Baseball: By Nic Varda

Because of the weather, the game was rained out.Baseball is something many of us can’t do without.

It’s the only sport we get to see throughout the summer.When the game is postponed, it usually is a bummer.

 For a few lucky cities, they can close the roof up top.When playing indoors, rain will not make the game stop.

However, in most cities, they have to play outside.When the rain comes down, there is no place to hide.

 It doesn’t matter if your seats are in the lower or upper deck.If the game is called, they will only give you a rain check.

You have to go home if the teams do not play.Just come back when the game is rescheduled another day.

Rainouts: By Robert Pettit

I chose this poem because it describes rain outs perfectly. It takes me back to games that I have been in that have gotten rained out. This poem used rhyme scheme as another poetic device by rhyming the words at the end of the sentence every other line.

I chose this poem because I do the same thing in the batters box when I play. This poem uses onomatopoeia by saying the ball “swooshes” when it goes by third. Simile is also used to compare the ball flying to the wings of a bird. The mood this poem puts me in is to get right up and go play baseball.

This poem is good because it tells how Jackie Robinson changed the game of baseball by breaking the color barrier. This poem uses rhyme scheme by rhyming every line. I chose it because I am a big Jackie Robinson fan and love to read about him. Reading about Jackie Robinson always puts me in a good mood, like this poem did.

The slits of his eyeshidden in shadowsbeneath the bill of his cap,he watches and waitslike a patient catto catch what comeshis way. Crack!and he pouncesupon the ball,his hands flyingabove the grass,flinging his preyon its wayacross the diamondinto a double-play.

Shortstop: By Charles Ghigna

I chose this poem because it describes what a shortstop is all about. It puts me in a mood to go play shortstop. This poem uses simile by comparing the shortstop to a patient cat. Assonance is also used when the poem says “crack” of the bat. This poem makes me think about playing.

The days I miss of the game I love,early Spring, my Mazeroski glove,my baseball cards, clothespins, spokes;on Saturdays, I'd tell my folksthat afternoons I must be gone;I'd race to where the Kelly's lawnmet the endless St Jude's field,where heavy lumber kids would wield,where muddy balls were tossed aroundand mitts were left upon the groundwhen innings changed, so we could share(there weren't enough for all out there).But we played those days with all our mighttil calls to dinner brought the night(in summer, though, we might returnwith bellies full, more fuel to burn).Baseball then was everything -you played it, watched it, had cards to bringdown the street to show your friends,to trade your doubles, though it dependsupon the cards your buddies hadand their condition: good or bad.Some trades you made, improved your stack,those yesterdays that won't be back.My springtime heart's forever full ofthe days I miss of the game I love

The Game I Love: By John McCluskey

I chose this poem because it makes me think about the game of baseball. This was one of my favorite poems because how much it explains everything there is about baseball. This poem uses rhyme scheme by rhyming every line. Also, the author uses metaphor to compare a baseball bat to heavy lumber. The mood this poem puts me in is as relaxed mood because it makes me think of all the fun times I have had playing baseball.

OH, WHERE DID IT GO?THAT NICE FLUID SWING.GONE IN THE SUMMERIT WAS THERE IN THE SPRING.HITTIN' LIKE DIMAGGIOTED AND THE BABE.MAN, I HIT EVERYTHINGWHATEVER THEY GAVE.WELL, "0 FOR 30"THAT'S WHERE I AM NOW.HACKIN' 'N SLASHIN'WAITIN' FOR "POW".MY COACHES AND FRIENDSTHEY ALL SAY THE SAME.KEEP WORKIN', KEEP SWEATIN'YOU'LL BE BACK IN THE GAME.BUT FASTBALLS AND CURVEBALLSKNUCKLES AND CHANGE.THEY ALL SEEM TO VANISHIT ALL SEEMS SO STRANGE.OH, WHAT'S IT LIKETO BE STANDING ON 1st?WHEN I DO HIT THE BALLWILL I STILL HAVE THE BURST?HOURS AND HOURSI'LL SPEND IN THE CAGE.DOING THE RIGHT THINGSCONTROLLING THE RAGE.HE SAID "IT'S NOT EASY"MY FATHER SAID THAT."BUT WORK HARD AND SMILEAND, OH YES, KEEP SWINGING THE BAT.

The Slump: By Chuck Snow

I like this poem because you could not describe a slump in any other way. I felt this poem was directly related to me. This poem uses assonance by saying “Hackin N Slashin”. I feel the tone of this poem is comedy. I feel this because I chuckled while reading it because of how it made a slump sound like such a comical thing when it is the worst thing ever in baseball.

it is a white ball againsta sky so blue it hurts your eyesit is thick grass, so perfectly greenday fading into eveningas cheers fade to silencesoft moonlight on an empty parkfull of promise with morning lightcrack of a bat, the graceful arcflies over the walllittle white thing, focus of all eyes.it is breathing hard in soft evening airrunning the perfect white lineto reach a baseunending promise, untapped possibilitybeyond baseball, beyond a gameit is beauty.

Beyond A Game: By Jewel W.

I chose this because I feel it described the beauty of baseball. Just the way the author describes baseball just makes you think about it. This poem has imagery all over it. First it talks about the sky, and how it is so blue it hurts your eyes. Another example is the soft moonlight shining on the field. All this just makes me think about baseball.

Poised between going on and back, pulledBoth ways taut like a tightrope-walker,Fingertips pointing the opposites,Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ballOr a kid skipping rope, come on, come on,Running a scattering of steps sidewise,How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases,Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic bird,He's only flirting, crowd him, crowd him,Delicate, delicate, delicate, delicate - now!

The Base Stealer: By Robert Francis

I like how this poem makes it seem like you are about to steal a base. Just makes you think about what goes on right before you steal a base. This poem uses alliteration by saying “tingles, teases, and taunts them”. Also, the author uses simile by comparing a base runner to a hovering bird. Lastly, the author uses alliteration by repeating the word delicate many times.

I can feel the tension building,Our team's down by three -Bases are loaded, it's in the ninth inning,The batter stands there like a tree.His steady eyes pierce the man on the mound,Fierce concentration cuts all of the sound.He plants his feet, sure of his might,His grip on the bat, knuckles white.He takes the first strike, high inside corner,The second pitch flew - a wicked chin burner.He could feel the wind but never flinched,The next curved towards his knees,They moved not an inch.A hysterical crowd now wants to see blood -The noise drowns his brainLike a powerful flood.His gut says the pitcher's fast ball will end it,And when it comes, he'll know where to send it.His anger whipped the bat around -A deafening crack, right to the mound.But it was up and away,A four run homer that saved the day!

The Batter: By Kenneth Hoffman

I chose this because I was on the edge of my seat when I read it. The way it describes the situation is great. I couldn’t help but to imagine the situation and being up at bat in that situation . The tone of this poem is urgency. The game is on the line and you cant help but feel nervous for the batter.

The fans in the stands cheeredSun illuminated the field of playAnd the green grass swayed in the wind.The brown dust settled on my white pantsAs the fielders took their stanceThe pitcher glared at me, grinding her teeth.I tapped the aluminum bat against my spikesAnd I took my stance.I shut my mind down andConcentrated only on the whiteSphere hurtling toward meI swung my bat inA perfect archThere was a reassuringTHUNKAs bat mated with ball.A jolt ran up my shouldersAnd I stood transfixedAs the ball flew overThe heads of theInfieldersOutfieldersThe crowd roared asThat perfect ballSailed overThe white, picket fence.

Going Home: By Kristin Betzler

I chose this because it describes what goes on while you are in the box. This poem uses onomatopoeia by saying “thunk” when the ball hit the bat. The poem also uses imagery by saying how the jolt ran up his shoulder while he was in the box. This poem just puts it in perfect words how everyone is before and after the pitch.

Just because I’m a ballplayerdon’t hate me because of my swagdon’t be jealous still, I know I am better than you

Just because I’m a ballplayer It doesn’t mean I’m cockyIt doesn’t mean I sit on my butt all dayIt doesn’t make me mad when soccer players think they are

sweetJust because I’m a ballplayer

still, I am a great athletebut not all see the work I put in

Just because I’m a ballplayer – I know I have what it takes

Just because…

BaseballExciting, intense

Hitting, throwing, swingingBat, hat, shin guards, goals

Running, falling, cryingBoring, stupid

soccer

Diamonte

Baseball is red and white.It tastes like summer. It sounds like fans cheering.And smells like fresh cut grass.It looks like the most fun thing in the world.And makes you feel like nothing else matters.

Credo

Haiku

A long baseball game.Everyone comes to watch.Winning is no choice.

Limerick

There was once a man who played baseball.He was very good and very tall.But he developed a cold.He was forced to be sold.He wrote a book about his fall.