Talk:Shoeless Joe (novel)

Continuing off...
I am currently reading this book, about halfway through, so, uh...hi. It's a good book. Engrossing, and magical. Thanks for making this article. -The Hams 22:35, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

"If you build it, he will come."
I was just wondering if the phrase "If you build it, they will come" comes directly from the novel, or if it is justin the movie? --In Defense of the Artist (talk) 02:23, 27 November 2007 (UTC)
 * The catch-phrases were from the book. That one, plus "Ease his pain" and "Go the distance." Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? 02:58, 27 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I just stumbled upon this but love this movie. For anyone who might know, having seen this movie many times, I've always been under the impression that "ease his pain" was referencing the pain that Kinsella's father probably experienced upon the relationship break with son Ray. I musta missed sumpin'. Any enlightment out there? JakeInJoisey (talk) 23:34, 22 July 2011 (UTC)

"Hey dad, do you want to have a catch"?
I love the movie but have not read the book yet. But, this single line always bugs me. No says Do you want to HAVE A CATCH. If you are asking someone to toss the ball with you, the appropriate phrase would have been, "Hey Dad, do you want to PLAY catch?". The original phrase is just wrong and makes me wonder if the author truly ever played baseball. Interested in others input. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Matthewcolinlane (talk • contribs) 03:13, 18 July 2008 (UTC)
 * Regional colloquialism. Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? 11:01, 18 July 2008 (UTC)

Matthew,  As a 20 year baseball player, brought up in a devout baseball family, I can tell you that "have a Catch" is the correct saying. Maybe regionally, you use different sayings, but me and mine have always called it "having a catch." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.70.207.112 (talk) 18:12, 9 November 2009 (UTC)


 * I would have said, "Do you want to play catch?" and I don't recall hearing the expression "have a catch" when I was a kid, but it could be a regional thing. The OP wrote that a year ago summer, so I hope he's had a chance to read the book by now. It doesn't actually end quite the way the film did, and he doesn't say, "Do you want to have a catch?" to his father. That was apparently written for the film. The "Hey... Dad?" part was added as an afterthought, possibly post-production. In the book, the father apparently doesn't know Ray is his son. In the film, it's obvious he does know, but father and son both avoid coming out and saying it until that line at the end. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 00:34, 10 November 2009 (UTC)
 * "Wanna have a catch" is definitively Brooklyn, NY, early to mid 50's. Anyone uttering "Wanna play catch" would have been soundly trodden upon as a closet Yankee or Giant fan ;-) JakeInJoisey (talk) 00:23, 23 July 2011 (UTC)