A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

chan of corn baseball challenge

Can of Corn 5: The Big Screen

There’s a lot of paper in baseball. 

First – I realize now that I am a couple of days late on this one. That being said, it hasn’t attracted the biggest number of participants, so hopefully if anybody is participating, they forgive! 

Now, let’s move along!

It seems like the big screen is the only way to catch baseball now. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

With everything going on in the world and MLB not being able to agree on how to hold a season (with no fans) because of money and everything else, you have to get your fix some other way.

I don’t get into watching old games for the most part, so doing that doesn’t work. And how much can you listen to the baseball talk shows? Talk about an extended off season! 

But baseball on the big screen – now that stands the test of time. There are so many great baseball movies out there. If you want serious movies, you can find them. Comedies? Check. Bad ones? Definitely. But there are a lot of great ones and if you are looking for some baseball, this might be the escape needed. 

The beauty of baseball movies is people have a varying amount of differences when it comes to what to watch. I’m pretty steadfast on the movies I like best, but placement seems to revolve based on what I might be feeling. My No. 1 is always the same, though. 

So here is my top 10 as of this moment of baseball movies to watch.

1. Bull Durham
This never wavers off the top spot. By far my favorite baseball movie and one that I can watch over and over and over. I’m sure with this blog post coming out, I’ll be watching it soon. 

2. For Love of the Game
Kevin Costner has been in some amazing sports movies, especially baseball. But this is one I can always watch as well. Love the feel of it and the storyline. And I like how there are flashbacks throughout. Just a great overall movie and it tends to move up and down my list. 

3. The Sandlot
If this isn’t in your top five … and you are a baseball fan… well, you’re killin’ me, Smalls. 

4. The Bad News Bears (original)
This movie, as it was written back when, would never make it during our current times. But take it for the time it was made and it’s a classic. Walter Mattheau is gold in this flick. 

5. Major League
I won’t lump them all in here, as the original is still the best by far. And it’s a classic. But I don’t mind the follow-ups to this movie. The original, though, is a great baseball flick, with a good storyline and really good soundtrack/score. 

6. Field of Dreams
If you build it … 

7. A League of their own
There’s no crying in baseball! Well, besides maybe if you are a fan in 2020 … 

8. The Natural
You know you got chills during the end sequence … admit it!

9. 8 Men Out
A very well done portrayal of one of the darkest moments in baseball history. 

10. Summer Catch
This is, by far, not the best movie out there. But … it’s a solid, albeit cheesy flick, that is pretty good overall. It made me have an interest in the Cape Cod League (which I would like to one day see a game or two) and the whole idea of overcoming the past to succeed, is pretty cool. 

Also in the discussion: Pride of the Yankees, 42, Trouble with the Curve, Moneyball.

How about all of you? Is anything missing on this list? What is your favorite? Odds are I’ve likely missed something in my own Top 10, but that happens with so many good baseball flicks. Now, time to get watching!

Can of Corn Challenge 5: The Big Screen

The Can of Corn Challenge is a monthly blogging challenge that runs from February-October. You can see all information, as well as themes for 2020 by visiting this blog post. Feel free to join us for any and all themes! The linkup will remain live each month for about seven days.

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!

Can of Corn 4: On paper

There’s a lot of paper in baseball. 

You have lineup cards. Press notes. Programs. Notepads. And, of course, scorecards. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

I’ve blogged about scorekeeping before. It’s something I’ve done at baseball games for much of my life.

It’s not something everybody does, but I do consider myself a bit of a baseball nerd. 

Scorekeeping at a baseball game is an old-school tradition for baseball fans. Though not all do it, most know about it. Scorecards are in most programs. Kids do it. Adults do it. 

The best part about scorekeeping at a game is there is no set style. Though the concept is the same – you record each play in a game on a scorecard – everybody has their own style and way of doing things. 

That’s really cool, too. 

Sometimes when I am at a game and see somebody keeping score and sitting by themselves, I’ll go say hi, just to talk scorekeeping and see how they do things. I’ve seen a lot of cool things. And some people do very little and just keep score on a piece of paper. Some people have full-fledged scoring systems. 

Keeping score.

And thought I enjoy getting in-depth, I like the simplicity of keeping a scorecard. The craziest I seem to get is using colors when a new pitcher comes in.

I have my own system, but in general, I can look back on most of my scoresheets and can take you through a game just from the way I kept the sheet. 

Most programs at baseball games will show you a basic way to keep score. The basics allow you how to keep score and understand the things one needs.

From there, you can develop your own system and style and let it blossom. I’ve changed some things over the years to the point where I feel I have something I like.

Having things on paper at a baseball game is something of the norm. But once you delve even deeper into things, you’ll find that the way of putting some thing on paper is definitely unique and helps tell the story of a baseball game.

Can of Corn Challenge 4: On paper linkup

The Can of Corn Challenge is a monthly blogging challenge that runs from February-October. You can see all information, as well as themes for 2020 by visiting this blog post. Feel free to join us for any and all themes! The linkup will remain live each month for about seven days.

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!

Can of Corn 3: Yer out!

This theme seems apropos, wouldn’t you say?

The Can of Corn Challenge marches on, with nary a game of baseball in sight. There’s no college ball. No high school. No minor league. No major league. 

No baseball. 

When I came up with themes for this year’s challenge, I had some pretty good thoughts with this one. It has the ability to be fun. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

Maybe it’s back when I got tossed out of a Legion game for being too mouthy. Or watching something happen during a game. Maybe it would have been a photo series with the question of an out? Oh I had ideas. 

Alas, who knew I’d be writing about the baseball season being out?

The MiLB season would have been about two weeks old or so at this point. I definitely would have already been at a few games, enjoying the game be it in cold or warm weather. To be fair, if it was too cold, I might not have made it the whole game if it wasn’t a great one to watch, but it still would have been baseball.

Ahhh baseball, something I look forward to each year. Watching the game in person is as much of a stress reliever as it comes. I enjoy keeping score, watching a game unfold, and all the nuances surrounding the sport. 

And yet, no baseball. 

This virus has halted a lot of things in this world. We, as humans, are being put in a situation we are not used to and we don’t like. Some choose to “fight back,” which in the end will not help humanity. Others go fully the opposite way, which, again, will not help humanity. 

So we’re out for now. 

Sports are trying to figure ways to come back so it can help provide a distraction for people. Empty stadiums. Quarantine athletes and shuttle them back and forth. 

Is it smart? I don’t know. Sports are so huge with crowds. Be it cheering or booing, it can be a massively huge part of the game. 

I’m thinking the only sports franchises in North America who don’t mind all going on are the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox. 

For now, though, baseball is out. 

There’s no crack of the bat. No slap of the mitt. No kids looking for autographs on a scratched-up foul ball they tracked down. No sitting in the stands with an overpriced beer and hot dog. 

Goodness, I’d even welcome paying 10 bucks for a Bud Light at this point. 

There’s a part of me that is staying optimistic. That there will be the chance to go see games in person this season. That there will be cheers and groans of how things unfold on the field, not just in the world. That life will be normal and sports will be part of it. 

Then there’s the other side. Where we will be so cautious that things won’t be “normal” this summer. That we don’t trust when things seem to get better; that the bitter side that is this world right now continues on. 

In the end, we don’t know what will happen. 

All I know is I’m out when it comes to seeing baseball right now, and that makes this whole situation even harder.

Can of Corn Challenge 3: Yer out! linkup

The Can of Corn Challenge is a monthly blogging challenge that runs from February-October. You can see all information, as well as themes for 2020 by visiting this blog post. Feel free to join us for any and all themes! The linkup will remain live each month for about seven days.

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!

Can of Corn 2: Spring training

This post has taken a different meaning. 

When I originally came up with these themes, there were some ideas bouncing in my head. But this year, this is totally different. 

The scare going around the world has changed everyday life for the near future, and even the escape of sports – which for many people is just that – has been taken away. 

And though spring training standings aren’t really worth much, the Phillies had the best record in baseball. And that at least had me excited. Baseball was coming soon. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

And then this pandemic has shut down the world. 

Believe me, I fully understand the ramifications of what is happening. And though I may wonder about the lengths we are going, I also realize a couple months (give or take) of inconvenience to make sure people are healthy is the least of my concerns. It’s part of life and hopefully, as a people, we will get through this. 

That being said. 

When there are things wrong with the world, often the way to escape is with sports. 

Alas, event sports have stopped. 

And here we are, in the middle of March… when those of us who love baseball would be gearing up for opening day. Spring training cuts and such would be happening and teams would start shaping up to what we would expect. 

My hope is that will still happen, even if a month or so down the road. Technically, spring didn’t even start until March 19. Then it runs through June 20. 

But for the sake of not having everything go to this virus overtaking the world, I’ll go back a couple of years when I had the chance to attend spring training for the first time. It was quite exciting, I will note. The only issue? Back problems. Several weeks before the trip to Florida, I pulled my back at some point. I think it was caused by shoveling snow, but it was a gradual pain. Eventually, it got really bad. I went and saw the doctor. They took an MRI on it (that might have been after the trip). I went and saw an acupuncturist. 

Nothing worked. 

I went to Florida in some serious pain. So bad that I couldn’t walk far without going into a catcher’s crouch to relieve the pain. Let’s just say it wasn’t a great thing. 

So spring training was cool. Watching games down there was nice. But I couldn’t get out and explore the stadiums and areas like I would have wanted to. 

Some day, I’ll likely go back. 

Oh – the back issue. When I got home, I finally went and saw a chiropractor. And I went several times a week for a few weeks. In time, things improved. The MRI came back without anything major, thus meaning the doctor said no surgery. Instead … I just went to the chiropractor. 

It kept improving. 

I needed fewer visits. 

And now? Fine. I think part of the reason is I go back every 4-6 weeks to get myself lined up. Preventative really does work. To think I could have gone to Florida in better shape if I had just gone to the chiropractor in the first place!

Back to 2020. Baseball’s on hold … but it’s my hope spring training will resume and we’ll get some regular season games eventually. 

Can of Corn Challenge 2: Spring training! linkup

The Can of Corn Challenge is a monthly blogging challenge that runs from February-October. You can see all information, as well as themes for 2020 by visiting this blog post. Feel free to join us for any and all themes! The linkup will remain live each month for about seven days.

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!

The Can of Corn Challenge is back!

It’s been a few years, but the Can of Corn Challenge is back!

In 2016 and 2017, I ran a baseball-themed blogging challenge. The idea was much like many other challenges out there – take a theme and write about it. These themes are open to interpretation, but baseball needs to be involved in some shape or form. 

Can of Corn Challenge logo

Though not a lot of people participated in the past, it was a lot of fun. Hopefully a few people will take part and enjoy it as well this year. 

Below, you  will find the themes and posting date for the nine months we will be holding this challenge. That way, you can plan ahead and maybe schedule posts. Then you’ll just have to remember to come back and link up. 

The link up will be scheduled for the 20th of each month, February-October. The nine months, of course, signify the innings of a baseball game, or of course. 

I hope you’ll consider joining us and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Months and themes:

  • February: Play Ball
  • March: Spring Training
  • April: Yer out!
  • May: On paper
  • June: The Big Screen
  • July: Hey, nerd
  • August: Popped up
  • September: 4-6-3
  • October: Fall classic

If you know others who might want to take part, please share this post with them! Here’s hoping for a fun 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!