What Is a Can of Corn in Baseball?
Quick answer
An easy, lazy fly ball that a fielder catches without having to move much. The phrase is usually credited to old grocers knocking cans off high shelves and catching them.
In this article
A can of corn is an easy, routine fly ball that a fielder catches without having to move much. When an announcer says "that's a can of corn," the out was never in doubt: the ball hangs in the air, the fielder drifts a step or two, and it settles into the glove.
What counts as a can of corn
The phrase is about difficulty, not distance. A 300-foot fly ball that the center fielder catches after two easy steps is a can of corn. A sinking line drive that the same fielder has to dive for is not, even if it travels half as far.
Typical signs of a can of corn:
- A high, soft fly ball with plenty of hang time
- The fielder is already close to where it comes down
- No wind, sun or wall makes the catch tricky
High pop-ups near the infield are more often called pop flies or pop-ups, though you'll hear some announcers call those a can of corn too.
Where the phrase comes from
The most common explanation goes back to old general stores. Canned goods were stacked on high shelves, and a clerk would use a long pole or hook to tip a can down and catch it in his hands or apron. The can dropped straight down and was easy to catch, much like a lazy fly ball.
It's a good story, but nobody has documented exactly who first used the phrase in baseball. It's simply old baseball slang that has stuck around.
Routine catches still need good habits
Easy outs are only easy if the fielder does the basics:
- Call for the ball early and loudly so teammates peel off.
- Get under it and stop moving before it arrives, instead of catching on the run.
- Catch it above your head with two hands, glove hand first and throwing hand ready.
- Deal with the sun and wind: a good pair of baseball sunglasses and checking the flags before the pitch save a lot of misplays.
Our guide on how to catch a baseball covers drills for fly balls. If a fielder does drop one, the scorer will usually charge an error, because ordinary effort should have made the play.
Related baseball slang
- Dinger: a home run
- Raking: hitting the ball hard, again and again
- Chin music: a high, inside pitch
- Retire the side: get the third out of a half-inning
For more, see our full list of baseball terms explained.
Frequently asked questions
What does "can of corn" mean in baseball?
It means an easy, lazy fly ball that a fielder catches without having to run far. Announcers use it for the most routine catch in the game.
Where does the phrase "can of corn" come from?
The usual explanation is that old grocers tipped cans off high shelves with a pole and caught them easily in their hands or aprons. It is long-standing baseball slang, but the exact origin isn't documented.
Is a can of corn the same as a pop-up?
Not quite. A pop-up is usually a very high ball in or near the infield, while a can of corn is usually a soft fly ball to the outfield. Both are routine outs, and some announcers use the terms loosely.
What happens if a fielder drops a can of corn?
Because the catch should have been made with ordinary effort, the official scorer will usually charge the fielder with an error.
