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Extra Innings

There is a story ‘bout Casey, that is but incomplete
It tells of simple ball and bat and Mighty’s ignoble feat
There we learned of failure and the storied Mudville name
Here we’ll learn what happened in the very next ballgame  

On this day the players came and sat upon the pine
A game again once more, for the Mudville nine
And when the Mighty one arrived and said “I will not play”
Clouds hung over both team and field, things were a dreary gray

The team dispersed to the field, their hopes and dreams were full
They proudly showed the Mudville name across their suits of wool
The innings passed so quickly, still not a fan would cheer
They chased the roasted peanuts down with drafted foamy beer

The innings read just like a thriller and then the ninth it came
With prayers no longer muted they pleaded “not the same”
The new day score was one to nuttin’ and Casey he still sat.
Until the coach yelled down the bench “Hey, Casey get your bat!” 

Fans who saw him grab his bat and advance on towards the plate
Rained “boos” down on to the field and cursed their constant fate 
The once great and Mighty Casey could never be the hero
Because for sure he’d strike out n’ leave the score at zero

The bases were quite full when Casey tipped his cap 
The other team grew broad smiles - the fans they did not clap
The coach said to his nervous nine “Now it’s up to him”
So, there it was, on Casey’s back a time to sink or swim 

With glove on knee and fingered stitch the pitcher was so ready
He threw the ball at Casey who like a rock was steady
Casey thought he’d fool them all and moved his bat to bunt
The prayers were truly needed, it was a foolish stunt

 “Horse-feathers” the faithful screamed, in frightened unison
The ball it dribbled forward, base runners forgot to run 
The catcher’s foot stomped the plate then he shot the ball to third
Time it froze, amidst the gasps “You’re out” “You’re out” was heard

 Casey had flicked the bat away and stormed the path to first
 As stricken fans downed a beer this time it wasn’t thirst
 Casey knew he could atone, for yesterday’s black sin
 If he beat the ball to the bag, so he ran the race to win 

The cowhide sailed towards its target, the scrutinized first base 
Yesterday was bad, the newspaper had said worst case   
And then before the ball hit glove and before the final call
The Mudville faithful asked out loud, Casey why did you fall?

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