Kaidoku!

Kaidoku #128

Kaidoku #128 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

Have you tried Joon’s Dictionary game? If not, what are you waiting for? A new word every day.

See you Monday!

Kaidoku #127

Kaidoku #127 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

This is the Kaidoku-est Kaidoku to ever Kaidoku. I think you’ll like it! Enjoy, and we’re back on Thursday.

Kaidoku #126

Kaidoku #126 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

Woo! Another Kaidoku! And it’s fun! And … I don’t have anything interesting to say. So enjoy!

Kaidoku #125 & Deja Vu

Kaidoku #125 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

Oh, man, I’m losing it. Have I run this puzzle before? Maybe? I can’t find it. But it looks so familiar. Help? Eh, it’s fun anyway, I think you’ll enjoy it.

See you Monday!

Kaidoku #124 & Celebrity Sighting!

Kaidoku #124 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

Living in L.A., I occasionally run into celebrities. It’s just part of the lifestyle out here. Well, this past weekend at a bar in Santa Monica, I ran into Christopher Nolan! I hesitated about whether I should introduce myself, and so what I ended up doing was following him back home and breaking into his house. You won’t believe what I found there! This appears to be a draft version of the idea for “Inception”, and I think it really offers some insight into the mind of one of our great screenwriters.
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Hey, we’ve got a new Kaidoku for today too! I think it’s pretty easy, as far as these things go. If you’re new to this, check out the tips page for info on how to get started.

See you Monday! Matt will be back with a puzzle then.

Kaidoku #123 & Ways to Reach First Base

Kaidoku #123 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

One of the old baseball questions is “What are the seven eight ways to reach first base?” Should I give you a second to think about the answer or not? Eh, time’s up, here they are:

1. 1. Hit
2. 2. Walk
3. 3. HBP
4. 4. Error
5. 5. Fielder’s Choice
6. 6. K+WP
7. 7. Catcher’s Interference
8. 8. Fielder’s Obstruction

(We’re not counting “pinch runner” … we’re talking about a guy getting from the batter’s box to first base).

Okay, now here’s a follow-up question: say we have a bases-loaded situation and a batter reaches with one of the above possibilities. Does he get an RBI? Let’s go through the possibilities:

1. 1. Hit – YES
2. 2. Walk – YES
3. 3. HBP – YES
4. 4. Error – MAYBE
5. 5. Fielder’s Choice – YES
6. 6. K+WP – NO
7. 7. Catcher’s Interference – YES
8. 8. Fielder’s Obstruction – YES

Okay, seems a little weird, right? Every way you can reach first base nets you an RBI, except for reaching on a strikeout/wild pitch. You might say “it’s the pitcher’s fault” but … isn’t it the pitcher’s fault when he hits the batter? At least on a K/WP the batter had to hustle.

Well, I’ve thought a lot about this and I can only see one way this makes sense. Here’s a question I don’t know the answer to:

Suppose the bases are loaded with two out. The batter strikes out but the pitch eludes the catcher. If the batter is thrown out at first, but not before the runner from third crosses the plate, does the run count?

If the answer is “yes”, I can understand why the batter wouldn’t get the RBI on the K+WP. If the answer is “no”, I really see no reason he shouldn’t get the RBI. Does anyone know the answer to the above?

No more baseball. Kaidoku! Enjoy today’s puzzle — it’s really, really good.

Video Game-Themed Crossword

Crossword: PUZ | PDF | Java applet

So I got a present I bought for myself recently — a new PS3. I didn’t really buy it for the video games … at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself. But no, really, I love that we can get NetFlix on it, and (the major selling point for me) the MLB.tv package, which has a much, much better interface than it does online. I am also really loving the web browser, on which we can get France 24 (an online French answer to CNN that’s really quite good) and also The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, via sling.com.

But, yes, I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy a video game, so I bought the subject of today’s puzzle too. It’s really a lot of fun, even though I’ve totally spoiled it for myself, thinking I’d never get an opportunity to play it. Fair warning about today’s puzzle: if you’re not up on recent video games, today’s crossword is essentially a boring 13x themeless. But, I had to make it anyway. Hopefully some of you will enjoy it.

Matt’s back on Monday with a real live Kaidoku! See you then!

Kaidoku #122

Kaidoku #122 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

Quick post today because I’m running late — but it’s too bad because Matt has a terrific Kaidoku today (awesome words! unusual vowel patterns! consecutive double letters!). So take the time to enjoy it. That post I’ve been promising about the RBI quiz I had a while back? It’s coming. Don’t worry.

On Thursday I’m going to actually publish a standard crossword in this space as opposed to a Kaidoku. Until then, enjoy Matt’s puzzle!

No Kaidoku Today

Still sick, though marginally better than yesterday. Talk amongst yourselves.

Kaidoku #121 & I’m Sick. Again.

Kaidoku #121 (PDF) | Java applet | JPZ (get Crossword Solver)

Ugh. I’m sick all the time, if you haven’t noticed by now. So commentary will be light. I’ve got a long follow-up to my RBI quiz from last week that will have to wait until Thursday. Today, all you get is a nice smooth Kaidoku from Matt and a cutesy video from YouTube. Enjoy!