Solving the Mystery Behind “Weakly Hit Fly Ball” in NYT Mini Crossword
So, I was checking out the July 9th edition of the New York Times Mini Crossword —you know, that bite-sized, fast-paced puzzle that offers just enough challenge to spark your brain without eating up your day. And there it was: the clue that’s got everyone talking— “Weakly hit fly ball.” Simple at first glance, right? But trust me, it stumped more than a few of us, especially if you're not a regular at baseball lingo. The answer? BLOOP.
Now, let’s break this down because that one word— bloop —is doing a lot more heavy lifting than it appears.
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In baseball terminology, a bloop refers to a softly hit fly ball that barely makes it over the infield and just lands in no-man’s land—far enough that no infielder can catch it, but not deep enough for an outfielder to grab it. It’s not a powerful hit, it’s not glamorous, and it’s definitely not intentional most of the time. But, funnily enough, it often gets the job done. Think of it as the underdog of baseball hits—weak but strategic, subtle but impactful.
Back to the crossword—this clue was part of a smooth and engaging puzzle by Erik Kain. It was paired with other clever clues like “Fairylike figure of folklore” for ELF and “Food made using a bamboo mat” for SUSHI. While many clues clicked instantly, bloop tripped people up, mainly because not everyone has a baseball background. For those of us who aren’t MLB devotees, “weakly hit fly ball” doesn’t immediately translate into this odd-sounding word. It almost feels like a sound effect more than a term.
But that’s the beauty of the NYT Mini. It blends pop culture, sports, history, and language into a small yet delightful challenge. You can knock it out in under two minutes—or stare at one clue for way too long. I’ll admit, I had a moment where I second-guessed every word because I typed “NOHH” instead of “NOHO” and messed up the whole bottom row. Classic rookie move.
Still, solving it feels like a minor victory. Like hitting your own bloop —not flashy, not powerful, but perfectly placed. So the next time you see “weakly hit fly ball,” just remember: it’s a bloop , and like the best crossword clues, it’s all about context, not brute force.
Whether you're a seasoned solver or just dabbling in daily puzzles, these little linguistic curveballs make the Mini more than just a game—they make it a daily mental warm-up, and every correct word feels like a win.
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