No fooling: The pranksters are out today

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

This year, April Fool's Day is canceled.

Gotcha!

OK, so that wasn't very funny. Hopefully, there will be a new round of harmless, funny pranks to celebrate today. We're already off to a good start:

-- Internet search giant Google has, for a day, changed its name to Topeka. Google says it's new name is a response to Topeka's decision to change its name to "Google, Kan." for the month of March. Topeka jokingly changed its name as part of a campaign to convince Google to choose it as a test site for an experimental fiber-optic network.
-- Coffee mogul Starbucks has gotten into the act, introducing two new sizes: “Plenta,” a hefty 128 fluid ounces, and “Micra” a tiny 2 ounces. Starbucks noted that the new cups were recyclable and suggested using the Plenta cup as a popcorn receptacle, rain hat, perennial planter, lampshade or yoga block.
-- Maxpreps, a CBS News site dedicated to high school sports, ran a story about a north Georgia baseball player, Abe Rulino of "Pongo High School," who has hit 11 inside-the-park home runs this season. His alleged coach, Ev Thompson, is quoted as saying one opposing team put six players in the outfield to stop him. Rulino responded by laying down a bunt, which went for a triple. Maxpreps even included a photo of Rulino, who would appear to be at least 30 years old.

We've also compiled a list of some of our favorite April Fool's Day pranks from the past, including some that happened right in our own back yards.

In 2006, the Living cover of the AJC invited readers to catch a whiff of Georgia's most aromatic blooms. Scratch and sniff, the headline said. Uh huh.
-- In 1998, Burger King advertised its "Left-handed Whopper" in a major, national publication. Suddenly, people were trying to order a "Right-handed Whopper." Neither burger existed.
-- In 1996, the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had purchased Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and planned to rename it the "Taco Bell Liberty Bell." A few hours later, the burrito makers fessed up.
-- In 1993, more than 4,000 callers tried to return messages to Zoo Atlanta. Who were they trying to reach? Mr. Bea, as in Will E. Bea.
-- In 1987, longtime Atlanta Braves pitcher Phil Niekro announced his retirement on April 1, his 48th birthday. He was just teasing his Cleveland teammates though. He retired that September in Atlanta.
-- In 1984, fans from a certain downtown Atlanta technical institute were the likely culprits behind a prank in Athens. Someone used lime to inscribe "GT" on the sidelines at Sanford Stadium.