Wednesday, June 18, 2008

chinese liner, seeing eye and a can of corn

On Father's Day, I attended the ballgame with my Dear Old Dad. And whereas the Giants didn't win (seems like my teams are out of luck these days), my dad imparted to me some intriguing baseball terminology.

He also reminded me that Popeye's father's name was Poopdeck Pappy.

At this rate, I may pick up a fourth language by the end of baseball season!

I didn't find Chinese liner on the list, so anyone out there want to test your knowledge?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used the term, "chinese liner" at a Giants' game last night, and my friend never heard of it.I can't find an online definition. To me it is the same as a Texas Leaguer, but it is a line drive instead of a fly ball. It's a soft line drive that falls between the infielder and the outfielder for a base hit. Do you agree?

Kristin Tieche said...

Yes, exactly!!! I guess that's why it's a Chinese "Liner" as opposed to a Chinese "Flyer" per se. My dad explained it to me that it's a ball that's hit into that space where neither infielder nor outfielder can catch it. My question to him then was: Does a batter intend to hit a Chinese Liner or is it something that just happens?

Kristin Tieche said...

P.S. Bruce, are you from Detroit?

Ron said...

I'm from Detroit and I remember either Harry Heilman or maybe Ernie Harwell using the term "Chinese liner" to refer to a weak line drive landing between an infielder and an outfielder, but not really catchable by either. Maybe it is not PC to use the term, but I haven't heard it for so long that no one was even concerned about political correctness back then. So now I am wondering if it was only used by Detroit Tigers announcers.