gopher ball

[Mike Calvert]

Is anyone familiar with the term "gopher ball" as slang for a home run
in baseball?

The sportswriter who used it in a story told me it's not an uncommon
term and is used by TV announcers. The sports editor was also familiar
with it.

I'm wondering what the operative metaphor might be. I checked the ADS
archives but couldn't find anything on it.

Michael Calvert
Night copy editor
Press Enterprise
Bloomsburg, PA