The pop of the fastball into the catcher’s mitt
The catcher’s snap throw to third
The crack of the bat from a great hit
Snap, crack(le) and pop were part of baseball first
What is it about baseball that makes is so great...
Is it hitting a hundred mph fastball while at the plate?
Is It that amazing feeling to field a lightning ground ball
Or the leaping catch-made that was over the wall
Hitting home runs and clearing the bases
Sure, puts a smile on your teammates faces
In baseball you can steal a base and not get in trouble
Statistics prove that most hitters all have a double
Fans get excited they scream and they shout...
to the umpires that call- "Safe or Yer out!
One, two, three outs in an inning
The managers' done well... if his team is winning
The benchwarmers wait, in hopes to get an at-bat
And the pitcher gets a (K) and a tip of the hat...
from teammates or players on the other sides team
Hitting grand-slams is a pinch-hitters dream
But the best thing about baseball to me, I must say
Is it's a beautiful game that all ages can play
I was sixty-five years old when I finally retired
Well, actually it was my brother, (the manager) ...
Who said "I was fired"
A blinding fastball, more launched than thrown,
approached the corner of the strike zone.
A bat responded, just as fast.
The crowd was deafened by the ensuing blast.
On a mound, there lay dead
a man in uniform - a hole cut neatly through his head.
I sat this morning by the sea,
just some seagulls in my company,
as I stared into the blue infinity.
Once, I would swim and splash and ride
the waves with sea nymphs and nereids.
Now, I can only watch the spray,
but it seems like yesterday.
In those days, though I was small
I could hit a curve or a fastball
in a beautiful arc over the wall.
Once, it sailed beyond the grass
and broke the neighbor's window glass.
Oh, how we would run and play,
on the fields of yesterday.
Like every youth, I soon grew,
and discovered something new,
her laughing eyes I would pursue.
Once, there was a first.
I thought my heart would burst.
Oh, to feel that way today,
ah, but that was yesterday.
As life's repeating cycles spun,
and what had ended had again begun,
I would have a healthy son.
Once, he saw his first butterfly in awe,
and now he practices the law,
while I am old and grey,
as I long for yesterday.
In a hundred years, in the early dawn,
another man will stare upon
the sea, but we will all be gone.
Once, when the future is like the past,
and precious life, folks hold onto fast,
all new people will say,
"It seems like yesterday."
A man with propellorized hat
Stepped up with his beanie to bat.
The fastball blew by,
Away he did fly,
He hadn’t accounted for that.
Blustering snowballs, Batman,
it's cold enough to blubber
blast the titanic iceberg
from its frozen handshake.
But snowballs that ain’t
formed; fine powdery dust
billowing ‘neath the core, of not hell,
but the moat of the ice queen’s castle.
Frozen icicles, Batman,
drip from nostrils and lips,
welcoming a brew of nog to noggin,
or toddy for the torrential reality
of fastball bugs for tethered sleeves -
the season’s green sleeves.
A yuck of a holiday for some.
A hiccup and cheers to a New Year.
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
There is the wind up. Here comes the pitch.
Fastball, slider, curve, but which is which?
Bases are loaded, it’s up to you…
Swing for the fences! Do what you do!
No one to help you. The ump is blind.
There’s so much pressure. Two runs behind.
You stand alone on the precipice.
Give it your best shot! A swing… a miss…
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
So many hecklers… the catcher laughs.
It’s just his job to try to distract.
You are all warmed up, ready to go…
Swing for the fences! Do what you know!
The fans are yelling, calling you names.
It’s life or death now, not just a game.
Millions are counting on your strong wrist.
Eye on the ball but… another miss…
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
Lean in closer, maybe you’ll get hit.
Just some pain from an errant pitch.
Forget that! Focus! Let’s make the news.
Swing for the fences! What will you lose?
You lured the pitcher into your trap.
One more second everyone will clap.
You’re in the zone now, there’s no defense.
Over the plate… Now Over the fence!
Hey! Batter! Hey, hey batter!
Hey! Batter, swing!
Alan was at a baseball park and caught
Andy's fastball, playing catch. Unable
to call his pal Sam tapping a bottle
cola. 'Twas faraway, at last Sam, got
aware of Alan, bad reason, and bought
Alan a cola. Autumn, leaves falling,
all ages are happy--all things pleasing.
An apt man arranged a lady he brought
on a boat placed on a lake for rowing
as Lady Ann and yachtsman Aaron plan
marriage. June a fact, January fast,
seasonal feast pleasantries ball dancing,
able seaman, Aaron, he's a Captain.
Anchors aweigh bon voyage that will last.
Age is over rated
I went from cute and cuddly
To terribly two
In the flip of a calendar
From being inquisitive
To being nosey
From pre-teen
To A TEENAGER
Meandered
Through the military
Into construction
And against the Vegas spread
Married
And became a father
AGE
That sly bastard
Has made me
A grandfather
And a great grandfather
I have taught them all
To spit, to curse,
To love
Even the seemingly
Un-lovable
Age has slowed me down
Stolen my fastball
It has not been able
To wither my wit
Stifle my laughter
Or contain my enthusiasm
I still laugh
Too loud and too often
Too frequently at the “wrong” things
The children and grandchildren
Share their “Papa stories”
Most include mud puddles
A few scars from the jungle bars
H U G E….ice cream sundaes
Getting hit by a baseball
He threw to show you
It wouldn’t hurt that much
To get hit by the pitch
I may be getting “old”
But age had better be ready
When I round third
Headed for home
He’d better be holding the ball
With both hands
Cuz there will be
A collision
Before I’m
Called… “OUT”
Pelted with such incredible force
one hundred and ten on that fastball;
Harder to dodge than anything in sports;
Foggy you’re lost within a pitfall
sweet nothings condensed on your cheek;
That whisper is the be all end all;
Flooding you and now you’re left weak,
rambling and gambling placing bets;
You’re lost toting a winning streak;
Confused and so happily distressed,
Stuck on lips coated in liquid bullets.
I've never read a baseball sonnet
Nor thrown a curve with mustard on it
Yet when the umpire shouts 'Play Ball'
My heart takes off like a rising fastball
THE BIG TRAIN
IS A COMING.
HE'S STEAMING
IN TOWARDS TOWN.
ONE THING IS
FOR CERTAIN.
HE'LL MOW
SOME BATTERS DOWN.
NOW WE'RE
TALKING BASEBALL.
WHEN BASEBALL
WAS THE GAME.
A LEGENDARY
PITCHER.
WHO RESIDES
IN THE HALL OF FAME.
HE WAS SAID
TO HAVE A FASTBALL
THAT HISSED
AS IT PASSED BY.
ACCORDING TO
OLE TY COBB
AND I DON'T BELIEVE
HE'D LIE.
HE STRUCK OUT
MANY BATTERS
THE MOST OF
IN HIS TIME.
TAKE THE TIME
TO READ HIS STATS.
THEY'LL BLOW AWAY
YOUR MIND.
ONE CAN
JUST IMAGINE.
STANDING
AT THE PLATE.
THINKING YOU CAN
HIT THE PITCH.
JUST END UP
SWINGING LATE.
WHEN IT COMES
TO SHUTOUTS.
IT SURE MIGHT
CROSS YOUR MIND.
HE TIED
OR LED THE A.L.
A RECORD
SEVEN TIMES.
TALK ABOUT
HIS EARNED RUNS.
THAT NUMBER
SEEMS TO GLOW.
TWO POINT SEVENTEEN
MY FRIEND.
IN CASE
YOU DID NOT KNOW.
TALKING ABOUT
WALTER JOHNSON.
THE GREATEST
OF HIS TIME.
HIS LEGENDARY
DAYS OF PLAY
IS WHAT MAKES
BASEBALL SHINE.
06032020.
Throw it, roll it,
Bounce it, pass it
Dribble it, bobble it
Kick it, toss it, miss it
Pitch it, hurl it
Heave it, sling it
Fastball, slider
Sinker, knuckler, curve
Underhand, sidearm
Overhand, 3/4 arm
Whiffle ball, tennis ball
Forehand, backhand, serve
Baseball, basketball
Football, volleyball
Golf ball, tennis ball
Hardball, softball, swerve
Matters not what sport you do
Or what result's deserved
Just go out and do your best
And play the game with verve
I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR THAT NOLAN RYAN.
IN EVERY SINGLE WAY.
I WOULD LOVE TO THINK OF THIS
AS JUST ANOTHER DAY.
NOLAN RYAN IS OLD SCHOOL.
I JUST LOVE THE WAY HE PLAYS.
WHEN THE TWO OF US DO BATTLE,
ONE OF US WILL HAVE TO PAY.
I WON'T LAUGH AT NOLAN RYAN.
NOT EVEN WHEN HE'S WILD.
HE STRUCK ME OUT 3 TIMES SAME GAME,
AND HE NEVER CRACKED A SMILE.
I'VE BEEN KNOWN TO GET SOME HITS,
MANY TIMES TWO OR THREE.
WHEN I HAVE TO FACE THAT NOLAN RYAN,
I NEED TO BE THE BEST THAT I CAN BE.
TONIGHT I HAVE TO FACE THAT CHALLENGE.
I KNOW IT WONT BE EASY.
IF YOUR A FAN SITTING IN THE STANDS TONIGHT.
RYAN'S FASTBALL WILL MAKE IT BREEZY.
THE PITCHER SHAKES OFF ANOTHER SIGN.
I START TO WONDER WHATS ON HIS MIND.
WITH SWEAT RUNNING OFF MY BROW,
I NEED A HIT AND I NEED IT NOW.
BASES LOADED WE'RE DOWN BY THREE.
THE GAMES OUTCOME DEPENDS ON ME.
THE CATCHER RUNS OUT TO THE PITCHERS MOUND.
THEY NEED ME TO HIT IT ON THE GROUND.
I CHECK THE DUGOUT, THEY'RE ALL ON EDGE.
THE INFIELD DEFENSE FORMS A WEDGE.
I STEP BACK IN THE BATTERS BOX.
A FAN SHOUTS OUT, IT'S TIME TO ROCK!
THE TENSION'S THICK AND STARTS TO MOUNT,
BASES LOADED WITH A 3-2 COUNT.
THE PITCHER NOD'S TO CONFIRM THE SIGN.
THEN HE GO'S INTO HIS WIND.
IT'S A FASTBALL, IT LOOKS FAT.
I MAKE CONTACT WITH MY BAT.
CENTER FIELDER STARTS RUNNING BACK.
NOW HE'S ON THE WARNING TRACK.
HE LOOKS UP, IT'S OUTA HERE.
THE CROWD ERUPTS AND START TO CHEER.
ALL MY TEAM MATES SWARM HOME PLATE.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES BASEBALL GREAT.
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