John Watt Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Sliding Head First

The first three pitches: just outside. Pitch four:
right at the knees - "Steerike!", the umpire calls.
I wait to get the pitch I'm hoping for…
The next toss: high and tight... a base on balls.

I take my lead. I check the signs and frown -
he throws, I dive, dirt in my eyes - the worst!
The batter squares to bunt and lays one down -
a gem! I slide, they throw him out at first.

I get a bigger lead at second base -
my 3rd base coach gives signs without a word.
My fingers twitch, the pitcher deals, I race 
like Rickey sliding head first, I steal third.

Long fly - I tag and slide under the mitt…
we score the winning run without a hit!


// Hats off to Rickey Henderson, all-time stolen base leader. With home 
runs dominating the sport today, I thought I'd go 'old school' and pay a 
tribute to 'small ball' from days of yore. They call it 'manufacturing a run'
when a team can score without the benefit of a hit. Many thanks to 
Gershon Wolf for challenging me to write my first baseball sonnet! //

written 18 Oct 2020

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Jack Horne November 3, 2020 at 11:43 AM I know next to nothing about baseball but you've done a great job here John Watt November 3, 2020 at 12:20 PM Given the unfamiliar territory, it is very generous of you to weigh in, Jack. Other than football/soccer, baseball is the only sport I care to watch.

Andrea Dietrich October 22, 2020 at 6:14 PM way to do an unsually themed sonnet, John. I am in good company Gosh, I can't believe how behind I am on your poetry. it's been four days??? John Watt October 22, 2020 at 8:29 PM After the World Series is over, you'll stop seeing baseball poems from me I promise...

Gershon Wolf October 19, 2020 at 5:16 PM --And you got it in just before the start of the World Series too, John! Way to go... It looks as if we're still on the same wavelength: I just posted a non-sonnet on baseball yesterday. It's only four lines. Congrats to you! ~ Red-hots, Red-hots, Get your ballpark redhots; Beer here, beer here, beer here... John Watt October 20, 2020 at 1:27 PM Our amazing mind meld continues, my friend. Call us the Diamond Duo or the Double Play Twins! Hot dogs and beer for dinner tonight as I watch game 1. Play ball! ~ Johnny Bench

Ilene Bauer October 19, 2020 at 1:33 PM rickey henderson was one of my favorite yankees (although your picture has him in the wrong uniform!) and i love how you've given him props for his base-stealing abilities in your wonderful baseball sonnet, john. masterfully done! John Watt October 19, 2020 at 1:56 PM Ha! You've unmasked my West Coast bias, I see! He was great wherever he played (he even spent a couple seasons with the Padres and got his 3000th hit here). He could turn a walk into a triple better than anybody. Glad you liked this, my friend ~ john

Jenna Logan October 19, 2020 at 3:43 AM I'll risk a pun and say for your first poem about baseball, 'You knocked it out of the park!' Tag the bag and run. You did, John. Well done!! John Watt October 19, 2020 at 2:24 PM LOL! Thanks for the support and the fun comment, Jenna! I really appreciate it. You can always risk a pun with me ;^)

Michelle Faulkner October 18, 2020 at 10:28 PM A fun lesson on America's favorite pastime - so how are the Padres doing this season? John Watt October 18, 2020 at 11:24 PM They lost to the Dodgers last week, but it's their first visit to the postseason since 2006! It gave us fans something other than Covid to think about, so that's a win for me. Thank you for stopping by!