Episode 84 of Podyallup is for Friday, July 17, 2026. The episode opens during a summer thunderstorm and moves into a week filled with teaching, baseball, language learning, programming, and local events.

The host reflects on the people, stories, classes, teams, and memories that make Puyallup and the surrounding community an interesting place to live.

Teaching baseball through Washington history

In his summer ESL course, the host has been teaching Washington State history through baseball. The class spent two sessions learning the basic rules of the game, including runs, innings, singles, doubles, triples, home runs, extra innings, and the roles of the pitcher, catcher, batter, and runner.

Baseball may not be the most important subject in the world, but it offers a useful way to understand American culture. The goal was to help students follow a Mariners game at the stadium, on television, or on the radio and perhaps understand why so many people care about the sport.

The Mariners, 1995, and The Double

The class also explored Seattle baseball history, beginning with the Seattle Pilots in 1969 and the arrival of the Mariners in 1977. The host explained the importance of the Kingdome, the stadium problems of the 1990s, and the possibility that the Mariners could have left Seattle.

Students learned about Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, and broadcaster Dave Niehaus. They also listened to some of Niehaus's famous expressions and practiced the vocabulary needed to understand a baseball radio call.

The lesson ended with the Mariners' dramatic 1995 playoff run against the Yankees. After learning the context, the class watched Edgar Martinez hit The Double, with Joey Cora and Griffey racing home to win the series and help change the future of baseball in Seattle.

Cal Ripken state tournament recap

The Puyallup Cal Ripken 11-year-old all-star team returned from the state tournament in Port Angeles. The team finished without a win, but the pitching was strong and the defense generally kept the games close.

The main difficulty was offense. The team struggled to string together hits and score enough runs, including a 4-1 loss to Kelso and several other close games that remained within reach.

The host also discusses the 10-year-old all-star team, which performed well in pool play and received an at-large bid to continue its tournament run. Even with the losses, the experience remained fun and worthwhile for the players, coaches, and families.

Tacoma Language Academy update

Back at home, the host has been building classes and resources for Tacoma Language Academy. The academy offers a free Spanish placement quiz, private lessons, live courses, and a free independent course called Start Here.

The first session of Spanish Chat Club took place this week. The class is designed for intermediate learners who want an hour of guided Spanish conversation in a small-group setting.

Spanish Story Lab begins July 28 and runs for four sessions. Students build a story together and work with understandable Spanish through listening, reading, and interaction. A planned summer Spanish Language Accelerator did not fill, so the host plans to try the longer course again in the fall.

Learn more or take the free placement quiz at tacomalanguageacademy.com.

Examples of the story-based approach are available at listenreadinteract.com.

Programming, AI, and compulsive tools

The host reflects on six years of programming and on using AI to help build Tacoma Language Academy. AI has been useful for reasoning through database structure, application features, and other technical decisions, even when it misunderstands instructions or produces unreliable answers.

At the same time, the technology can feel strangely compulsive, similar to social media. The host considers whether it would be better to spend more time reasoning through ideas independently before asking a model to help implement them.

The discussion ends somewhere between doom and gloom and rose-colored glasses. AI may produce useful changes, harmful changes, or a mixture of both. It may also become a normal part of the way people interact with their personal computers.

A truck from childhood

While looking through local event listings, the host spots a photograph of a Chevrolet C10 that looks like a cleaner version of his father's old truck. The image brings back memories of riding beside his father, the old radio, the pedals, the worn interior, and the rust holes in the floor.

Events at the fairgrounds

The 14th Annual Car Show 4 Kids takes place Saturday, July 18, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Gold Gate of the Washington State Fairgrounds. The event supports children and families affected by pediatric brain tumors and includes cars, motorcycles, trophies, prizes, vendors, food trucks, and family activities.

The Revolution Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament also takes place at the fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19. Doors open at 8:00 AM, with the first matches beginning at 9:00 AM.

Value for value

Podyallup is a value-for-value show. Listeners receive the episode first and are invited to send value back if they found something useful, entertaining, or meaningful.

Listeners can contribute by donating, sharing the show, or sending a local story, family history, community update, or other idea that might belong in a future episode.

To support the show, visit podyallup.com/donate.

To send a story or message for the show, email andrew@podyallup.com.

Closing

The episode closes with thanks to everyone who listens and everyone who has supported the show. New episodes of Podyallup release every Friday.