DERRICK HERD

PD:2 MRS.LOVE

BASEBALL

BALL (ROBERT HEEMSTRA)

That feeling when you step to plate,Knowing it's some type of fate.Looking at an open grass,With three bases you need to pass.

Grasping life by the hand,Time to take this with a grand slam!Stepping to home,A swing with a small groan.

I watch as the ball got plastered,As I ran faster and faster.Slide to second!Drop the ball!Steal the third!Good call.

It's when I stare at home,My mind fixates to a drone.There went the "CLING",As my legs began to sing.

Home I go,It's the more I know.The cheers abrupt,But die when we know it's not enough.

BALL ANALYSIS

• THIS POEM HAS RHYME. THE RHYME IS END RHYME AND ALSO APROXIMATE RHYME BECAUSE THEY DON’T ALL MATCH PERFECTLY.

• ASSONANCE IS ALSO USED IN THIS POEM WHEN THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES THE BALL OFF THE BAT. THE AUTHOR USED “CLING!” TO SHOW THE SOUND OF THE BALL OFF THE BAT.

• I CHOSE THIS POEM BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WHILE AT THE PLATE AND PLAYING BASEBALL. THIS POEM IS DESCRIBING THE FELINGS AND EMOTION THROUGHOUT AN ATBAT AND WHILE ON THE BASEPATH.

THE BALLPARK BRIAN FRISCH

The bat cracks, as clean as the breakof a ripe limb from a douglas fir.Under the lights, the arc of the ball in flightdecorates the night sky. Shamrock green grass, freshly cut,leaving lines as sharp as a checkerboard.This is a lawn. Precise. It standsas erect and proud as a four-star general salutinghis heroic men and women with a tear in his eye. The stadium itself, attractiveas a one-hundred-year-old Cathedral in a city where the white money isgoing...going...gone.For these majestic parks are not limited to just baseball. Grandmothers are happy here.They become newborn children who never left their crafted rooms.Here they can see the most perfectly paintedclear blue ceiling. Oh, what's the score you say?Ask grandma, she'll probably know.But baseball is the last thing on my mind.

BALLPARK ANALYSIS• This poem shows alliteration in the line “going…going…gone.”

• The first two lines show a metaphor comparing the crack of a bat and break of a douglas fir.

• I chose this poem because of the detail and it went great with my topic. This poem had a special image to it.

WHERE IM FROM(MICHAEL KUMAR)

I am from center field, From where the rich green grass and the warm brown dirt meet. I am from the place where champions are made, andlegends are born.I am from the drive to succeed and the fear of failure.

I am from where players made footsteps too deep to fill,From the same turf legends and DiMaggio and Mantle, and where The Say Hey Kidmade his famous catch.I am from the roar of the fans and the chatter of my teammates.

I'm from the place where I feel comfortable, and I am determined to stay here.I'm from the place where left meets right and I am ready.I am home.

WHERE IM FROM ANALYSIS

• This poem shows imagery of the baseball field full of screaming fans.• Also shows assonance in the “green grass” line• I chose this poem because it pertained to the theme of baseball. It was

also a great image of a baseball atmosphere.

THE INVISIBLE STRING RON SALISBURY

The Invisible String

Its just an invisible stringThat bindsA ball and two mitts,That bindsA boy and his Dad,Incredibly etched,A memory, a bond. Its just and invisible stringIn a field of dreams.It’s Shoeless Joe,And a man who longsFor that shared momentThat every kid needs,That every Dad needs. Its just an invisible stringThat gives lifeTo a piece of horsehide,And two gloves,In two handsThat long to grasp, to reassure,To confirmA loveThat lasts longer than the timelessness;Last crack of a bat.

ANALYSIS• ALLUSION IS USED TO GO BACK IN TIME WITH THE GAME OF BASEBALL.

• I CHOSE THIS POEM BECAUSE IT RELATES TO THE RELATIONSHIPS OF SONS AND DADS BONDED THROUGH THE GAME AND HISTORY OF BASEBALL.

HOMAGE TO JOHNNY BENCH CHAD WEEKS

The greatest catcher ever wasWith one hand 'hind his backWas Johnny Bench. Yep, that's the buzz. And never did he slack.

He broke ole Yogi's home run hits. "The Little Colonel"'s claim:Three hundred eighty-nine and getsThe Baseball Hall of Fame.

His Cincinnati Reds they wonFour pennants in the LeagueAnd twice the Series! OK.'s sonHad baseball under siege

He had big hands and he could holdIn one hand seven ballsBut more than this, he speaks, I'm toldAt charities and malls;

Awards for college athletes;He writes and sings on pitch. While teamwork makes a job complete,A dream made Johnny Bench.

ANALYSIS• Rhyme is used in this poem. The last word in every other line rhymes together.

• Also approximate rhyme is used in the last stanza pitch and bench.

• I chose this poem because Johnny bench is a legend and also because he was a great inspiration to baseball and people off the field.

LITTLE LEAGUE STRIKEOUTS AINT PRETTY ROBERT L HARRISON

With sadness I reportabout the last ballyour son bought

It was both high and lowand curved beforethe final blow

It was flying fasta white meteorthat he let pass

And so I say with pitythat this scenewas not too pretty

For even I did cryafter he letthat ball go by

ANALYSIS• Rhyme scheme is used in this poem. Every other line rhymes like pity and pretty.

• They use a metaphor comparing the ball to a flying meteor.

• I chose this poem because everyone strikes out and its very common. There is also a lot of detail in this poem.

DOUBLE PLAY PAUL B. JANECZKO

The runner isa non-swimmer in deep water,inching from the bagtimidreturning in alarm. The shortstop and second basemanare schoolboyspassing secretsbehind the pitcher's back. Moving before the pitch,the shortstop dashes to the bagglove up in anticipationas runner andpeg from his partner at secondapproach.He drags the toe of his right shoeacross the bagas the ball slaps homeand he leapsto avoid the spikes. Resting in airsafely above the slidelong enough to throw to firstbefore he tumbles to the dirt,his eyes on the ballthe mittuntilthe umpire's confirmation of perfection.

ANALYSIS• This poem shows allusion.

• The poem alludes to the great image of turning a double play. The quickness and perfection of the play.

• I chose this poem because turning a double play is one of the greatest feelings in baseball the swiftness to end a rally.

THE PITCHER ROBERT FRANCIS

His art is eccentricity, his aimHow not to hit the mark he seems to aim at, His passion how to avoid the obvious,His technique how to vary the avoidance. The others throw to be comprehended. HeThrows to be a moment misunderstood. Yet not too much. Not errant, arrant, wild,But every seeming aberration willed. Not to, yet still, still to communicateMaking the batter understand too late.

ANALYSIS• This poem has approximate rhyme.

• The last stanza willed and wild are examples of approximate rhyme.

• I chose this because a pitcher is a great key in baseball the battle between him and the hitter is one that cant be compared.

THE PITCH OF A LIFETIMEROBERT PETIT

His life had boiled down to this one momentNerves shaking but could never show it

A lifetime of practice to get to this fall dayAlways saying goodbye & never getting to stay

The half dirt covered plate at his feetAs thousands waiting to leave their seat

Years of not knowing if he could ever get hereHe looks up and his mind never this clear

Cheers all around fade awayToday was his day

He has but a single taskThe question yet to be asked

His stance he choose to switchAnd from a knee here comes the pitch

She said yes

ANALYSIS• This poem inlcudes many couplets. The ending words match with the following.

• Feet seat are examples of the couplet in this poem.

• I chose this poem because a pitch is a wonderful thing from the fastball to the curve ball.

• This poem describes an at bat very well.

THE GAME OF BASEBALL IS PLAYED ON A FIELD ROBERT PETIT

Spring training games were “PLAYED” before the start. The teams are banking “ON " going all the way. To make it through “A” long season, you’ve got to have heart. Players, lets take the “FIELD” and play ball today.The grass is green on the field today. Another baseball season is under way. “Play ball” is what the umpires will say.

We all cheer for “THE” team of our choice. It is a favorite “GAME” throughout the nation. The stands are composed “OF " many a resounding voice. We give our “BASEBALL” heroes a standing ovation. The month of April “IS” the beginning of the season.

ANALYSIS• This poem shows rhyme. Every other line rhymes together.

• I chose this poem because is describes the game of baseball better than anything.

• Baseball is Americas pastime and should always be loved.

COMPETITIVENESS IS RED AN BLUE

IT TASTE LIKE SWEAT AND TEARS

IT SOUNDS LIKE CHEERS OF THE FANS

AND SMELLS LIKE HUSTLE

IT LOOKS LIKE A FULL TROPHY CASE

AND MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE A WINNER

Five senses

JUST BECAUSEJUST BECAUSE IM STEPHEN

DON’T HATE ME BECAUSE IM GORGEOUS

DON’T JUDGE ME

STILL, MAKE ME PLEASED

JUST BECAUSE IM STEPHEN

IT DOESN’T MEAN I CANT LOVE

IT DOESN’T MEAN IM SINGLE

IT DOESN’T BLIND ME

JUST BECAUSE IM STEPHEN

STILL, I AM RIPPED

BUT I CANT FLEX

JUST BECAUSE IM STEPHEN

I AM A WINNER

Credo

I believe in the game

The rules

The gods

The legends

The ball

But the players are cheating and savage

I believe in honesty

I believe in swagger

I believe in strength

And I believe in the ability to pursue a dream

Baseball boys

Long flowing hair, great abs

White pants cleats on feet

Hat over head with sweat

Girls, girls everywhere

Tanka

Walking on sunshine Burns the feet and expels great heat

Blistering blisters

Haiku