Centerfield Series...Home Run Poem by Juan Olivarez

The first pitch hovered o'er the plate,
And he thought, ' I'm gonna rock his world.'
But the bottom fell out, ' for love of Kate, '
'Strike one' the umpire said, his hair started to curl.

The second pitch was way outside,
And he barely stopped his swing in time.
He knew he would be taken for a ride,
If he didn't start to use his mind.

He saw the third pitch leave the hand,
And he guessed slider once again.
But it burned right by his granite stance,
Strike two, fastball, oh my, the pain.

He knew he had to get a grip,
He was looking too much like a clown.
The fourth pitch came and took a dip,
And he watched it as it hit the ground.

O.k. he's mine, I got him now,
He's going to come right down the plate.
I've got his number, and I know how,
It's another fastball no debate.

He saw the next ball clearly come,
But it drifted way inside.
Fastball I knew it, come on, get some,
I'm going to take you for a ride.

Three and two, full count my friend,
Down the middle, I know for sure.
One more fastball, And it's your end,
Out of the park, don't be demure.

Down the middle, fastball gotta be,
It's headed right over the plate.
But it looks kinda slow to me,
Gotta swing now, can't hesitate.

Oh my God, he threw a change,
Thats why it was slowing down.
Dad nabb it, I just can't find the range.
I guess I did look like a clown.

'Strike three you're out, 'the umpire screams,
'Awwh shut up, get soaked in beer, '
'What did you say' the umpire asks,
'Thats what I thought, you're outta here.'

8/8/10 Alton Texas