A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

summer of baseball

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!

Can of Corn Challenge: Fall Classic (October)

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!

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

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!

Can of Corn Challenge: The designated hitter (August)

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!