A can of corn is an easy, routine fly ball that a fielder catches without having to move much. The phrase is usually traced to old general stores, where grocers used a pole to tip cans off high shelves and caught them in their aprons, an easy grab that reminded people of a lazy fly ball.
Term explained
Can of corn at a glance
The easiest catch in baseball
What it is
A soft, high, easy fly ball
Who says it
Broadcasters, players and fans
Origin
Grocers tipping cans off high shelves and catching themThe most common explanation
Opposite
A frozen rope or a gapperHard hit balls fielders struggle to reach
Result
Nearly always an outUnless the sun or wind gets involved
Fly Ball Slang
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Can of corn | An easy fly ball |
| Pop up | A high fly in the infield |
| Texas Leaguer | A soft fly that drops for a hit |
| Moonshot | A towering home run |
| Warning track power | A deep fly that falls just short of a homer |
For dozens more terms, see the baseball slang glossary.
Related
Baseball slang glossary · What is a Texas Leaguer · What is a Maddux
Terms cross checked with the MLB.com glossary.