Gil Thorp by Henry Barajas and Rachel Merrill for August 12, 2016

As Kevin Pelwecki makes a fine debut in the strip by punching a Tilden player in the nuts …

Watch it, Gil. Barry’s hand is dangerously close your “GIL” mug.

Barry appears to be speaking with a nasal twang.

For Kevin to really do the job, he’ll have to brag about how well he did after the loss.

From that scar on Tru(e)‘s face are we really sure he wasn’t driving the pickup?

Is Young Master Bader trying to get back in Gil’s good graces by giving him a handy in P3?

In all reality , Barry replies To be or not to be etc, etc, etc, tell you what Coach I’ll get back to you. Oh, by the way when does football practice start ? With my hand strength and sticky hands I’m a shoe in for All State receiver , going to take a quick shower now, Bye .

Two weeks from the start of the HS football season, and last spring’s sports are still going on.

I love Friday. Today’s strip has it all. New character introduced, Milford Masterpiece Theatre Mask, return of the GIL mug and Young Bader expressing how large the kielbasa’s are at the Central City German Polkafest.

Seems the emotional stress is bringing out the rosacea on young Bader. Either that or it is Halloween & he’s working on his Karl Malden costume.

I get the feeling in P3 that Gil is playing it coy because he’s not sure who he’s talking to. And just for the record, given the inconsistent artwork, I’m not sure who he’s talking to.

Even the LLWS will be over before this story line.

Don’t worry about it, Barry. There are worse fates than being kicked off a high school baseball team in mid-August. For instance, ask your Dad about the time he dropped the soap, when he comes home in another 20 years.

@Ravenswing: BRAVO, my nominee for post of the month.P-1: a double tap: mitt then knee, a double play the runner is out on the field and out of the game.P-2: Tru’s wearing his Mime make-up. He’s speechless.P-3: Gil asks a legitimate question. MB do you want to be part of the team or are you auditioning for the part of Sam Katchem (sp?) in Dick Tracey?

Once again, Big Ken Brown has failed to make things happen, and it’s getting to him.

Too bad Pelwecki wasn’t shown on the bus, crowing about getting two hits and two ribbies.

P3…Goober talks to Andy…

P1 – Yeah, so after a couple days of making a big deal about Bader not showing up and his backup not making the game either, they just throw in this Kevin guy and he plays just fine. So what was the point in having that “I have to take my mom to the doctor so I’ll miss the game?” Was the point just to waste a day or two of strips? P3 – Why does Bader care? Didn’t he decide to quit since nobody wanted him? And I’ve seen that pose and look from Gil before, and it usually isn’t good for the person in his office. And speaking of posing, today’s Mopped Up Thorp is posing as a source of internet humor.

@ELLISBURKES: Not the arc! Then there’d have to be two of him!!

I know its late and no one will see this but have we ever had ‘exploding nose syndrome’ before?