Can of Corn

Posted by Bob on May 26, 2000

In Reply to: Can of Corn posted by Sue Cap on May 22, 2000

: This expression is used in American baseball to indicate a ball that's hit and easily caught in the outfield. A c"Can't miss" catch is called a can of corn. I've heard it comes from old general stores that would stack canned foods high against the wall behind the cash register. When retrieving a can for a customer, the shopkeeper would softly lob the can so it could be easily caught. Corn is used instead of another food because the outfield is sometimes called the "cornfield". I don't know if I believe this explanation of origin. Any ideas?

Yes to all of the above ... except ... it's a ball hit softly, not high, right at you. Very easy to catch.