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Hi,

I did a Newsday crossword reprinted in a local paper.

The clue was: "April shower in stadiums," and the answer (which I got by default) is "ESPN."

I can tell from googling that the answer is correct (the same clue and answer have appeared in other puzzles), but I don't understand why. I know ESPN is a cable sports network, and that it broadcasts various games from stadiums, but what makes it the answer to that particular clue??

Would sure appreciate any help!!-- thanks!!

Was there any special instruction given with the crossword or maybe a theme?

Alas, no.

No special instructions, no theme. The puzzle is just presented as the "Saturday Stumper."

No question mark after the clue, nothing to indicate it's a pun or trick question. Some of the other clues in the puzzle are very cryptic, but, as mentioned, I googled the clue, and the same clue and answer have appeared in other puzzles.

I just can't see any relationship between the clue and answer.

I appreciate your interest, thanks!

All I can see is 'Shower' someone or an organization that shows something.
ESPN 'show' footage of sports events in stadiums.

But I'm stumped where April comes into the equation.

"Shower" => "show-er"... that's absolutely brilliant! Don't think I'da seen that alternative word interpretation in a million years!

I'll bet "April" is just a red herring. ESPN would be showing something in a stadium practically year-round (baseball starts in April, anyway), so April would "true" while also being wildly misleading.

Perhaps someone will have some other idea.

Anyway, thanks a million!! 👍

Glad you found it helpful Mrsstrongarm. Still not sure about April though. Maybe others can add an explanation.

There is an item on Facebook relating to a baseball player called Ryan Braun having beer spilled on him by a supporter and this is referred to as an 'April shower ' because it was in April 2019 and is shown on ESPN

Hanman - wow! That would win some kind of prize for obliqueness!

Well found by you though.

M

Yow!!-- sorry for the late reply, and I agree with kt17: that is one amazing bit of research, and it manages to check off all the boxes-- incredible!! Many thanks for that.

FWIW: I couldn't find any similar incidents, and I couldn't find a specific reference to a beer spill at a ballpark being an "April shower." Also, other networks had that same film clip besides ESPN, so... not sure. That would be pretty amazing to have a clue based on a single incident, but some of the clues in this particular puzzle seem so obscure (and unfair), I guess it wouldn't surprise me.

Anyway: many, many thanks for all your efforts, sincerely appreciated, it was a truly amazing find! 👍