Published: Baseball Almanac (1999)

OH, WHERE DID IT GO?
THAT NICE FLUID SWING.
GONE IN THE SUMMER
IT WAS THERE IN THE SPRING.

HITTIN' LIKE DIMAGGIO
TED AND THE BABE.
MAN, I HIT EVERYTHING
WHATEVER THEY GAVE.

WELL, "0 FOR 30"
THAT'S WHERE I AM NOW.
HACKIN' 'N SLASHIN'
WAITIN' FOR "POW".

MY COACHES AND FRIENDS
THEY ALL SAY THE SAME.
KEEP WORKIN', KEEP SWEATIN'
YOU'LL BE BACK IN THE GAME.

BUT FASTBALLS AND CURVEBALLS
KNUCKLES AND CHANGE.
THEY ALL SEEM TO VANISH
IT ALL SEEMS SO STRANGE.

OH, WHAT'S IT LIKE
TO BE STANDING ON 1st?
WHEN I DO HIT THE BALL
WILL I STILL HAVE THE BURST?

HOURS AND HOURS
I'LL SPEND IN THE CAGE.
DOING THE RIGHT THINGS
CONTROLLING THE RAGE.

HE SAID "IT'S NOT EASY"
MY FATHER SAID THAT.
"BUT WORK HARD AND SMILE
AND, OH YES, KEEP SWINGING THE BAT.

The Slump by Chuck Snow ©

Published: Baseball Almanac (2003)

"Look Mom,
There's a squirrel in the outfield
And he doesn't know which way to go!

Running back and forth
He looks so scared
Oh, he's trying to find a hole."

The game has stopped
All the people are watching
Hoping he'll find his way.

The umpires are smiling
Many fans are cheering
And the boys? Well, they just want to play.

"Dad, he's so quick!
Watch him dart left and right
Look, he's standing next to the wall.

He looks so cute
With his big bushy tail
But Mom, he seems so small!"

"Honey, he's in a tough spot
No doubt about that
But I know he'll pass this test.

Remember,
This is the World Series
And this field was built for the best."

"Oh Dad,
I think he's found a way out
I think he'll be OK!

I'm so glad he's safe
And on his way home."
Then the umpire yelled, "Let's play!"

Squirrel in the Outfield by Chuck Snow ©

Published: Baseball Almanac (2002)

The arc of the eyes
while tracking the sphere
as it travels through space.

Rotating slowly
drifting,floating
at a leisurely pace.

Players and fans watch
holding their breath
as the ball sweetly, gently
nestles in place.

The Glove by Chuck Snow ©