This Poem was Submitted By: Paul R Lindenmeyer On Date: 2005-08-19 15:05:05 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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There's No Place Like...........

You're in the ninth,  last bats for them    and you're still up by two. The mantra  of third basemen,   "Preparation-Follow thru." Repeating,  "Men on first and third.    Two out, we're up by two." The winning run  is at the plate,   a hit could get them two. Hit hard a quick throw  across to first,   a thought on what to do. A chopped slow roller   down the line     now makes it's way to you. Quick charge the ball,  sprint in full speed   the runner by your side. Control of task  the modum here,   both eyes are on the prize. The lunge, the grab,  seams raised, good grip,   as he begins his slide. That glove is low,  afront the plate,   the dust begins to rise. You load, take aim,   then freeze the frame,     and now you're all alone. The "Pop!!",   concurrance by the ump,      "Yerr Out!!!" No place like home...

Copyright © August 2005 Paul R Lindenmeyer

Additional Notes:
Always like "Casey at the Bat", except for the ending. My favorite team, the Angels of course..


This Poem was Critiqued By: Latorial D. Faison On Date: 2005-09-05 12:15:32
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.95122
Paul, I found myself feeling as though I was at the game as I read this poem. It was perfectly written. With each line, the momentum was building up and I found myself reading the poem very fast and with vigor as it probably should have been read. How on earth did you do it? (smile). I'm not much of a baseball fan, but my husband is, and I played for my team in highschool. I think you've done a tremendous job with this poem. The wording is so on point and is an additive to the reading of the poem. Great job. Latorial www.latorialfaison.com


This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2005-09-04 12:47:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Paul, this is such a stirring piece. Baseball, if one cannot understand the movie "field of dreams" then one cannot understand the impact of Casey on my young baseball striving mind and soul. As I read this piece, the action went forward full speed, till you slowed us down with a break out of the action, the thoughts flying a thousand miles an hour, and the action then restored. I don't know about anyone else, but I felt this piece, and each piece that made up the epic, that is baseball. Excellent writing!!
This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-09-03 09:12:28
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.38235
Paul, before I read your additional note I likened this to Casey. Well crafted with good rhythm and very entertaining. My favourite team before the Expos fell...well of course Toronto being the loyal Canadian I am. And yes there is no place like home...you got me by surprise when I learned it was about baseball.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2005-08-24 12:37:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Paul, Unfortunately, this exciting game doesn't have even a small share of the sports pie back here in India but I appreciate and respect its huge place in the lives of my fellow-men in America. I believe that baseball is as popular in Cuba too. Having a decent knowledge about American culture, I am also aware of the cultural importance of the game and how inter-twined it is in the lives of the people there. As such, this piece came as a very welcome treat and eventhough I am not completely familiar with the rules of the game, I feel the energy in this and can sense the stands erupting like a volcanic burst, full of excitement and anticipation. Of course, if all sports commentators were as good at poetry as you are, I'd tune into their commentaries no matter what the sport is :-) Coming to the poetics of the piece, I marvel at the way you have set the strucutre of the flow in perfect synchronisation with an 'energetic', 'bubbly' theme such as this. Your incorporation of well executed slant rhyme adds to the skippy, vivacious beat. A theme such as this must never be taken lightly, for years down the line, future generations will be curious about the ways and lives of our current generation. Poems like this will serve as frozen moments in time that shed light on the times of today and a look-back on history and one of its greatest sports- baseball. Wonderfully written!! Take care, Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Steven Scheffer On Date: 2005-08-23 22:33:56
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.66667
Paul, Dude, any man that can sing with the monks and get down dirty with the grand old game is a friend of mine! A very pleasant and fun read. Which it was meant to be. A very nice break, both artistically and by way of "message," as I go down the ole list of new poems - an ever delicious oxymoron. Very enjoyable. Mark
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2005-08-20 16:09:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Paul: Makes sense that you'd chose the "Angels" for your ethereal side. But the team, when you are in Mariner's territory? Ah, well! ;)It's a good poem, and I read quickly to see what happened. You do baseball narration really, really well. And it was more fun than watching my team lose. I can never sit there and watch, even if the game is lively, as it moves too slow so I do other things around the house and peek in. I've always just missed the best play, when Ichiro gets a runner in by hitting a fly, or other action. The way you've shown the ump's nasty "Yerr Out!!!" is priceless, as is the humor here. You are obviously a close observer of the game and loyal to your team, earlier comments aside. Your meter is grand -- "The lunge, the grab, seams raised, good grip, as he begins his slide." So visual and paced with the action. Really great read. Thanks once more. Best to you, Joanne
This Poem was Critiqued By: Turner Lee Williams On Date: 2005-08-19 21:34:53
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.88889
Paul--Written like scribe may have played this game before-smile. The baseball vernacular is tight with all the right moves (presented by a true fan of the game). I found myself racing to the next line in order to see how this played out. Excellent suspense and insider knowledge of apt nuances for this seasonal piece. Over all vivid imagery of an exciting ballgame, especially the great ending; "The "Pop!!", *concurrence* by the ump, "Yerr Out!!!" No place like home..." This post show baseball in a favorable light as America's greatest past time! Thanks for sharing-go Angels. TLW
This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2005-08-19 20:28:19
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Paul, What a fun base ball game you took me to! This poem is so alive and full of action in every line that I found myself racing through it to see how it turned out...and I am glad it turned out well. I have read so many sad poems and some that are just plain creepy that this one is a welcome respite. What a terrible place it is for a team to be..ninth inning, runners on first and third...they are up to bat and you are up by two..but that won't matter...a well placed hit and three come in and it is all over...too bad...you lose. But not our guy...he lunges, grabs, hangs on as the runner slides...he keeps his glove low as dust begins to rise...he loads, takes aim, then freezes the frame (I love these lines) and now all alone...then the POP and 'yerr out....no place like home. Wow...what a game and even more so since our guy wins! Love the poem and also the title...I had no idea it would be about base ball when I read the title...good job...and thanks for taking me to the game I enjoyed it immensely! Peace...Marilyn
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-08-19 19:17:34
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.83333
Paul, First let me get the basics out of the way......great structure, easy flow, imagery and thought flow smoothly without a pause. As to the contente......YES, I like it, this was a great read, I could see the players, the tenseness, a bit of presperation, I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the play. Now I'm with the crowd, cheering and smelling the dust in the air, and I feel my heart racing at the excitement. This was a truly exciting read and very enjoyable....thank you for this offering. I'm not too keen on alot of sports but I do like baseball......Kudos Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-08-19 16:00:08
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.76923
Love to watch my grandson play ball and he plays many different positions but mostly pitcher and he is good.......this has brought many memories to mind , good structure, word flow, images never failing to run with that ball.........no one likes to hear Your Out except the other team.........thanks for posting and sharing this with us, a great time of the year to play ball.......anytime, just ask the children of all ages.....God Bless, Claire Great title too.....
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