by Daryl Ann Schietinger
I've never been good with bats and balls,
But I wanted to play on the team.
My stomach gets queasy when I hear the ump's calls.
I'm the worst baseball player ever seen.
There's not much cheering when I step up to the plate.
My palms get sweaty and my knees start to shake.
My coach says my swing is always too late.
I know another out's what I'll make.
I try hard to hit like the other guys.
I swing and miss three times in a row.
I guess it would help if I'd open my eyes
And if when I swung I wasn't so slow.
On the field with my glove I don't have much luck.
"Get the ball!" they'd scream. "Throw it to first
base!"
But when balls come to me all I do is duck.
Then I run for it and fall flat on my face.
Runs would score, I couldn't bear to see.
I'd hide my face in my glove and pray.
The other team is scoring because of me.
Please don't let anymore balls come my way.
Once in the middle of a game I started to dance,
My coach yelled for me to stay still.
I knew if I did I'd just wet my pants.
The next time mom says go before the game I will.
Then came the final game of the season;
it was bottom of the last inning.
The bases were loaded, we were down to two outs.
I was last up to bat and the other team was winning,
On my teammates' faces there was nothing but pouts.
I practiced my swing then stepped up to the plate.
The pressure was on and I started to sweat.
The first pitch was thrown and I swung too late.
I would strike out for sure would be anyone's bet.
The pitcher then wound up and threw me a curve.
I stood there not knowing what to do.
So I started to swing when I saw the ball swerve.
Then I heard the ump shout, "Strike two!"
This is it I thought, one more strike and I'm out.
I've just got to connect that's all.
"It's okay, you can do it!" I heard my coach shout.
My eyes were wide open, my bat I held tight.
I heard the catcher punching his mitt.
I swung at the ball with all of my might,
And then finally I got a base hit.
I ran fast to first as I heard my team roar.
My hit cleared all of the bases.
I got three RBI's that evened the score.
Now there were smiles on my teams faces.
I made it to second running as fast as I could.
It felt like it all was a dream.
Maybe one day I can be really good,
and one of the best players to play on the team.
The next batter up hit the ball high in the air.
I didn't know what I should do.
I heard, "Run!" so I did with no time to spare.
They missed the ball but I had no clue.
"Keep running!" my coach yelled so that's what I did.
Then everything moved in slow motion.
As I got closer to home I got down and slid,
Then my team caused quite a commotion.
The umpire yelled, "Safe!" as I laid on home plate.
I just scored the tie-breaking run!
My team ran and jumped on me to celebrate.
They yelled and screamed, "WE WON!!!"
So if you're just like me and can't get a hit,
Or the balls seem to all get away,
Don't give up, stick with it, if you like it don't quit.
It can all happen for you one day.
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