where did the The term "can of corn" referring to a easy fly-ball, originate from?.....?

Question

When anouncers calling a baseball game and a batter hits a routine fly ball, they refer to the easy catch as a Can of Corn ?

Answer 1

maybe this will help you a little.

This expression is used in American baseball to indicate a ball that's hit and easily caught in the outfield. A "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".
this phrase was first used by Red Barber -- one of the most famous baseball announcers ever.

Answer 2

According the the New Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the most accepted explanation fo the origin for "A can of corn":

"The phrase, first used in 1896, makes reference to a long-ago practice where a grocer would use a stick to tip a can of vegetables off a high shelf, then catch it in his hands or outstretched apron. "

Another possible source: Such a pop fly is as easy to capture as "corn from a can."

Answer 3

In old grocery stores, the grocers used to keep cans of corn on the very top shelf. When a customer needed corn, the grocer would have to reach up with a big hook and slide it off of the shelf. It would then drop down where he could make an easy catch - hence, can of corn.

Answer 4

Just watch any White Sox game and Hawk Harrelson will explain this at some point in the game for you.

The explanation is the same as what Craig S said.

Why in the world would grocers specifically keep cans of corn on high shelves? It makes no sense.

Answer 5

Good answers.

My favorite fly ball saying is as follows,
When a pop up is hit to a fielder the bench says "we got a guy there" and as soon as he catches the ball the bench says "his name is (fill in the blank)"

Answer 6

yes