CATCHER

Summer days in grass and dirt 
Youth expressed in hardballs, bats, and gloves
Remember right field days
Distractions checked boredom
Smelled the new leather mitt
Large enough to hide your eyes
Four-leaf clovers to be discovered
A pop fly near your feet
The throw might cut off a triple
Catcher changed all that
A suit of pride was applied
The mask, chest protector, shin guards
New challenges, special courage
Stand and control after years of mediocrity 
Responsible for every pitch, every base runner
A wall, a magnet, a catapult
Transformed from follower to leader
From a roster name to baseball star
It was a day to step up
Prepared and totally in the game