Undefeated Little Leaguers with but one more game to play,
They'd vanquished each opposing team; Thought tonight they'd do the same,
But the Pirates were strong contenders and knew how to play the game.
Innings came and innings went, and barely moved the score,
The pitching machine threw erratically, tired to the core;
And in the darkening dugouts the adversaries sat;
Each waiting for their chance to get up to the bat.
Two runs were scored by one team, then two by the other,
Each child cheered on by dads and sibs and uncles and their mother,
Until inning number four (the normal stopping point),
When the score stayed two to two and tension rocked the joint.
Pacing on the field with a worried look, Coach Todd
Thundered hints to players like the voice of God.
"Now pay attention out there." "Move back in the box a bit,"
With parents praying silently that their kid would get a hit.
In the bottom of the fifth, not ready to be done,
The Pirates -- oh, the Pirates -- scored another run!
Now three to two, our only hope and we would bet on that,
Our kids would have just one more chance at coming up to bat.
Misty raindrops started falling on the bleachers and the crowd;
Our kids stepped up and, one by one, did their best to make us proud.
In the end, children remember more than a game not won
But a fantastic springtime season of mud and rain and fun.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
These players are all winners when all the words are said,
We took our little champions home and put them straight to bed.
(Based on Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer
Taken From the San Francisco Examiner - June 3, 1888)
Taken From the San Francisco Examiner - June 3, 1888)
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2 comments:
Noah had a great year and we were so glad that we got to see him play. He does so well and made us all proud. What a great weekend we had--but I don't know how you guys do it--that schedule for the kids is grueling!! We had a wonderful time, but came home exhausted. Hope we get to do it again. Congrats to the kids on doing such a wonderful job this last weekend. Thanks for inviting us.
We were glad to have you!
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