Spell...Check! 

How this all buzz came to...bee: That is, bringing together some of the most Pro-ficient spellers in the world, at a time when "Spelling" as a subject has actually fallen out, of the "core" subjects taught in many grade schools, that traditionally found itself under "Writing" (in between Reading....A-Rithmetic) and under the larger umbrella of "Grammar". Before it, in many locales, even prior to "Spell Check" came to be, as an AI assist, which served to only accelerate the downward trend to characterize Spelling as what's termed ("alternate definition...?") queries the participant, pausing prior to...

Spell it out! (relate yet?) No turning back now, once the "Spelling Bee" competitor, already well-schooled in the rules, realizes..."once you start a word, you can't back up, delete, change, modify..." In a stretch (here's the tie-in you've been looking for), kind of like...once a pitcher gets the sign, from the "catcher" who  might in turn have been prompted by the coach, trying to fake out those who might be, in all sports (including the one at hand, which eventuated in having to nuance finger writing)..."sign stealers" (ever notice where the parents are seated, so as to not prevent them nodding their heads or other sign forms know only to them and their speller)..."and now, the wind up, and finally, after all the "gesticulations" on the mound, at the mike...(another nice tie-in with both sporting events)...

Bizzy Bees: A fun spell check fact is that the word "bee" which actually refers to, in the present context, at least, "a social gathering, singular in purpose...at least the activity, interest that brought them together..." Which came to be strongly associated with this now annual rite of spring, at least in our geo region, one where another national past time continues to thrive, at last up until now. But like other social institutions or when one takes their success too much for granted ("the word is c-o-m-p-l-a-c-e-n-t"), could end up what's in another sense of the word...  

A has Been: "Most often applied to famous people like athletes who, despite their strong popularity, string of victories, or previous Pro-wess, have declined, fallen out of popularity, style..." In the present tense, sense, "Spelling" in many locales has seen a gradual decline in both popularity and practice, almost as much as the type of "cursive" writing you might sill be asked to do on occasion, in order to "Sign here" only being asked to "Please Print" in order to save some confusion...Whereas "Cursive Writing" is only brough out on occasion "Spelling" is now, in many educational circles outside of "Scripps" what's known as something that's not essential to the main task...or "core subject"...a "splinter skill" OUCH!😢 

BTW: Only a matter of time that words will be abbreviated to the point where taking the time to break down words, apply all the rules and even more the exceptions, to allow for correct spelling and usage...no longer makes much sense, where the current competition will be reduced to "app..." As in "alternate pronunciation please" As if I had to spell it out for you...

Final Round: How do you spell "a pitcher whose arm is clearly showing fatigue...?" By calling in a "reliever" who is hanging around the bull-pen...🤣😕 

Next..."batter up!": Following you getting whatever, however you spell "R-e-l-i-e-f" (if you remember this commercial UR showing your age...)