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