HECKLE OF THE DAY

HECKLE OF THE DAY: "Skillet!"

A rarely used but extremely effective heckle, best used when opposing players make errors, or "boot" ground balls hit directly into their gloves.

The etymology of the heckle goes back to the days when U.S. Army soldiers played baseball without the use of appropriate gloves, instead using a frying pan, or "skillet" as a substitute fielding device.*

As fielding in this manner was virtually impossible - balls, or rolled up socks tended to bounce out of the skillet with tremendous force and a loud, cacophonous racket - the use of the skillet was soon relegated to history and thus, heckle lore

"Skillet!" is best delivered by placing the emphasis on the first two letters of the word and then prolonging the pronunciation of the letters "i and l" in the middle of the word. Subsequently, the delivery should sound like, "SSKKiiillllet!"

When practicing, be sure to experiment with various levels of volume and pitch.

*the above etymology of skillet is complete and utter bollox and is not intended for republication or use to impress unsuspecting junior staffers.*