teeing it up would have been incredible.
While that may have been my first and perhaps most forming masters experience, little did I know 13 short years later I would be celebrating Sunday at the Masters with a brand new baby! My first daughter was born exactly one week prior and the picture below (taken by my MIL) couldn’t have been more perfect. I still remember the sound of Phil’s 5 wood from the pine straw at 13 where I believe he went on to make eagle and his second green jacket win. Not sure any masters would be able to top that!
I hope you enjoyed the Scheffler win!
Emailer shares his story of fracturing his dong
Monday, I wrote about the guy in Tunisia who fractured his dong in two places. Of course, I left my email address in that post in case others had tragic stories to share. Sure enough, I got a story.
– Lloyd in Clearwater writes:
Good Monday to you sir from lovely Pinellas Co. FL!
I can relate to this story in a very painful way.
Flashback five years or so and it's a Friday night patio party listening to music, just me and the Mrs.
The mood hits her suddenly and we go to bed. We weren't sleeping lol.
Without explaining exactly what happened (use your imagination) all of the sudden the is a huge POP noise.
She stops, I am almost numb at this point. I know there isn't going to be a happy ending for either of us at this point.
The next morning I wake up and go to get in the shower. The image in the mirror is one I will never forget.
I would say I have a normal sized penis when flaccid. This is not what I saw in the mirror. I had to look down to see if the mirror was real life. My dong was dark purple and black on one side and swollen to the size of a coke can. I took a shower, got dressed, ate breakfast and waited for her to get up.
By the time she came around I had already packed another set of pj pants, t shirt, my ID and insurance card and one credit card into a grocery bag. We were going to the ER.
Long story short, I had surgery to repair the broken tunica abulginea (not a name I ever wanted to learn) on the right side.
5 years later, every once in awhile some stiches material will appear to remind me. That and the cool scar...
Be safe everyone! Don't drink and "drive".
Kinsey:
Thank you for keeping it clinical, Lloyd.
Inside a ‘Business Costco’
– Mike T. writes:
You know TGC and I love Costcos and visit them where we travel. Well we were in the Seattle Washington area recently and had the opportunity to visit a business Costco. I’m happy to report it was a fantastic experience! There are only 24 business Costco in the US and they are definitely different than a "normal " Costco.
The stores are setup for restaurants, cafes and small grocery stores.
You see Costco employees everywhere filling box’s for small business deliveries, lots of Costco delivery trucks parked in the back.
The front of the store is restaurant equipment not TVs and electronics
Packed snacks are in the middle of the store.
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That's it this beautiful April morning with the birds chirping and the grass growing in beautifully. Go out there and attack the day.
Yes, I hear your concerns about the page not loading and I'll be passing those concerns along to my superiors.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com
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Caitlin Clark poses for a portrait after being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever during the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 14, 2025 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Cameron Brink poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2024 WNBA Draft. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)