Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 151

For SF Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, comfort is key to hot start

SAN FRANCISCO — The source of Jung Hoo Lee’s hot start cannot be found in film or stats .

Visually, his mechanics are the same as when he arrived from Korea. Statistically, his identity as a ball player remains the same: a low-walk, low-strikeout, contact-oriented hitter with elite bat-to-ball skills. For Lee, the key to his hot start lies in a luxury only afforded by time.

“It’s all about the comfort level here in the clubhouse and on the field,” Lee told this news organization through team interpreter Justin Han. “I got to know all the guys and I’m close to everybody. It just makes everything easier. I know what to expect, and that’s the biggest difference.”

Lee, who’s hitting .315 with an MLB-leading 10 doubles, didn’t consider his first year with the Giants to be overwhelming, though he did joke that “it’s hard to drive over here in the city” because of San Francisco’s numerous one-way roads.

That said, Lee effectively uprooted his life after he signed a six-year, $113 million deal with the Giants. New team and teammates. New manager and coaches. New country and new culture. New language and customs. And before playing a game, he became a face of the franchise.

“If I ever had to go to Japan or go play winter ball — you realize what they have to go through,” said manager Bob Melvin. “Teams do the best they can to get guys to acclimate, but easier said than done. Especially the guys that come over from Asia. It’s a completely different lifestyle.”

Lee’s rookie season ended after 37 games due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder, but his first year with the Giants allowed him to learn the ebbs and flows of a major-league season in America. Once Lee was out of his sling, Lee and Han were constant presences in the dugout at home and on the road . To Melvin, that was time well spent.

“His first year, learning not only a new league but living in a (new) country and learning a language, there’s so much thrown at these guys. He was way more comfortable this year from the start of spring training just being in the States and being with his team,” Melvin said.

“He saw enough last year to kind of know what to expect,” said hitting coach Pat Burrell. “I couldn’t agree more with Bob. Missing that much time, of course there’s a concern, but he’s such an amazing athlete, he just bounces right back after that surgery and doesn’t miss a beat. Actually, I think he looks better than he did in terms of the freedom of his swing. I think he looks more comfortable in the box in general. It’s fun to watch. I think he’s opening some eyes out there.”

Roughly a month into his sophomore season, the 26-year-old has opened plenty of eyes.

Entering Wednesday, Lee’s 1.3 wins above replacement (per FanGraphs) ranks ninth in all of baseball. He hit three homers in three games against the Yankees, two of which were against Carlos Rodón in the last game of the series. Less than 25 games into the season, he has already eclipsed last year’s totals in runs (20), doubles (10), triples (two), home runs (three), RBIs (15) and steals (three).

“It’s hand-eye coordination. I think he sees the ball extremely well,” Burrell said. “He makes unbelievable decisions. His takes are under control. He’s not in a hurry. I think deep down, he really believes in himself. I think that’s a big one.”

The early success is all the more impressive given his first season was over before the end of May. As Justin Verlander can attest, returning from a season-ending injury requires fending off doubt.

“You just have to fight it,” said Verlander, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and missed all of 2021. “You have to trust the process. In my case, the rehab was going really well and there would be some small things that would creep up. You just got to remind yourself, ‘This is normal and not every day is going to be a great day.’ The only thing that really puts your mind at ease is performing — going out there and trusting it and letting it happen. Then, once that happens, you forget about it.”

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If Lee has any lingering concern, he’s certainly not showing it.

Lee, by far, garners the most media attention of any Giant when accounting for both American and Korean outlets, no surprise given he owns the largest deal ever signed by a Korean free agent. Along with the Jung Hoo Crew, a creation of the Giants themselves, an independent group called the “Hoo Lee Gans” made an appearance during the last homestand. Every time Lee steps to the plate, he’s showered with chants of “Jung! Hoo! Lee!” For all his popularity, Lee says he doesn’t feel pressure.

“It’s a responsibility that I show the results given the money I got from the team. I also feel if I leave a good impression here, it can give more chances to players back in the KBO to come over and play,” Lee said.

Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski questionable for Game 2 vs. Rockets

HOUSTON – Golden State could be down a starter for Game 2 of its first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets. 

Brandin Podziemski participated in Wednesday’s pregame shootaround and was later listed as questionable with an illness on the injury report. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Podziemski will go through warmups before the team makes a decision. 

“He wasn’t feeling well, probably something he ate, and not contagious,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “There’s no risk to anybody else if he plays.”

Podziemski scored 14 points and was a team-best plus-17 in the Warriors’ 95-85 Game 1 victory in the Toyota Center. The Santa Clara alum also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in a game where Houston outrebounded Golden State 52-36. 

He has been the team’s regular starter since Feb. 13, a few days after the Warriors made their blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler. The second-year shooting guard has averaged 11.7 points per game this season. 

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After shooting struggles and an abdominal injury early this season, Podziemski stabilized and returned to the scoring form he flashed in his rookie season last year. He averaged 14.9 points per game in the regular season after returning from an abdominal strain in January, including 41.2 percent shooting on 3-pointers.

If he misses Wednesday’s game, the Warriors could use more of Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II and Moses Moody to cover Podziemski’s minutes.

College baseball: CSUMB defensive gem goes viral

SEASIDE – It’s a situation that KW Quilici has practiced numerous times, as well as envisioned — utilizing his 6-foot-5 frame to scale the outfield fence and turn a home run trot into a walk back to the dugout.

So, when the baseball began to soar last week, the Cal State Monterey Bay center fielder had a plan of action, even if it wasn’t his initial thought.

“From the get-go, you go ‘oh no,’” CSUMB baseball coach Walt White said. “You watch your outfielder’s reaction. Usually a second glance at the fence means you’re in trouble.”

This time it meant Quilici was about to launch himself up the outfield fence, with arguably the catch, or robbery, of the year in baseball – at any level.

CSUMB outfielder KW Quilici. (CSUMB athletics)

“When the ball is hit that high in our park, one of two things is going to occur,” Quilici said. “Either it will be a routine catch or the ball will pick up in the wind and push a little bit. As I was running, my brain was kind of calculating it would be a little further than the fence would be.”

Over three million viewers have watched a replay of Quilici climb the Otters’ 10-foot fence like Spiderman, scaling above it to reach up with his glove to take a home run away last week against San Marcos. To watch the video click (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXhHTZe7ylc)

“I’m not a social media kind of guy,” Quilici said. “Usually when I find something about myself, it’s from someone else. My mom saw it first from our videographer. I went out to dinner that night and people were asking ‘yo are you the guy that made that catch?'”

The play last week put the 225-pound Preseason Division II All-America and the Otters program into the national spotlight as it was seen on ESPN.

“I didn’t sleep well that night,” Quilici said. “It’s surreal.”

Quilici, who was named to the NCBWA All-West Region first team last year, is a polished defensive player, having handled 158 of 161 chances in center field.

Those dynamics were on display last weekend when Quilici read the ball off the bat of a San Marcos player, calmly making his way toward the fence.

“In the video I took my (eye) off the ball three times,” Quilici said. “The first time is an initial read. The second one I’m at the warning track. After the third, I decided to climb. I think I can get there.’’

Rather than watch the ball sail over the fence, the senior hit the warning track in stride before sinking his right cleat into the fence, using his right arm to lift him above it.

For what seemed like an eternity, Quilici held that position before taking his left glove above the 10-foot fence and reaching up to bring the ball back into play.

“As he is going up against the wall, you hear the other dugout say that’s way out of here,” White said. “All of a sudden it’s in his glove.”

Holding his glove in the air a split second longer to show he had it, Quilici leaped down from the fence before running back to a group of teammates, with a larger-than-life grin.

“My Achilles heel is people have felt I’m not the greatest defensive outfielder,” Quilici said. “Usually when you see a 6-5 guy, you’re not thinking he’s a centerfielder. I have so much trust and belief in myself, that I’m best athlete out there.”

At the time of the catch, the Otters actually held a 2-1 lead on the strength of a Quilici home run hit earlier in the game.

“It’s probably the best catch I’ve seen in person,” said White, who has been involved in the sport for three decades and spent time in the Miami Marlins organization as a player. “To get up that high and track it.”

White wasn’t the only individual in the video of the catch.  Third baseman Jacob Dressler can be seen putting his hands on his head in disbelief.

“I have practiced that moment for hours,” said Quilici, who took a home run away earlier this at Cal Poly, Pomona. “There are no adjustments once you’re climbing the fence. I just hoped I picked the right spot.”

Hitting in the heart of the order, Quilici, who is from Alameda, has put together a big year at the plate for CSUMB, hitting a team high .394 with 10 homers and 34 runs batted in.

The left-handed swinging Quilici, whose numbers could warrant attention in July’s MLB Amateur Draft, has a team-high 67 hits, while scoring 45 runs for the Otters, who sit a game out of first place in their bid to four-peat as conference champions.

“If baseball were to continue for me after this year, it’s a great way to get my name out there,” said Quilici, a math major who wants to be an engineer. “Right now, I’m just trying to make this season the most magical.”

Horoscopes April 23, 2025: Dev Patel, embrace this year with passion

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Dev Patel, 35; Jaime King, 46; Jonathan Ruckman, 56; George Lopez, 64.

Happy Birthday: Embrace this year with enthusiasm and passion. Choose to be a participant rather than a bystander. Refuse to be a victim or attach yourself to something you don’t enjoy or a lifestyle that leaves you feeling cheated. Make choices that help you turn your dreams into a reality. Discontentment solves nothing if you aren’t willing to take control and initiate positive change. Choose to take responsibility for your happiness. Your numbers are 6, 13, 22, 27, 30, 36, 42.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look for alternatives when facing negativity or disappointment. A backup plan will offer peace of mind and ensure you won’t lose time or your reputation. The risk of insult or injury is apparent if you participate in controversial events or activities. Patience, precision and a positive attitude are necessary. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Make a to-do list and embark on taking care of business and freeing up time to nurture yourself and meaningful relationships. Refuse to let anyone exploit you or bait you into a no-win situation. A positive attitude and willpower will help you outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Do the groundwork and avoid conflict. Today, take time to prepare and look out for yourself. Refuse to let the changes others make confuse or disrupt your agenda. Put a plan in place and finish what you start. Learn from experience and keep your documents, living space and responsibilities in order. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Stop talking and start doing. Your words will have no merit if you are all talk and no play. Review your routines, lifestyle and health, and make changes that give you promise and hope for a brighter future. Obliterate bad habits and replace them with proper diet, exercise and a positive attitude. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Refuse to get upset over nothing. If you don’t like what’s happening, do something about it. Complaining won’t help, but actions and enforcing the changes that can improve your life will help you get results and gain respect. Communication, research and the path that soothes your soul is favored. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Detail, precision and an affordable budget will produce positive results. Refuse to let anyone talk you into overdoing or overspending. Question and verify the information you receive. Changing how, where or with whom you live will result in peace of mind and a more manageable lifestyle. Personal gain and self-improvement are favored. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Reiterate your plans to anyone affected by your choices before you begin. It’s best to get approval to avoid bailouts or setbacks. Stick to facts and question any information you receive that sounds far-fetched. It’s nice to give a picturesque adaptation, but don’t promise the impossible. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take time to acquaint yourself with people of interest. Focus your energy on lively discussions that touch on topics that can enhance how you live and use your skills or what you choose to do next. Getting closer to someone who can assist you will encourage a joint venture. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Note how others react. What you hear and see will show discrepancies that you should address before you work side by side with someone. Tally up what things cost before you agree to an offer or hire someone for home repairs. A financial gain is apparent, but so is overspending. Easy come, easy go. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep personal information to yourself. Someone will twist your words or mislead you if you aren’t specific. Changing your location, attending an event or starting a new activity will boost your confidence and encourage you to make a positive change. Establishing how you feel and what you want is in your best interest. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Concentrate on your health and well-being. Physical activities will help you blow off steam that you might otherwise direct at someone close to you. Protect your reputation and choose to keep your thoughts to yourself. Update your skills to ensure you can keep up in a competitive market. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Cap your spending, simplify your life and eliminate things you no longer need, want or use. Open up your space, free yourself of debris and clutter, and make room for what matters most. Rethink what brings you joy, and take responsibility for your happiness. Share your thoughts, plans and feelings with someone you love. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are determined, helpful and possessive. You are influential and suggestive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

SF Giants fall to 0-2 in new City Connects with blowout loss to Brewers

SAN FRANCISCO — The first iteration of the Giants’ City Connect uniforms weren’t an instant hit, but they won over fans by winning in them. Safe to say, the black, orange and purple “Remix” versions unveiled this season will have to survive on style alone.

The Giants certainly weren’t winning any style points with their play Tuesday in an 11-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

They committed a pair of errors and allowed the Brewers to bat around in an eight-run sixth inning while falling to 0-2 in their new alternate threads, which they’ll continue to wear for each Tuesday home game. They started 6-0 in the former creamsicle version and went 30-16 overall.

The Giants also lost for the third straight time behind Jordan Hicks, who was charged with six of the runs (five earned) while allowing eight hits and issuing three walks, raising his ERA to 6.59. Five more went on the line of Lou Trivino, who served up a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, after relieving Hicks.

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin pulls San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) from the game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

“We didn’t play great defense behind him,” manager Bob Melvin said of Hicks, who fell to 1-3. “I don’t think he threw the ball badly. Had good velo, good breaking stuff at times. That one inning got away from us completely. But we didn’t play good defense, either.”

The Brewers didn’t hit a ball further than 201 feet in the air until Sal Frelick flew out for the second out of the third inning, but they dinked, dunked, sliced and diced Hicks to the tune of six hits and an early 3-0 lead. Caleb Durbin, the No. 9 hitter, got things started by poking a leadoff double just inside first base, and William Contreras came through with the biggest knock, shooting a ground ball past Matt Chapman with runners on second and third who both scored.

“That’s the kind of team they are,” Hicks said. “They don’t strike out much, but they put the ball in play and they found the holes today. … Just a tough one.”

Milwaukee blew the game open after Melvin sent Hicks out for the sixth inning after already laboring through five on 90 pitches. He didn’t record another out, through little fault of his own. The leadoff man, Jake Bauers, reached on an infield single. Willy Adames’ throw pulled David Villar off the bag on another ground ball, giving Milwaukee runners at first and second. And then Patrick Bailey let a ball squirt away from him and fired it into right field attempting to pick off the trailing runner.

The Giants had been the last team left in the majors without a multi-error game, but that streak came to an end with errant throws by Adames and Bailey.

“We’ve been really good defensively,” Melvin said. “When you have innings like that where you’re not, it can tend to get away from you a little bit.”

Melvin made a beeline for the mound after Hicks issued his fourth ball to the third batter of the inning on his 105th pitch of the night, and the Giants trailed 11-1 by the time Spencer Bivens recorded the third out of the inning. Christian Yelich delivered the knockout blow with a grand slam to straightaway center off Trivino, and Bauers piled on with a two-run shot in his second plate appearance of the inning.

San Francisco Giants’ Tyler Fitzgerald (49) fields a ball in front of San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames (2) on a ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Jackson Chourio (11) in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francsco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Chourio was safe at first. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Hicks missed low with back-to-back splitters after getting two strikes on his final batter, and he said, “I feel like if I just execute the splitter there, it’s a whole different ballgame. But it got away from me and things started to unravel a little bit.”

Since tossing six shutout innings in his first start of the season, Hicks has surrendered at least three runs and six hits each time he’s taken the mound, allowing opponents to hit .318 while posting an 8.44 ERA over his past four starts.

“The stuff is good,” Melvin said. “He’s just finding period where he lets it get away from him a little bit. They put some pretty good at-bats on him, too, especially in the third inning, hitting the ball the other away, not trying to pull him — that’s when you hit him on the ground.”

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The 11 runs amounted to the most the Giants have allowed in a game this season. The eight-spot the Brewers put up in the sixth inning were more than any team has scored on San Francisco’s pitching staff in 21 of their prior 23 games entering Tuesday night.

With the left-hander Jose Quintana going for the Brewers, David Villar got his second start since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento and drove a double to right field in his first at-bat to lead off the bottom of the third. Tyler Fitzgerald shattered his bat and snuck another hit into the opposite field to drive him home, making it 3-1.

That was all the Giants would muster against Quintana, who hasn’t allowed more than one run in any of his first three starts (0.96 ERA).

After delivering the go-ahead home run in Monday night’s win, Wilmer Flores reached base in all four of his trips to the plate and knocked in Jung Hoo Lee to cut the deficit to 11-3 for his 25th RBI of the season, tied with Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker and Pete Alonso for the MLB lead. That was just one of two hits the Giants produced in 10 chances with runners in scoring position, stranding seven on base.

Southpaws continue to be a source of trouble for the Giants, who fell to 2-7 when facing a left-handed starting pitcher — opposed to 13-2 vs. righties.

San Francisco Giants’ Tyler Fitzgerald (49) hits an RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ David Villar (32) tosses to first base on a ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Sal Frelick (10) in the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Frelick was out at first. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee (51) is brushed back by a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) throws to first for an out on a ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Vinny Capra (18) in the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin argues with home plate umpire Alan Porter during the Giants game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Tyler Fitzgerald (49) throws to first base in front of San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames (2) on a ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers’ Jackson Chourio (11) in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francsco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Chourio was safe at first. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers (9) celebrates his two-run home run with Milwaukee Brewers’ Sal Frelick (10) against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss (50) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Lou Trivino (56) leaves the field after giving up a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Francisco Giants’ Luis Matos (29) hits into a double play against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Former San Francisco Giants Hunter Pence throws out a first pitch before the Giants game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Show Caption1 of 14San Francisco Giants’ Tyler Fitzgerald (49) hits an RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Expand

Best folding table

Which folding tables are best?

A folding table is an inexpensive and convenient helper. You can quickly set it up for a special event, then fold it and store it away for another time. Whether you need one for tailgating, to add more seating for a holiday dinner, or to gain more flat surface space for work or a hobby, it’s helpful to know which folding tables have the materials and features that best meet your needs.

Our top choice, the National Public Seating BT3000 Series Plastic Top Folding Table, offers sturdy, reliable construction and easy setup at a reasonable price.

What to know before you buy a folding tableMaterials

Folding tables have a variety of tabletop materials that vary in durability and price.

Particleboard folding tables

Pros: These are usually the least expensive and are best for light use and lightweight items.

Cons: They’re not very durable and can’t hold very much weight.

Plywood folding tables

Pros: These hold up to heavier use, as they’re more durable and sturdier than particleboard.

Cons: Because they’re made from wood, they can splinter and crack.

Plastic folding tables

Pros: These are often very affordable, durable, and weather-resistant with easy-clean coatings.

Cons: They’re not heat-resistant, so be careful about placing hot foods and items on the tabletop.

Aluminum folding tables

Pros: They’re light and strong, highly durable, weather-resistant and clean up easily.

Cons: They’re more expensive and are prone to scratching.

Size

Choosing a folding table size depends on your purpose and how many people you need to seat. Round and square folding tables can usually seat four to six people. Rectangular folding tables are a better choice if you need seating for larger groups. Depending on size, rectangular folding tables can seat up to 10 people.

Shape

Standard shapes for folding tables are round, square and rectangular. They are sometimes available in nonstandard shapes, such as half-rounds.

Square and rectangular folding tables can be pushed together to create more seating, expand a work area or serve as buffet or bar tables. Half-round tables can work great against a wall to hold items and offer curved edges. Round folding tables often work best for meals and socializing.

Weight capacity

Look at a folding table’s weight capacity. If you’re planning to use it to hold heavier items, the more weight it can hold, the better. Some hold as much as 500-1,000 pounds.

What to look for in a quality folding tableFrame gauge

Steel frames that support folding table tops have varying gauges. For sufficient strength and durability, check that the folding table you’re considering has at least an 18-gauge steel frame.

Portability

For easier portability, look for a folding table that weighs under 50 pounds. Some come with a built-in carrying handle, which is ideal for tables that are moved often.

Locking and adjustable legs

Locking legs are a great safety feature that makes a folding table more secure and stable. Some folding tables have adjustable legs to alter the table’s height, usually from 21-32 inches.

How much you can expect to spend on a folding table

The price for a folding table varies widely based on the material and size, but you can generally expect to spend between $40 and $100 on average.

Folding table FAQWhich folding table material is best for outdoor use?

A. Plastic folding tables are typically the best options for picnics, tailgating and other outdoor events because they’re water-resistant, easy to clean and highly portable.

Which folding table is less expensive, wooden or plastic?

A. Often, plastic tables are less expensive than wooden tables. Regardless of tabletop material, stronger tables tend to contain more metal parts and are more expensive.

How much weight can plastic folding tables hold?

A. Some plastic folding tables can hold as much as 1,000-2,000 pounds. Check the weight capacity for the plastic folding table you’re considering to make sure it can accommodate the weight of the items you’ll need it to hold.

How much space should I allow when setting up multiple folding tables?

A. When setting up multiple folding tables, allow at least 48-60 inches between each table so there’s enough space for people to move around and between them.

What’s the best folding table to buy?Top folding table

National Public Seating BT3000 Series Plastic Top Folding Table

What you need to know: This durable folding table offers rugged features at an affordable price and is backed by a 10-year warranty.

What you’ll love: The tabletop is made of solid plastic and has UV protection. Its 18-gauge steel frame can hold 1,000 pounds, and it’s easy to set up and fold.

What you should consider: With its textured tabletop, it may take more effort to clean.

Top folding table for the money

Office Star Resin Multipurpose Folding Table

What you need to know: This 6-foot rectangular model is a high-quality table with great features for a reasonable price.

What you’ll love: This table is waterproof, stainproof and easy to clean. It’s also scratch- and impact-resistant. It comes with a built-in carrying handle, making it easy to move and set up. This table is an excellent choice for indoor or outdoor use.

What you should consider: The weight capacity is 300 pounds, which is less than some other models.

Worth checking out

Lifetime 8-foot Fold in Half Table

What you need to know: This high-density, polyethylene, 8-foot banquet table has impact-resistant corners for strength and durability.

What you’ll love: It weighs 38 pounds, folds easily and has a carrying handle. It holds up to 300 pounds.

What you should consider: Its size makes it awkward to move.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Bryce Eldridge, SF Giants’ top prospect, makes big first impression in 2025

SAN FRANCISCO — Delayed by a wrist injury to start the season, Bryce Eldridge didn’t waste any time making up for lost time.

The Giants’ 20-year-old top prospect made his season debut for Double-A Richmond on Tuesday and homered in his first at-bat. Batting cleanup, the 6-foot-7 first baseman led off the second inning by using his left-handed swing to deposit a low-and-away breaking ball over the right-center field wall.

“All right, well, get him here now,” manager Bob Melvin joked before the big-league club hosted the Milwaukee Brewers.

Eldridge’s home run happened moments before the manager took his seat in the dugout for his pregame media session, and Melvin watched it for the first time on a reporter’s phone. He looked up before the highlight was over. “I don’t need to see where it landed,” he said.

The ball easily cleared the wall and landed in the Flying Squirrels’ bullpen, but Melvin is already acquainted with the prodigious power of the club’s 2022 first-round draft pick. Invited to major-league spring training for the first time this year, Eldridge made a similar first impression, homering in his second at-bat.

Eldridge, however, was slowed after that by inflammation in his wrist, which resulted in him remaining in Arizona for extending spring training.

It wasn’t a given that Eldridge would begin the season at Double-A after he advanced through four levels in 2024 and ended the year at Triple-A Sacramento. When the regular season was over, he was assigned to the Arizona Fall League but was shut down after 10 games.

Eldridge hit .291/.374/.516 with 23 home runs in 446 at-bats across all levels in 2024 but only reached Richmond during the final month of the season, playing all but 15 of his 116 games for Single-A San Jose and High-A Eugene.

As far as when he could arrive in San Francisco, Melvin said, “We’ll take a hard look at him and hope he gets off to a good start, does his thing and see where it goes from there.” Moments later, the manager watched the clip of Eldridge going deep. Not a bad start.

“Let’s see how his second at-bat goes,” Melvin cracked.

Considered the No. 11 prospect in the sport by Baseball America and No. 22 by MLB.com, Eldridge’s arrival has been highly anticipated ever since the ball jumped off his bat during his rookie league debut months after the Giants drafted him 16th overall as a prep two-way player.

The Giants have gotten some of the least production in the majors out of first base so far this season, but Melvin expressed confidence that LaMonte Wade Jr. would turn it around. Their first basemen have been the sixth-least valuable of any team, led by Wade, who entered Tuesday batting .103 with a .473 OPS.

The designated hitter spot is more settled, with Wilmer Flores among the league leaders in home runs (7) and RBIs (24).

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“I do believe LaMonte’s going to pick it up, and we’ve gotten good production out of Flo,” Melvin said. “(Eldridge) is going to have to perform to get here, and that’s something Buster (Posey, the president of baseball operations) has stated.”

The assignment for Eldridge is threefold: Get more seasoning in the upper levels of the minor leagues, first and foremost. Improve his defense at first base, where he only began to play in the pros and is still considered a below average fielder. And cut down on his strikeouts after whiffing at a 25% rate in 2024.

“I think he’s going to surprise some people with his hit ability; he’s got a really short swing,” Randy Winn, the Giants’ director of player development, said last month of the expectations for the club’s top prospect this year. “I just want him to continue to improve in all facets of the game. The mental side of it, as well.

“How do you deal with failure? How do you hit in certain situations? How do you hit if somebody is pitching around you? How do you hit if you’re not feeling great? Those are all the things that he’s got to learn, but you can only learn that with more reps.”

NYC mayor and Trump border czar tout charges against 27 people in Tren de Aragua case

By PHILIP MARCELO

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s border czar joined New York City’s mayor on Tuesday to tout new federal charges against 27 people accused of being Tren de Aragua gang members and associates.

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The joint announcement is the latest example of the close ties between Mayor Eric Adams and the Trump administration, which recently dropped federal corruption charges against the Democrat so he could better focus on the Republican president’s immigration priorities. Adams is now running for reelection as an independent.

Trump, in his nationwide immigration crackdown, has labeled Tren de Aragua an invading force as he invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a little-used authority from 1798 that allows the president to deport any noncitizen during wartime.

“Every member of TDA should be on the run,” declared Thomas Homan, Trump’s border czar, referring to the initials of the gang, which originated in Venezuela more than a decade ago and has been linked to a series of kidnappings, extortion and other crimes throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Adams’ administration recently announced that it would let federal immigration officials operate at the city’s Rikers Island jail complex — and Homan used the news briefing to take a swipe at a City Council lawsuit seeking to stop the plan.

“This is what collaboration looks like,” he said. “I never asked the city or the NYPD to be immigration officers. I asked them to work with us on significant public safety threats and national security threats, and that’s what we’re committed to doing.”

A New York judge ordered city officials on Monday to temporarily halt the plan, which would let Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies establish offices at the massive lockup, until an April 25 hearing on the suit.

Adams said Tuesday’s announcement showed he remains “unapologetic” in his desire to rid the city’s streets of violent immigrant gangs.

“The question that we must answer is whose side are you on?” the Democrat said. “Are you on the side of those who are carrying these illegal guns, wreaking havoc, sex trafficking, harming innocent people regardless of their documentation, or are you on the side of hardworking New Yorkers and Americans? I’m clear on which side I’m on.”

Manhattan prosecutors say the case is the first to bring federal racketeering charges, which were famously used to bring down the Mafia, against the Venezuelan street gang. The more than two dozen accused also face charges including sex trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery, and firearms possession.

Prosecutors said those arrested smuggled young women from Venezuela into Peru and the U.S. The women, who they referred to as “multadas,” paid off their debts through prostitution and were threatened with violence and death.

The gang members also committed armed robberies and smuggled illegal drugs, including a substance called “tusi” that contains ketamine, prosecutors said.

Of the 27 charged, 21 are in custody, including five arrested Monday and Tuesday in operations in New York and elsewhere, they said. Six others remain at large.

The charges are broken out into two separate indictments, one for six alleged members of Tren de Aragua and the other charging 19 alleged members of “Anti-Tren,” a splinter faction made up of former Tren members.

Among those named in Tuesday’s indictment was Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, who was among those arrested back in January in the Bronx during some of the Trump administration’s first efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement in the city.

Authorities say the 26-year-old was part of a group of heavily armed men seen in a now-viral video forcing their way into an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, raising fears that Tren de Aragua was in control of the rundown complex in the Denver suburbs.

Zambrano-Pacheco’s lawyer didn’t immediately comment Tuesday.

FILE – New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.,File)

Adams rejected the notion that many of those apprehended by immigration and law enforcement officials in recent months are otherwise law-abiding people.

“The American dream is not armed robbery. The American dream is not discharging guns. The American dream is not shooting at police officers. The American dream is not going into homeless shelters and taking the documentation from innocent people and forcing them into sex trafficking,” he said. “That’s not the American dream, and we’re not going to be a safe harbor for criminals.”

Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.

Minnesota attorney general files preemptive lawsuit against Trump on transgender sports ban

By STEVE KARNOWSKI

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a preemptive lawsuit Tuesday against Republican President Donald Trump seeking to block his administration from acting against Minnesota in the way it’s taking on Maine under a federal push to ban transgender athletes from girls and women’s sports.

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“Minnesota brings this lawsuit to stop President Trump and his administration from bullying vulnerable children in this state,” Ellison said at a news conference, quoting the opening line from the lawsuit naming Trump and his attorney general, Pam Bondi.

When Bondi announced the administration’s lawsuit against Maine last week, she warned that Minnesota and California could be next. The administration’s lawsuit followed weeks of feuding between Trump and Democratic Gov. Janet Mill of Maine that led to a clash at the White House when she told Trump, “We’ll see you in court.”

With this case, Ellison is trying to beat Trump and Bondi to the courthouse.

The federal lawsuit asks the court to declare Trump’s two executive orders on the matter — and letters that the Justice Department has sent to Minnesota threatening to cut off education funding if the state doesn’t comply — unconstitutional and bar their enforcement. Ellison told reporters that the orders violate the constitutional separation of powers by usurping Congress’ authority to legislate. He said the orders also violate the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funds.

The Minnesota Human Rights Act has protected transgender rights since 1993, and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation in 2023 making the state a refuge for transgender children coming from other states for gender-affirming care. Ellison issued a formal legal opinion in February that said the state’s human rights protections supersede Trump’s exective order on sports, and the attorney general said his guidance is legally binding in Minnesota unless a court rules otherwise.

“Trump’s burning desire to destroy trans kids and punish us for helping them live and thrive isn’t just a violation of law, it’s a violation of Minnesota values,” Ellison said. “And we’re not going to sell out trans kids or any vulnerable community just to stay in the good graces of a lawless administration.”

The White House and Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

But the top Republican in state government, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, backed Trump’s position.

“It’s extremely disappointing that Attorney General Ellison would rather risk federal funding and file yet another taxpayer-funded lawsuit against the Trump administration than simply do the right thing and keep boys out of girls sports,” Demuth said in a statement. “It’s a waste of taxpayer money to further a political agenda that makes girls less safe and makes sports less fair.”

Ellison was joined at his news conference by parents of transgender children and human rights activists, incuding state Rep. Leigh Finke of St. Paul, Minnesota’s first openly transgender legislator. Addressing Trump and his supporters, Finke said LGBTQ+ people have always existed in every culture throughout history.

“No law, no policy, no hate-fueled campaign will ever change that. So I’m asking you to just please stop trying,” Finke said. “To those of you in that world who still are capable of hearing from those of us outside of it, understand this: All that we ask is to be left in peace, to live and love and without fear.”

Dr. Kelsey Leonardsmith, who treats transgender children from several states at the Family Tree Clinic in Minneapolis, and is a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, said transgender girls and women are already underrepresented in sports and make up just a tiny percentage of student athletes. She disputed the contention of critics that allowing them to participate in girls sports gives them unfair advantages and puts other girls in physical danger.

“Shutting out trans girls helps no one, and it is profoundly harmful to those it excludes,” Leonardsmith said. “On the surface, it removes opportunities for physical activity, for fitness, for belonging. But on a more fundamental level, it says to trans youth, ‘We do not believe you, you are not real,’ and it is hard to imagine a more damaging message to send to children.”

Warriors looking to pick up the pace against old-school Rockets in Game 2

HOUSTON – In a matchup whose first game was defined by defensive caginess and stilted offensive sequences, Warriors coach Steve Kerr used a term often used in soccer – a sport where every point is prized – to describe the team’s philosophy against the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference first-round playoff series. 

“This whole series to me is about the possession game,” Kerr said on Tuesday morning. “They’re going to attack the glass, but if we can win the turnover battle, that gives us a good chance.”

Seventh-seeded Golden State cut off the Rockets’ lethal fast-break in Sunday’s 95-85 victory, holding Houston and its springy athletes to just four points in the open court and ripping homecourt advantage away from the No. 2 seed. 

The teams will play Game 2 on Wednesday. 

Kerr noted that having only 11 turnovers helped Golden State put a damper on Houston’s go-go-go style of play, and said that three of those were shot clock violations, which did not allow Houston to run in transition while Steph Curry poured in 31 points.

“It’s about being poised, executing and keeping them from the easy stuff,” Kerr said. “Free throws, transition layups and all that easy stuff.”

While hoping to force Houston’s stop-and-start offense to execute in the half court, the Warriors – despite having stars that are in their mid-30s – will look to push the tempo in Game 2.

“I think we’re fine in the half court, but we want to run and get easy baskets,” Kerr said.

Golden State had 16 fast-break points, but were just 20th in the regular season in transition points at 14.5 per game. 

Successfully shifting to a higher gear than normal involves grabbing defensive rebounds, something the team struggled to do in the opener. Houston had 22 offensive boards and outrebounded Golden State 52-36.

“It really wasn’t about boxing out,” Kerr said. “I thought that for most of the game, we were battling and guys were hitting bodies, and I thought there were a few that we didn’t grab with two hands.”

The team’s best rebounder, Kevon Looney, said that the Warriors know what they need to do.

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“We’ve got to be better,” Looney said. “I think we’ve been a pretty good rebounding team all season, and I think they beat us to a lot of 50-50 balls, and they’ve got a lot of athletic guys, big guys, and they missed a lot of shots, too. We have to be better at winning the small battles.”

One possible tweak could be playing a twin tower lineup of Quinten Post and Looney, especially when the Rockets go double-big with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. 

“We like it because Loon is our best rebounder and Quinten is one of our best shooters,” Kerr said. “So we’re able to space the floor against them with those two big guys, and present a little bit more size, actually the most size we possibly can.”

No matter what lineup the Warriors throw out on Wednesday, they expect Houston to play with desperation only a team facing a 2-0 deficit and a trip to Chase Center can muster. 

“Oh there’s going to be a fight, we know that,” Kerr said. ”I mean, hopefully not literally, but figuratively. They’re a tough, physical defensive-minded team, a great team and they’re bringing it. And we’ve been through this for many years.”