Crossword Genius

Pitches left covered in spots (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spiels

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'pitches' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'left covered in spots' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'left' could be 'l' (common abbreviation) and 'l' is present in the answer.
'spots' could be 'spies' ('spy' can be a synonym of 'spot') and 'spies' is present in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spiels that I've seen before include "In slang, glib or lengthy speeches" , "Plausible glib speeches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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