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Alone at the Plate
The Dash
He Is Just a Little Boy
Covering All the Bases
Sportsmanship
ALONE AT THE PLATE
[Inside the front cover of the book, You Can
Teach Hitting, by Dusty Baker]
He pulls on a helmet, picks up the bat,
and walks to the plate, “gotta hit and that’s that.”
The crowd starts to yell, the game’s on the line,
last inning, two outs, the score’s nine to nine.
Dad yells, “Go get it,” Mom wrings her hands,
Coach hollers, “hit it,” but alone there he stands.
Heros are made in seconds such as this,
but he’s just a little boy, what if he should miss ??
Years after the game’s ended and he’s little no more,
will he remember the outcome or even the score ??
No he’ll have forgotten if he was out, hit or a run,
he’ll only look back on his friends and the fun.
So cheer this boy on, alone with his fate,
help him remember with fondness this stand at the plate.
Spend your time wisely and help in his quest
to be a hitter with confidence and always do his best.
And when the game’s over, this boy can stand tall,
for you’ve helped him prepare to give it his all!!
THE DASH
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend,
he referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own ;
the cars…the house…the cash…
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard …
Are there things you’d like to change??
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be a “dash mid-range”)
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile …
Remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash …
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash??
HE IS
JUST A LITTLE BOY
He stands at the plate,
with his heart pounding fast.
The bases are loaded,
the die has been cast.
Mom and Dad cannot help him,
he stands all alone.
A hit at this moment,
would send the Team home.
The ball meets the plate,
he swings and he misses.
There’s a groan from the crowd,
with some boos and some hisses.
A thoughtless voice cries,
strike out the bum.
Tears fill his eyes,
the game’s no longer fun.
So open your heart,
and give him a break.
For it’s moments like this,
a man you can make.
Please keep this in mind,
when you hear someone forget.
He is just a little boy,
and not a man yet.
COVERING
ALL THE BASES
A little boy was overheard talking to himself
as he strode through his backyard,
Baseball cap in place, while toting ball and bat.
“I’m the greatest baseball player in the world”, he said proudly.
Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung and missed.
Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to
himself, “I’m the greatest player ever!!”
He swung at the ball again, and again he missed.
He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball carefully.
Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said,
“I’m the greatest baseball player who ever lived!!”
He swung the bat hard and missed the ball yet again.
“Wow!!”, he exclaimed. “What a pitcher!!”
SPORTSMANSHIP
SPORTSMANSHIP is a term universally used when referring to ethical
attitude and principals of conduct in connections with athletes and sports
in general. Actually, sportsmanship is an attitude or an ideal based upon
what is courteous and fair put into action. It demands the contest or game
shall be played according to both the letter and spirit of the rules.
Basically, sportsmanship requires honesty in play, courtesy in conduct,
respect for authority, consideration of others and the acceptance of the
results of the contest with restraint in victory and dignity in defeat. It
applies to all participants whether they be participating players,
participating Coaches or participating spectators.
SPORTSMANSHIP is an uncomplicated attitude or ideal. Attitudes simply are
exemplified in behavior. Sportsmanship goes beyond the requirements of
agreements, rules, accepted standards and normal procedures.
Clifford B. Fagan
National Federation
[The WFBL encourages all its Players, Coaches and Spectators to practice
good sportsmanship, which will only make the games of Baseball and
Softball that much more enjoyable for all!!]
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