Oh, ye of little distance,
the favored stroke of players and pitchers
mired below the Mendoza line,
square up your shoulders,
and your bat, stand with pride
that your dribble down the line
weighs more important than
a towering fly ball out.
What greater call than to sacrifice,
to lay down your life to advance the runner.
You may never be heralded
on the evening sports broadcasts,
nor achieve acclaim within
the halls of Cooperstown.
But true aficionados of the game know
the importance of your achievements
has little to do with length.
So, continue your shortened travels
along the infield grass, confident
it is not necessarily a bad thing
to come up a little bit short.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME