A Puzzle by David Pleacher



A game of Scrabble was played by two sports enthusists, and peculiarly enough, every word was a sports-related word (or almost!).   The game was played on a regulation Scrabble board using the standard rules for Scrabble.   The following abbreviations are used on the board: TWS = Triple Word Score; DWS = Double Word Score; TLS = Triple Letter Score; and DLS = Double Letter Score.   The chart below gives the frequency and the value of the letter tiles:

  Tile     Freq.     Value       Tile     Frequency     Value  
  A     9     1         N     6     1  
  B     2     3         O     8     1  
  C     2     3         P     2     3  
  D     4     2         Q     1     10  
  E     12     1         R     6     1  
  F     2     4         S     4     1  
  G     3     2         T     6     1  
  H     2     4         U     4     1  
  I     9     1         V     2     4  
  J     1     8         W     2     4  
  K     1     5         X     1     8  
  L     4     1         Y     2     4  
  M     2     3         Z     1     10  
                  blank     2     0  


Play alternated between the two sports enthusiasts until all but two tiles were played (V and A).   You must determine each word played, correct placement on the board, and the score at the end of the game.   You are given a clue for each word played.   The correct placement of the first letter of the first word has been given to you.   Remember that no more than SEVEN additional letters may be placed at one time.   In this game, blanks were played only after all tiles of a particular letter were played (the two blanks were played in move #19 and move #24).

Fill in the score in the chart below:
Score    Clues
  Player 1       Player 2      
_____ X 1. In football, when a player who has possession of the ball drops it, it is called a _____.
  Word begins at (5, 8).
     
X _____ 2. In football, a defensive maneuver in which one or more linebackers or defensive backs,
  who normally remain on the defensive team's side during a play, are instead
  sent across the line to the offensive side to try to tackle the quarterback
  or disrupt his pass attempt is called a _____.   Word begins at (8, 8).
     
_____ X 3. In most sports, when you do not have the ball, you are on _____.
  Word begins at (5, 10).
     
X _____ 4. Volleyball players are taught to bump, set, and _____.   Word begins at (1, 7).
     
_____ X 5. In basketball, a foul ____ counts as one point.   Word begins at (5, 5).
     
X _____ 6. In baseball, _____ are used between the catcher and the pitcher as
  well as between the coach and the runners.   Word begins at (1, 11).
     
_____ X 7. In football, a _____ is performed when the player kicks the football
  before it touches the ground. Word begins at (2, 7).
     
X _____ 8. In football, basketball, and hockey, _____ is kept on a scoreboard
  clock.   Word begins at (2, 4).
     
_____ X 9. In basketball, when each player guards an area on the floor instead
  of a man, it is called a _____ defense.   Word begins at (8, 4).
     
X _____ 10. In football, a backwards pass which does not advance the football
  is called a _____.   Word begins at (11, 7).
     
_____ X 11. Football is played on a _____, as is baseball.   Word begins at (8, 1).
     
X _____ 12. Boxing takes place in a _____.   Word begins at (11, 3).
     
_____ X 13. In ice hockey, when a player shoots the puck across at least two red lines,
  the opposing team's goal line being the last, and the puck remains untouched,
  it is called _____ the puck.   Word begins at (13, 6)
     
X _____ 14. In baseball, when a relief pitcher finishes a game for the winning team under
  certain prescribed circumstances, he is credited with a _____.   Word begins at (1, 11).
     
_____ X 15. In both volleyball and tennis, the ball is put in play with a _____.   Word begins at (3, 14).
     
X _____ 16. In baseball, a _____ is one of the following: Single, Double, Triple, or Home Run.
  Word begins at (7, 6).
     
_____ X 17. In football, each possession begins with first _____.   The team then has four
  of these to make ten yards.   Word begins at (5, 10).
     
X _____ 18. In baseball, the score is kept by keeping track of each _____ that is made.
  Word begins at (8, 12).
     
_____ X 19. In baseball, when a player hits the ball and makes it to second base, it is called a _____.
  Word begins at (10, 13).
     
X _____ 20. In baseball, a player uses a _____ to hit the ball.   Word begins at (10, 10).
     
_____ X 21. In baseball, a hitter is also known as a _____.   Word begins at (10, 10).
     
X _____ 22. In tennis, a shot that fails to cross the net or lands out of the court, resulting in
  loss of the point is called a(n) _____.   Word begins at (15, 11).
     
_____ X 23. Another name for a commercial.   Word begins at (9, 13).
     
X _____ 24. "Winners never _____, and quitters never win."   Word begins at (13, 13).
     
_____ X 25. The World _____ is the most-watched sporting event in the world.
  Word begins at (12, 12).
     
X _____ 26. In baseball, a player is admonished to keep his _____ on the ball.
  Word begins at (3, 13).
     
_____ X 27. A noun meaning former, as in "he is a(n) _____ Rockie."
  Word begins at (5, 13).
     
X _____ 28. The feeling when one wins a ball game.   Word begins at (4, 15).
     
_____ X 29. Trash-talk.   Word begins at (4, 15).
     
X _____ 30. In baseball, managers get _____ when a bad call is made.
  Word begins at (4, 4).
     
_____ X 31. Nike's ad: "Just _____ it!"   Word begins at (4, 2).
     
X _____ 32. _____ inch or two is important in most games.   Word begins at (1, 5).
     
_____ X 33. Stephen Wright said, "I watched the Indy 500, and I was thinking that if they
  left earlier they wouldn't have _____ go so fast."   Word begins at (12, 10).
     
X _____ 34. In baseball, when a pitcher has an 0-2 count, he can _____ with
  the batter.   Word begins at (12, 10).
     
_____ _____ 35. Player 1 was left with a V and Player 2 was left with an A.
     
     
_____ _____ TOTAL SCORE







Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher