In baseball, this is something we rarely see.
An infielder without any help puts out all three.
He catches the line drive, and steps on second base;
then he tags out the runner at first in a chase.
It's happened only fifteen times in major league history.
I saw it occur in a Phillies game in 1990.
The player who did it was named Mickey Morandini.
// Apologies to all who do not follow the sport of baseball. My team is in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and I wanted to celebrate the occasion //
fans came
big game
they scream
cheer team
the boys
love noise
gloves wield
on field
defense
makes sense
line drive
great dive!
ground ball
close call
third strike
we like!
three outs
coach pouts
down one
need run
fast guy
hits fly
drops in
legs spin
he'll race…
third base
big slide
throw's wide
"He's safe!"
they chafe
sac fly
to tie!
fans roar
at score
game tied
nerves fried
next up:
the pup
young Matt
swings bat
big one…
home run?
don't scoff -
walk off!
team wins
huge grins
our score
was more
our scamps
are champs!
// big thanks to Panagiota who inspired me to do this, also to Brian Strand who invented this form and Jan and Tom who are fun and brilliant advocates of it //
written 1 Oct 2020
Mind Games
…”bottom of the ninth
………”two outs!!
…………………two on
…..three balls
……………two strikes”
“CRACK”
….”.a sinking line drive to left….
……….he moves cat-like across the grass
…………………the game
……………………………….the series….on the line
….chest aching
……….legs burning
…………………he dives……
…..reaching
…………..grasping
………………………..floating
……in the ultimate dream..
………hands caress the ball….
………..tumbling
………………….streaking grass staining his face
………rolling to a stop
…………………the crowd roaring”
…….he squints
…………………….flexes his glove
…………………………………………...hears the crack of the bat
John G. Lawless
11/20/2015
submitted to – Oil Paintings 4&5
sponsor – Eve Roper
There is a lot of responsibility for a shortstop.
Many times, I field the ball on the hop.
As sure as I breathe and am alive,
I often have to snare a hard line drive.
I become a catalyst for a double play.
We must keep the opponents from scoring and save the day.
I field the ball up the middle and throw to first base.
There is no time to think, but react in haste.
To get the runner out, I have no time to waste.
I must get the ball to first with a strong arm.
That way, I can protect our lead from harm.
I must be the team’s wizard with the glove.
It is hard work, but a labor of love.
I lead my team out on the field each day.
When it comes to winning, I must always find a way.
Your deal
Long has the time since my old bones quickly rose
Rose to catch a line drive or to reached a branch in a summer adventure
The days of fast pedaling and skinned knees are all but scars on leather skin
You in
Tires screech in a 57’ Chevy down the main drag
Time lost in malted milkshakes and red cheeked kisses on her father’s porch
Raise you 10
The kings of Wall Street
The king of the sky
Sitting tall in a corner office
All in
Chiseled arms; a nest for a Jr.
Now sag under my cardigan
A burlap knee no longer can bounce a pudgy grandson
I fold
Old eyes survey their kingdom
A king on a stoop
I’m out
Banners swayed to the shimmy, of sprouting springtime rays
As lime lines hugged emerald fields, on America’s favorite day
Youthful faces peaked above leather gloves, of inherited family fun
Sheets of sunshine spilled over ivy walls, of towering home runs
Children cheered the names of heroes, that shadows had crept behind
As old men dawned the numbers of legends, still playing in their mind
Cracker Jacks crunched as hungry eyes, devoured the diamond’s glare
The words “Play Ball!” echoed with the luster, of a rekindled love affair
One crack of the bat, broke a winter long season of seamless strife
As a scorched line drive, was driven into the hope of every fan’s life
A single was stretched into a double, beneath the roar of the crowd
Players dusted off pennant dreams, that slid between the clouds
Opening Day had come and gone, fly balls faded deep into night
But the Boys of Summer will play forever, in memories of delight