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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

baseball writing challenge

Can of Corn Challenge: Fall Classic (October)

October 18, 2017

It’s that time of year.

The fall classic is upon us as baseball playoffs are in the full swing. So far, the playoffs have been pretty exciting and I have a feeling the World Series will be pretty good this year. I know who I am pulling for, but I’ll keep that away from the blog for now.

This also will mark the end of the Can of Corn Challenge for 2017. The odds are, too, that this will end the Can of Corn Challenge. It was a good two-year run, but it hasn’t brought in any other people. And for a writing challenge to succeed, then it needs more than one and, occasionally, a couple of others checking in. The idea of this challenge was to try and attract others who would like to write about baseball, but it never did that well … so it’s been fun, but time to move on.

But the Fall Classic.

I was still young when the Phillies won the World Series in 1980. I have some small memories of it, but not vivid. I slightly remember the Phillies losing to the Orioles in 1983. And 1993 … well, Joe Carter can go pound a serious amount of salt.

But then there’s 2008.

World F’N Champions.

If you wonder why I added that “F’N” – well, just Google Chase Utley’s speech after the championship parade.

Baseball is a funny sport. There are times when you feel like things go your way and 2008 was that way for the Phillies. They battled bad weather and everything else to fend off the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series and set up a crazy parade down Broad Street.

The team was filled with colorful players and was an incredibly fun team to watch. They played the game in an old-school way and played it right. There was solid pitching, defense, and hitting. It was just great.

Heck, all of the playoffs were great. There were some amazing moments. And it’s something I’ll remember for a long time. I might never see the Phillies win another World Series. I always said that if I had the chance to see my teams win championships in my lifetime, I’d be happy with one. Yes, I thought they should have won more than one during their run – but they won the one.

Baseball is a great sport. Playoffs are as good, if not better, than hockey. And that says something considering the fact that hockey playoffs are amazing. It doesn’t matter the level though – minors or majors – playoffs are great.

But 2008 was special for me. It’s a Fall Classic I’ll never forget.

Link up below if you want to take part in this month’s challenge!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, blogging, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world, Writing Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

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Can of Corn Challenge: The voice of baseball (September)

September 20, 2017

When I was a kid, I could get broadcasts of the Philadelphia Phillies on AM radio.

And while it’s true that maybe the weather had to be right, or I had to point the antennae a certain way, I could – in upstate New York – get Philadelphia’s flagship radio broadcast later at night.

And that brought me the soothing voice of Harry Kalas.

Harry’s soothing voice brought great description of the game, allowing me to feel like I was there. Baseball it truly a sport made for radio, especially when announcers can bring you there.

Harry did that for me.

He was the voice of the Phillies and one who tried to hear as often as I could. But there were other greats – such as Vin Scully.

Honestly, it depended who your team was.

In days gone by, voices were synonymous with a team. If you heard that popular “Holy Cow!” you had to know it was Phil Rizzuto and the Yankees. Ralph Kiner’s “unique” delivery could tell you the Mets were playing. There was Harry Caray, Jack Buck, and Ernie Harwell. Bob Uecker is still delivering in Milwaukee, and Marty Brennaman in Cincinnati.

The list could go on and on. Even some of the newer ones are really great.

But everybody has a favorite and Harry was mine.

Years ago, I was at a Baseball Hall of Fame event where he was the guest. At the end, he took questions. I asked him about doing a home run call because it had been mentioned a few times. He asked my name and before I knew it, I was whisked off to my childhood, listening to Harry calling the came on a small radio.

This time, though, I was the one at the plate.

A 3-2 count was on me and I connected and it was as if I was a kid drifting off to sleep … “That baby’s outta heeeeeere!”

How about you? Who was your voice?

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, blogging, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, Writing Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

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Can of Corn Challenge: The designated hitter (August)

August 16, 2017

Oh, the designated hitter.

One of those positions that people either love or hate and the opinions will differ as strongly as what those people think.

Personally, I’m a traditionalist. And being a fan of the Phillies and the National League, I think you can see where I am going with this.

I don’t like the designated hitter.

Look, in amateur sports or adult league softball – I have no issues. In some instances, it’s a great thing as it allows maximum participation. However, when you are getting paid to play the game …

Come on.

Pitchers throughout time have hit for themselves. And they’ve done it well.

In 1973, that changed for the American League with the addition of Major League Baseball Rule 5.11, which allows teams to have one player (the designated hitter) to bat in place of the pitcher.

The DH has extended people’s careers. It probably got some people into the Hall of Fame, and it hurt other candidates by likely keeping them out. But it’s been a part of the game, that’s for sure. Alas, not everybody likes this rule.

I’m sure, eventually, the National League will adopt this rule as well. I can hope that it’s not something I will see.

The designated hitter prolongs careers. Take David Ortiz as one recent example. But it doesn’t mean it’s something one has to like.

These players are professionals being paid millions of dollars to play a game. There are a lot of pitchers who hit well and who love to hit. Others you can tell don’t love it at all.

But you are paid to play baseball.

As noted in Bull Durham, there are three aspects to the game – you hit the ball, you catch the ball, you throw the ball.

Three items.

It’s time to stop worrying about getting rid of an intentional walk process to speed up games and start going back to the game how it used to be. Make the pitchers hit!

What say you on the DH? Yay or nay?

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, blogging, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world, Writing Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

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Can of Corn Challenge: What do you bring to the ballpark? (July)

July 19, 2017

The ballpark experience is definitely different for every person.

Some people go for the social aspect. Others go to watch a game and nothing more. Others may experience the food, sights, and sounds.

Score book and passport are two things I always have with me at the ballpark!

It differs all around the park, which makes it even better.

But what do you bring to the park with you? Again, you could poll 100 people and probably will get a different answer from each person.

For me, the ballpark is more than just a game. It’s a safe-haven of sorts. A place where I can unwind and relax and watch the game I love so much. Some people love going to concerts and things like that — I enjoy baseball games.

But I do things a little different as I consider myself a bit of a baseball nerd. And with that in mind, here is what I bring to the park every time I go:

  • Backpack
  • Score book (yes, I keep a score book for every professional game I attend)
  • Baseball Passport (link to my review)
  • Baseball America Prospect Handbook
  • A sweatshirt
  • A camera of some sorts (some days my phone, other days my main DSLR/lenses)

What’s nice is I do this for every game and it all fits in a backpack. The days I carry my DSLR will be harder than others, and heavier. Last year I did it at most games. This years not as much. I love action photography, but I really love paying more attention to the game. I also like using other lenses at the games, though, as it gives you a different perspective. Take for example sitting in the upper deck at an MLB game and using a fisheye/wide-angle lens.

While inside the park, my goals usually include a hot dog — especially if I have never been to the stadium before. Outside of that, it’s just watching the game and taking in the ambiance.

So how about you? What do you bring when you head the park? If you are taking part in this month’s challenge, link up below!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, blogging, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world, Writing Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

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Can of Corn Challenge: Best baseball movie (June)

June 21, 2017

“A good friend of mine used to say, ‘This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.’ Think about that for a while.”

This question has been posed to me more than once and I’ve never wavered from my answer.

Bull Durham.

There are some great baseball movies. Field of Dreams. The Natural. Pride of the Yankees. Bad News Bears. The Sandlot. Major League. For Love of the Game.

Then there’s Mr. 3,000. Oh wait … I went too far with that one.

But then there’s truly Bull Durham and it stands above all other baseball movies, bar none.

Years ago, when I was starting out my career at a daily paper, I had to write a column during the MLB playoffs. I wasn’t much of a column person then, so I needed to dig deep. I ended up writing a top-10 picks of baseball movies.

It wasn’t even close.

Bull Durham is a classic in every form. It’s funny. It’s semi raunchy at times. It has a good story. The actors are fantastic.

And it has baseball.

The movie is full of quotes, too, which makes it even better. While it’s true it’s probably not for younger fans, the movie has withstood the time. On a visit to Durham last year, the team store had a bunch of things related to the movie. It’s very cool in that regard.

A quick story about this movie, though.

Years ago, we were playing at a softball national tournament. While there, I met up with an old college friend who was playing with another team. After our games were done, a bunch of us were standing beyond the outfield wall of another game, having a few cordials and chatting. At some point … the quotes started.

And though we couldn’t go through the whole movie, it seemed like between the whole crew, we covered every quotable part of the movie. It was pretty cool.

The movie is just about the perfect baseball movie, and with that in mind, I’ll leave you with this quote:

Skip: You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!

Larry: Lollygaggers!

Skip: Lollygaggers.

If you are a baseball fan and have never seen this movie … I am not sure what you are waiting for. Make sure you go see it … and realize why it’s so amazing!

If you are taking part in this month’s Can of Corn Challenge, link up below and visit any others who might be doing the same! You can see the remainder of the themes for this summer (and join us in any that you would like) by clicking here.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, blogging, Can of Corn Challenge, challenges, My world, Writing Tagged With: baseball, baseball challenge, baseball writing challenge, can of corn, can of corn blog challenge, can of corn blogging challenge, can of corn challenge, chan of corn baseball challenge, summer of baseball, writing challenge

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Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! You know, Harper is counting down to Santa Paws! 

You know, of course, Santa Paws travels with Santa Clause, making sure to find treats and toys for all the good little doggies! (We know they are all deserving, right?) So, Harper put out some milk for the big guy, carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer, and special cookies for Santa Paws! She is ready! 

#SantaPaws #Christmas2022 #HarperChristmas #MyDogHarper #GoldenRetriever #DogsofInstagram #PhotoOfTheDay #Photography #Christmas #IPhoneography
One of the best parts about having Harper as my be One of the best parts about having Harper as my best friend… ❤️
Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to sna Couldn't resist stopping on the way to work to snap this shot. The colors in the sky were fantastic and the scene was nice looking (though, to be fair, I drove by what I think would have been a better scene -- the valley and hills full of snow etc.)

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The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪 The best of times??? 🤪🤪🤪
Just a break on our morning walk … #goldenretri Just a break on our morning walk …

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Tired. Tired.
Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! Harper is ready for tonight! Let’s go Phillies! 

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I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I look at her and sometimes still can’t believe I have her. It’s been a year and four months and she makes me smile and laugh more each day. It’s amazing how much a dog changes your look on life, and how much joy they can bring. 

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I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to I’ve recently realized how many photos I have to post here, as well as on Harper’s (@harper_dublin) account). So, as I start to transfer photos, I’ll try and catch up. So photos coming could be from all seasons and who knows when. 🤣

This one is recent from the courthouse square in Delhi. We had some pretty good fall colors this year. 

#fall #delhiny #seasons #iphoneonly #love #photography #photooftheday #instagood #happy #picoftheday
From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper t From a few weeks ago. I was trying to get Harper to put her paws on the bridge and looked out, but she was more content jumping on me and looking up. I do love the way she seems to be looking at me.
Instagram post 17992900117561614 Instagram post 17992900117561614
Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with t Couldn’t resist a quick stop this morning with the fog and frost settled in. 

Hamden Covered Bridge 

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Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend! #g Harper’s friend Lucy is around this weekend!

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So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t So… @harper_dublin wants to know why she can’t have @mallons_homemade_sticky_buns.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this This is why we can’t have nice things. Saw this on me morning walk Friday with Harper. Likely some college kids, but also as chance at local hooligans. I had Harper so not a lot I could do, but I managed to get the cart off the chair. (See second photo) This was in a local park.
Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 1 Harper is ready for #nationalfetchday on October 15! @chuckitfetchgames 

Should be fun! @discgolfdarren @harmm23
Starting to feel like fall! #fall #nature #autum Starting to feel like fall! 

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Street lights hidden in a tree. #life #light #wa Street lights hidden in a tree. 

#life #light #walk #explore ##instagood #photooftheday #photography #happy
Finally learning this Canon M6 MarkII before my tr Finally learning this Canon M6 MarkII before my trip starts this weekend. Really like it now that I took the time to set it up and learn the differences between this and my 7D MarkII. This and the iPhone will do most of the work on the trip. 

Photo is inside on a dark and dreary day. Transferred to phone and edited with #snapseed. 

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Life is good. Life is good.
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P.J. Harmer

P.J. Harmer
A video looking at my first year and a half of owning a golden retriever, my first dog. It's had its ups and downs, but I've truly loved the ride and look forward to the future. 

Music: Happy before we get old by Michael Shynes via Artlist. 

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Thank you for watching. :)
When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

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Music: Happy to be Happy (Dapun)

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I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

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Music: Infinite Wonder (Ben Fox)

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