T-Ball Tee Notches First Big League Victory Over Twins

[RandBalls Stu]

“Tip your cap to the Jugs A0400, it had us guessing all day,” said Baldelli.

Image courtesy of Elisabeth Wales/Unsplash. Pictured: Oliver Mathews, 7, smashes an RBI single the other way off the Jugs 0400 in August 2022 before getting an orange slice from his mother.

“Tip your cap to the Jugs A0400, it had us guessing all day,” said Baldelli.

The Tampa Bay Rays were in a jam on Thursday when starting pitcher Yonny Chorinos was a late scratch. With a quick afternoon turnaround following a night game, Tampa opted to give the bullpen a rest and turned to the Jugs A0400 Hit Like a Pro Batting Tee to take on the struggling Minnesota Twins.

It was the right call.

The inanimate object, $59.99 from Dick’s Sporting Goods, notched its first MLB victory, going six strong innings in a 4-2 defeat of the slumping Twins.

“It had us off balance from the jump,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “And when we made contact, it was usually right at someone. Tip your cap to the Jugs A0400, it had us guessing all day.”

The simple plastic/polymer rod gave up a long solo home run to Minnesota shortstop Carlos Correa, but that was the only run it allowed. Michael A. Taylor added a solo shot in the eighth off Colin Poche.

“People say the hardest thing to do in professional sports is to hit a baseball, and they’re 100% right,” said Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach. “Doesn’t have to be Nolan Ryan or Greg Maddux throwing it, either. Once that ball gets put on the tee, anything can happen. Just have to have a short memory and move on to the next game.”

Rays manager Kevin Cash was asked why he removed the Jugs A0400 from the game, given that it cannot feel fatigue or pain.

“If we returned it to Dick’s before 5pm (Thursday), we could get a whole refund. With traffic the way it is here, we didn’t want to take a chance and make sure we could maintain our financial flexibility down the line.”

Meanwhile, it doesn’t get any easier for the miserable Twins offense, as they travel to Toronto for a three-game series where they’re expected to face Yusei Kikuchi, a TBD Little Leaguer who’s trying his best, and Rex, a friendly dog who drops the ball at the plate and then ambles back to the dugout.

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[CRF]

Right now, the Twins hitters would have a hard time in a wiffle ball game. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

What about when they face the Pigseye Beer pig that delivered the balls to the home plate Ump at the Saints games all those years?  He’s formidable.

[mikelink45]

I came looking for satire and found a factual account of the game - what gives?

[LastOnePicked]

Now that's satire with a little teeth. I like it.

And having the Rays return the tee for payroll flexibility? Brilliance. Twins aren't in top form right now, but the writers on TD are.

[SockNet]

The Twins earned this

[BobAzar]

If they faced the Little Tykes tee, they may have stood a chance. maybe next time.

 

https://www.target.com/p/little-tikes-toy-sports-t-ball-set-red/-/A-53664702#lnk=sametab

 

 

[DJL44]

On the plus side, only 5 strikeouts against the tee.

[TwinkieFan4life]

Buxton would probably run into the tee attempting to run to 1st, leading to lengthy IL trip.

[dogsday]

Ha-ha, well done! But you forgot the injuries: one outfielder to the 60-day IL with a strained groin. One infielder to the 10 day IL with whiplash. And a catcher day-to-day with what is being called "plastic shards."

[lukeduke1980]

Rocco pinch hit for Kirilloff in the first inning after learning it was a left handed tee

[Minny505]

@RandBalls Stu Longtime reader back to 2008 and Twinkie Town. This is your best piece to date. Thank you.

[G Lee]

This is a direct steal from The Onion.

[Original_JB]

5 minutes ago, G Lee said:

This is a direct steal from The Onion.

Speaking of steals, the arm on that Tee made picking Kepler off 2nd look awfully easy yesterday

[joefish]

We outhit them yesterday.  And they struck out more than we did. SMH.

Go T'ins. No 'W'in in them. I'll return the w when they get back above .500

Time to watch my carrots grow. 

I do like our pitchers. 

 

 

[weitz41]

I might have peed myself a little on this one..Well played Stu..Well played...

[gman]

Can we sign a "Batting" tee?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Sure, Sunday's starting pitcher Rex might only be a dog, but he's a really good dog. Who's a good dog? Rex!

[NotAboutWinning]

Laughing... crying... so many tears! Truly one of your best Stu!! 🤣😭😂

[Richie the Rally Goat]

7 hours ago, Minny505 said:

@RandBalls Stu Longtime reader back to 2008 and Twinkie Town. This is your best piece to date. Thank you.

Close, but I have to go with this one

https://www.twinkietown.com/2013/1/4/3833034/an-oral-history-of-nick-punto-sliding-headfirst-into-first-base

[David HK]

They've got no chance against Rex.  Although he's been rumored to have something like a spitter... 🐶

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Close, but I have to go with this one

https://www.twinkietown.com/2013/1/4/3833034/an-oral-history-of-nick-punto-sliding-headfirst-into-first-base

That's the article that got Stu money, GOT STU PAID

[gil4]

12 hours ago, BobAzar said:

If they faced the Little Tykes tee, they may have stood a chance. maybe next time.

 

https://www.target.com/p/little-tikes-toy-sports-t-ball-set-red/-/A-53664702#lnk=sametab

 

 

We need to send that link to the front office in Toronto in case TBD Little Leaguer gets grounded for staying up too late playing video games.  

[jkcarew]

“Tip your cap to the Jugs A0400, it had us guessing all day,” said Baldelli.
 

 

That’s good stuff.