Back to the Philadelphia Phillies Newsfeed

Why is a Lazy Fly Ball Called a ‘Can of Corn’ in Baseball? Exploring the Richness of Baseball Slang

Baseball, undoubtedly one of the most beloved iconic sports in American culture, is rich in tradition, history, and perhaps most fascinatingly, its unique language. Amid a web of phrases, idioms, and terms that have come to characterize the sport, few expressions are more interesting or intriguing than the term “Can of Corn”. This is a phrase whose origins are as mysterious as they are amusing, adding a delightful layer of charm to the ubiquitous sport.

Tucked within the grand schema of baseball language, the term “Can of Corn” simultaneously bewilders the uninitiated and delights those privy to its meaning.