Best Play Ball Poems
I have attempted to capture my favorite major league baseball players in this little shape poem of home plate. Included are (in no particular order):
Say Hey Willie Mays Walter Johnson (Big Train)
Randy Johnson (The Big Unit) Babe Ruth (The Sultan Of Swat)
Tony Gwynn Jimmie Foxx
Ted Williams Maury Wills
Stan “The Man” Musial Johnny Bench
Ken Griffey Jr Greg Maddox
Henry Aaron Lou Gehrig
Roberto Clemente Ty Cobb
Satchell Paige Ernie Banks
Rickey Henderson Carl Yastrzemski (Yaz)
Trevor Hoffman Albert Pujols
Gibson (Bob and Josh) Honus Wagner
Rogers Hornsby Cal Ripken
Robinson (Jackie, Frank and Brooks)
Some favorites I had to leave out…
Christy Mathewson Warren Spahn
Sandy Koufax Tom Seaver
Mickey Mantle Rod Carew
Joe Morgan Ozzie Smith
Mariano Rivera Miguel Cabrera
Pedro Martinez Ichiro Suzuki
David Ortiz Jose Altuve
I’d love to see your faves mentioned in the comments section!
written 24 Aug 2020
baseball and poetry love them both
just like writing baseball excites me too
and during the recent months they’ve gain growth
love it as much as writing an haiku
can’t wait next month the season will begin
I'm not like others I never played golf
if I’m lucky I’ll catch a Red Sox win
outside of Fenway was a sign for Gulf
besides Poetry Soup may be else where
such as MLB dot com checking scores
I love baseball because it has some flair
as a kid bought cards from many stores
when summer is here I’ll be watching more
wife and I caught a Red Sox Phillies game
and my wife didn’t find the game a bore
but lately the Red Sox have brought us shame
but the new season will be starting soon
enjoy the games even from the saloon
Somewhere there’s a baseball
Shivering in the cold
Somewhere there’s a baseball glove
Afraid of growing old.
Somewhere there’s a baseball bat
Some weary cleats - sweat stained hat.
Somewhere there’s a baseball field
Beneath snow’s winter fall
Somewhere dreaming children
Hear the umpire shout
“Play Ball”.
John G. Lawless
submitted to – Batter Up – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Debbie Guzzi
They want us to play ball
The referee made a bad call
They cheat for the other team
They repeat the same scheme
The NBA wants to see us play
But won't listen to what we say
Without us there would
Be no winning
That's how it was
Set up from the beginning
Since MJ
It's still happening today
They want us to play ball
But the referee made a bad call
Players stand tall
Don't fall
We support you all
Baseball is on my mind more,
When frigid winds freeze to the core,
Opening day,
Seems eons away,
Snow shovels strike out, wood bats score!
The sun is warm, the new mown grass is green
Nowhere else he’d rather be this summer day
In tune with his team and feeling fine
Batter up says the ump, its time, let’s play!
It’s a joy to be young and in love with the sport
Dreaming of someday playing ball as a pro
But for now it’s enough to have a summer day
To be a kid with a glove, bat and a ball to throw.
12/8/15
Image # 4
Play Ball (Softball)
My daughters use to play softball
I wish I could have been to them all
Since my daughters don’t play anymore
I don’t have a team to cheer for
I do watch some games on the TV
The girls have lots of great energy
When the girls are in the dugout
You can hear them cheer and shout
You can hear them chant and scream
To win a world series starts as a dream
For one team to lose comes sorrow
And they may not have a game tomorrow
I’ve seen many girls being sad
I can’t recall any of them getting mad
Lots of girls playing softball
Good luck to them all
So exciting, I'm next, I'm next
My turn up to swing, make that bat sing
Don't think it gets any better than that
Your chance at a home run to bring
Oh No, they're switching pitchers
She must be that NEW girl at school
I have no conception or Clue... of her technique
Wonder if those well defined muscular arms
are any indication... That little girl don't appear weak
Silently sweating in the dug out,
listening to all my peers frantically shout,
"That girls throw is like a tornado invader,
It's been told she clocks off all the radar!"
Her last season was historically undefeated
All the batters were left feeling depleted
Every rival team ultimately conceded
I'm starting to feel a 'lil cheated
"You there, Your UP", shouts the ump
"Make sure to secure your Cup
as you approach the mound,
been told this little girls throw is faster
than the speed of sound,
"She'll leave you writhing
in awful pain upon the ground!"
The catchers mask is fastened in place
Perspiration beads break out on my face
My team mates expect me to place
How can I lose to a girl, with grace
I'll never be able to show my face
"Play Ball", is called, "Strike One"
This suddenly doesn't feel like fun
Muffled shouts within the crowd
"You suck", is all I hear quite Loud
Her team cheers effervescently proud
In a split second, Whiz," Strike Two"
Our catcher falls back from the thrust
Up in the air is his shoe, pretty sure I am threw
If I don't hit the next one, it's a definite bust
I think I even heard my grandmother cuss
This last shot at bat will determine the game
The scores are tied, no innings remain
My palms are sweaty upon the bat as I get ready
Oddly, I think that girl is pretty, as I hold my bat steady
As the crowd is chanting, my breath heavily panting
In the fastest whoosh I've ever Seen,
" Strike Three"
That pretty girl is now The towns Baseball Queen
Yup, So it's a tie, and I'm not exactly sure why
But at the pizza party tonight that shall follow
After a big gulp and unusual pride swallow
I'm gonna ask that pretty girl to Marry Me !
Let’s Play Ball
“America’s past time”, but as a child, I could have played baseball for a lifetime.
12092015 (Contest, One Liner 4) PS; Silent One
His brown eyes gazed so pleadingly,
"Mama, please play with the ball and me."
"Dear Son, I would like to play with you,
but I have so many things to do."
He turned away without a word,
and it's been long since I have heard
"Mama will you play with me?"
If I could go back to used to be,
I'd ignore the dishes and unmade bed,
to play with my precious child instead.
Made beds and done dishes he doesn't recall,
but rather when he and I played ball.
Floors stay to be cleaned another day.
Too soon his childhood has gone away.
I no longer am his all in all
and hear no longer, "Mama let's play ball."
Written for Debbie's contest Won First place
PLAY BALL
So I’m behind the bleachers with Sue Ellen
And we weren’t calculating batting averages
And I says to her baby you’re my home run
I’ve always dreamed about.
I know about first and second base
She said, but what’s third base?
So I used the Abbott and Costello
“Who’s on first” routine to confuse her.
Between innings we had made some progress
But I was anxious to clinch the game
Before some pinch-hitter stepped in.
I wanted to take the pennant.
She hemmed and hawed and delayed
Playing ball with me : what we had here
“Was a failure to communicate” ,
And the home run seemed out of reach.
Till there was a hush from the bleachers.
Above us the voice, seeming of god,
Instructed her as what to do.
It said, “Play Ball !”
That was my first turn at bat
And the home run was delivered -
As the crowd above cheered wildly,
I believe, for me.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Written for Debbie Guzzi's Contest "Play Ball"
Smiles from me to you,
making you happy not blue.
Friendship we can praise,
as we enjoy sunny days.
My puppy is tan and small,
she likes to sleep in mommy's shawl.
She loves to play with her ball,
while I play with my doll.
We like to play outside,
where she will run and hide.
I will put her in my doll buggy for a ride,
her smile becomes a mile wide.
Now is it time to go inside,
dinner is ready with chicken that has been fried.
I make funny--did I make you laugh or smile today,
Your eyes light up with a big bright smile-no more gray,
My day's work is now all done-I am off to play.
Ahh, the boys of summer are back,
Getting ready for some baseball to play.
And while I wish I could join them out there,
That dream has long past from another day.
Yet I know I'll watch the games often,
Looking to glimpse some memories of old.
Since my love of the game is deep seeded,
As home runs and no-hitters are told.
Being a lifelong fan of the game,
I've enjoyed the history & growth to maintain.
While it has evolved and gone through some changes,
Its roots have essentially stayed the same.
The growth seen in the game has been global,
As many countries now enjoy the sport & teams.
While millions are entertained by watching,
Allowing escape from the hardships and regimes.
Through the popular attraction that's grown,
It's become big business with dollars to match.
But I'll always enjoy the simple pleasures,
Whether it's a stolen base, or someone making a great catch.
Baseball
First sign of spring
A scented leather joy
Wafting over a childhood dream
Two on, two out, three balls, two strikes, one swing
The sound the silence, the drama
Oh joyous memory
Awaken me
Baseball
©1/15/2023
Pen a Rictameter, Hopes of Spring’s Return Poetry Contest
M. L. Kiser Sponsor
(howmanysyllables)
Baseball is just around the corner
A very long block till the temps get warmer
Surely can't wait
Who's at the plate
“Play Ball” can be heard from border to border