Best Fastball Poems
Age is over rated
I went from cute and cuddly
To terribly two
In the flip of a calendar
From being inquisitive
To being nosey
From pre-teen
To A TEENAGER
Meandered
Through the military
Into construction
And against the Vegas spread
Married
And became a father
AGE
That sly bastard
Has made me
A grandfather
And a great grandfather
I have taught them all
To spit, to curse,
To love
Even the seemingly
Un-lovable
Age has slowed me down
Stolen my fastball
It has not been able
To wither my wit
Stifle my laughter
Or contain my enthusiasm
I still laugh
Too loud and too often
Too frequently at the “wrong” things
The children and grandchildren
Share their “Papa stories”
Most include mud puddles
A few scars from the jungle bars
H U G E….ice cream sundaes
Getting hit by a baseball
He threw to show you
It wouldn’t hurt that much
To get hit by the pitch
I may be getting “old”
But age had better be ready
When I round third
Headed for home
He’d better be holding the ball
With both hands
Cuz there will be
A collision
Before I’m
Called… “OUT”
Bat, ball, and glove, a sacred rite of spring
Timeless afternoons of joy shared by all
Everyone gets a chance to give a swing
To meet the challenge: putting bat on ball.
Stretch, windup, and pitch, a flaming fastball
Hitter gives it flight with resounding crack
Outfielder’s eyes wide, then pedaling back
Jubilant bat toss, he breaks into run
Pitcher’s shoulders droop, his jaw going slack
Outfielder against fence, it’s a home run!
4/10/16
I can watch them again,
grown men at a children's game,
the glory of the Show
on the TV screen.
For a while
I couldn’t watch,
knowing
I’d been close.
A phenom
Double A at 18
90+ fastball,
but it didn’t move.
And in Triple A
and spring training
for the Show
they ate it up.
When I tried harder
my arm blew up
rotator cuff - tendinitis
epicondylar fasciatus
Tommy John
physio, drugs, steroids.
Hope springs eternal
but nothing helped
enough.
Now I sit in this bar,
mush for brains
just like my arm.
Don’t care that
drugs and alcohol
don’t mix
as I watch them
knowing almost
is worse than
never.
THE PITCHER SHAKES OFF ANOTHER SIGN.
I START TO WONDER WHATS ON HIS MIND.
WITH SWEAT RUNNING OFF MY BROW,
I NEED A HIT AND I NEED IT NOW.
BASES LOADED WE'RE DOWN BY THREE.
THE GAMES OUTCOME DEPENDS ON ME.
THE CATCHER RUNS OUT TO THE PITCHERS MOUND.
THEY NEED ME TO HIT IT ON THE GROUND.
I CHECK THE DUGOUT, THEY'RE ALL ON EDGE.
THE INFIELD DEFENSE FORMS A WEDGE.
I STEP BACK IN THE BATTERS BOX.
A FAN SHOUTS OUT, IT'S TIME TO ROCK!
THE TENSION'S THICK AND STARTS TO MOUNT,
BASES LOADED WITH A 3-2 COUNT.
THE PITCHER NOD'S TO CONFIRM THE SIGN.
THEN HE GO'S INTO HIS WIND.
IT'S A FASTBALL, IT LOOKS FAT.
I MAKE CONTACT WITH MY BAT.
CENTER FIELDER STARTS RUNNING BACK.
NOW HE'S ON THE WARNING TRACK.
HE LOOKS UP, IT'S OUTA HERE.
THE CROWD ERUPTS AND START TO CHEER.
ALL MY TEAM MATES SWARM HOME PLATE.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES BASEBALL GREAT.
GAME OVER
He had taught me –
sports as a metaphor-
for life.
The inside fastball was coming -
I knew it!!!
but couldn’t get out of the way.
Damn!!! It sent me crumbling -
painfully writhing –
stifling a curse.
The pass rush was coming –
I could feel it!!!
Crushing me as the ball slid from my hand.
I lay face down – painfully aware –
of the mud and grass -
muttering a curse.
The end was coming –
it was inevitable –
life’s time clock running out.
I stood weeping –
as the lights went out –
cursing in the dark.
He had endured –
honored life’s field –
left it better for his having played.
John G. Lawless
12/16/2015
I’ve traded my final smiles for a rock and a rush..
Shooting my veins for death at thirty five.
last chance to steal a detox from the county cause
Everyone knows government checks don’t bounce.
Instead I wanna follow the needles of street lights all the way to winter haven Fla.
Pittsburgh Dirt tells me the sun there melts your skin
Maybe I can drip on top of a burnt spoon,
And all the sick junkies can draw me through their cottons..
I’d do it you know, be a martyr,
No more mom’s dreaming, then touching caskets.
I wish I knew who crawled through my ear and blanketed my conscience.
Sarah R couldn’t uncover it, and she was 5-7 with C’s and a fastball.
Her prays linger, bounce off the ceiling fans arms.
Expectations hang framed on my bedroom wall, It reads university of Pittsburgh.
My four cornered nightmare. Do they still believe I can stop, forever, I cant; fathom a
month..
Blood actually runs clean through me today, but that doesn’t change desire
My purpose is to fade into my bed, cautionary tale.
The only question left is who will write the end.
Back in fifth grade, there was this obnoxious guy.
I always wanted to hit him in the face with a pie.
It often crossed my mind. I wanted to give it a try.
What inspired me was the Soupy Sales show.
Dan was just asking for it. If I could give it a go.
I often dreamed of such vindictive attacks.
A pie with the speed of a fastball by Sandy Koufax.
I would just take the pie and throw it in his face.
That would have been something to put Dan in his place.
Such is the stuff of history,
butterfly wings and mystery
when the act of observation
affects the observee.
If Schrödinger's cat
comes up to bat
imagine that
fastball, curve or slider?
Kilroy was here
or maybe not
if you know the speed
you can't fix the spot.
BASEBALL IS ENTERTAINMENT
I LOVE PUTTING ON A SHOW
I GIVE IT MY BEST WIND-UP
LET THAT BASEBALL GO
SOMETHING ABOUT A STRIKE-OUT
A FEELING THAT THINGS WENT WELL
UNLIKE THE HOMERUN PITCH
WHERE IT FEELS THEY RANG MY BELL
I CONSIDER IT A CHALLENGE
TO FACE THE BIGGEST NAMES IN THE GAME
I BUILT THAT REPUTATION
I HOPE THEY FEEL THE SAME
I KNOW I GET A LITTLE WILD
BUT, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON CONTROL
NO INTENTION TO BREAK AN ARM
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW
IT'S LIKE ONE ON ONE
SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT
BUT IF YOU TRY TO BUNT ON ME
I'LL NAIL YOU ON THE SPOT
YES I HAVE A FASTBALL
NINETY-FIVE AND UP
I KNOW YOU KNOW IT'S COMING
SO GIVE IT YOUR BEST CUT
I'VE BEEN WORKING ON MY CURVEBALL
IT MIGHT JUST BACK YOU DOWN
CONSIDER IT A CHALLENGE
TRY TAKE THAT PITCH DOWN TOWN
I LOVE MY JOB OUT ON THE MOUND
I LOVE THE GAME OF BASEBALL
I LOVE WHEN THE BATTER AT THE PLATE
CAN'T HIT MY BLAZING FASTBALL
I LOVE THE PLAYERS ON MY TEAM
WHO LOVE THE GAME OF BASEBALL
IT'S A THRILL WHEN BATTERS TAKE MY CHALLENGE
AND CAN'T STICK MY NASTY CURVEBALL
THEY SAY YOU ARE THE K-KING
I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD
SOMEONE SAID YOUR FASTBALL
WAS THE BEST HE EVER HEARD
THEY SAY YOU HAVE A FASTBALL
THE FASTEST OF THEM ALL
SHOW ME YOUR BEST FASTBALL
I'LL DRIVE IT OFF THE WALL
THEY SAY YOU HAVE A NASTY CURVE
ENOUGH TO BACK'EM DOWN
SHOW ME YOUR BEST NASTY CURVE
I'LL TAKE THAT PITCH DOWN-TOWN
THEY SAY YOU HAVE A CHANGE-UP
THAT LEAVES THEM WAY OUT FRONT
SHOW ME YOUR BEST CHANGE-UP
I'LL TEACH YOU HOW TO BUNT
THEN I STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE
I HEARD THE UMP CALL STRIKE
I DUG IN JUST A LITTLE MORE
THAT CURVEBALL TOOK A BITE
I WAITED ON THAT CHANGE-UP
YET SURE ENOUGH THEY'RE RIGHT
I TURNED AROUND TO FACE THE UMP
HE JUST SMILED AND SAID GOOD NITE
I BELIEVE YOU ARE THE K-KING
YOU'RE THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN
YOU DESERVE TO BE BASEBALL'S
ALL-TIME STRIKE OUT KING
Michael E. Harris
Throw it, roll it,
Bounce it, pass it
Dribble it, bobble it
Kick it, toss it, miss it
Pitch it, hurl it
Heave it, sling it
Fastball, slider
Sinker, knuckler, curve
Underhand, sidearm
Overhand, 3/4 arm
Whiffle ball, tennis ball
Forehand, backhand, serve
Baseball, basketball
Football, volleyball
Golf ball, tennis ball
Hardball, softball, swerve
Matters not what sport you do
Or what result's deserved
Just go out and do your best
And play the game with verve
It's not easy becoming a Legendary
Major League Baseball pitcher.
It never was and will never be.
You get put through the wringer
and hung out to dry.
From time to time you'll get little or no
run support.
You may have to face Legendary Icons
of the game 2 and 3 times in a game.
Come face to face with undisguised
Batting Champions.
Silver Slugger Award Winners.
Members and potential Members of the
500 Home Run Club.
Members and potential Members
of the 3000 Hits Club
A few Future Members of
Baseballs Hall of Fame
as well as Iconic MLB ALL STARS.
You will face monumental challenges.
You'll get worn down and roughed up
being on the road 82 games a season.
As a Major League Baseball Starting Pitcher
you suck it up, go out on the mound
and challenge history.
You bring your "A" game
You bring your best fastball
your best curve ball
and your best change up.
When you average 33 starts a season.
Average 10 complete games per season.
Average 3 shut outs per season.
Throw a No Hitter every 3.857 seasons.
Face an average 972 batters per season.
Average 232 innings per season
Through hot , cold , humid and sticky weather.
Give up an average 169 hits per season.
Average 232 innings per season.
Average 82 earned runs per season.
Give up an average 14 home runs in 33 games
over 232 innings per season.
When you average 120 walks per season
Strike out an average 246 batters per season
for a career total of 5714.
It kinda looks like this.
6.6 hits per 9 innings
4.7 walks per 9 innings
9.5 strike outs per 9 innings
Over 27 seasons.
When you do that for a total of 27 seasons
The critics will call you the next
Nolan Ryan.
The Legendary Strike Out King
Member of Major League Baseballs
Hall of Fame.
Michael E. Harris
02202022
Everyday when his dad came home he was waiting there
This was the special time that his dad always had to share
He taught him to throw and to catch how to swing his bat
Every game he played front row is where his dad was at
Started off with tee ball and even then he was a superstar
Not one of the older kids could hit the ball near as far
Then he moved up to softball and what was clear to see
The boy had a natural gift as natural as a gift could be
When he made it to hardball believe these words are true
Matt was one of the best pitchers the world ever knew
Through school and into Collage there never was any doubt
Their best player step up to the plate, Matt would fan them out
Sometimes in life just when we start thinking everything is great
Whether or not we deserve what happens we meet a divesting fate
Matt was out on a Friday night after pitching a picture perfect game
With the stands full of pro scouts promising him a career and life of fame
His fastball clocked at 98 and his control was pinpoint on the spot
After every game he would hug his dad and tell him “Dad thanks a lot”
A drunk driver ran a red light and ended Matt’s career that night
Being left a Paraplegic as it turns out would be Matt’s final plight
A lesser man would have been angry he would wallow in his hate
But that path was not for Matt he just stepped right up to the plate
Became one of the worlds greatest sit down skiers, the first to do a flip
Matt didn’t just come back swinging he was swinging from the hips
You see Matt’s dad didn’t just play with him he taught him the game
He taught him how to fully believe in himself, the W by his name
What Matt learned from Baseball he taught to you know who
Long as you believe in and assert yourself, nothing you can’t do
Written in honor of Matt Oberholtz
who I was fortunate enough to meet
because my friend Nick Jenkins was
his roommate. Want to talk about a
cool guy ice cycles shot out the back
of his water ski. Oddly enough I wrote
Matt's poem for Matt's contest.
I HAVE TO GET SOME EARLY SLEEP
FOR TOMORROWS GAME
I HAVE TO FACE THAT NOLAN RYAN
HE THROWS SMOKE AND FLAME
YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION
RYAN DON'T MESS AROUND
HE'S BEEN KNOWN TO STRIKE ME OUT
WHEN HE'S ON THE MOUND
HE HAS A FLAMING FASTBALL
YET I CAN GET AROUND
IF HE LEAVES IT UP A BIT
I'LL TAKE THAT PITCH DOWNTOWN
HE HAS A BIG ADVANTAGE
A WICKED BREAKING BALL
I'VE SEEN SO MANY STAND THERE
BAFFLED BY THE CALL
IT TRULY IS A BEAUTY
THE WAY IT SWEEPS ACROSS THE PLATE
SOMETHING LIKE HIS FASTBALL
YOU SWING AND ITS TOO LATE
OPPOSITE WITH HIS CHANGE-UP
YOU'LL BE WAY OUT FRONT
IF YOU WANT TO PISS HIM OFF
GO AHEAD AND BUNT
I KNOW I'M REGGIE JACKSON
NOLAN RYAN IS THE MAN
TRY TO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN
MAKE CONTACT IF YOU CAN
JULY 13,1979 REGGIE JACKSON BROKE UP A NOLAN RYAN NO HITTER, 2 OUTS BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
I am not a politician
I have very little interest for politics
Reminiscing on Diddy’s vote or die campaign
Rallying behind Senator John Kerry Wishing I were old enough to vote
My how things have changed
Obama’s groundbreaking history was scarecrow
No brainer enticed me/I had to cast a ballot
I am still not a politician/I have very little interest for politics
Ruled by Caucasian Republicans and house niggas
Who don’t care about helping the poor
Or restoring a nation/ That seen the horrors of 9/11
Troops who went to war and never returned home
An economy that has knocked down
Some who were atop the financial ladder
To paper or plastic/Cheese with that whopper
Foodstamps and free Medicare benefits
Naive in a way when it comes to our leaders presidency
But I’ve seen the effort Healthcare among other bills
Met by Congress with resilience
A potential government shutdown that threatened
To send us to a modern day great depression
Insults being thrown at the first lady/Quicker than Randy Johnson’s fastball
But hey I’m still not a politician/I have very little interest for politics
Politics that haven’t seem to get past/ Obamas brown skin
The fact that the man be balling/Like he Jim Jones
Tinted lips from blazing Newport cigarettes and herbs Im sure
He is too much of a nigga /And they hate that ****
But what I think they hate the most/Is he's a polished nigga
With a Harvard degree, articulates well
And as Katt Williams so eloquently put it/He has no baby mama drama
He deserves the respect of his colleagues
**** it that he's swagged out like ya favorite rapper
Wears skinny suits and has a strut/
That puts Eva, Tyra, and Naomi to shame
He's a boss, Rick Ross
See this is why Im not a politician
I have very little interest for politics/Rather Im politically correct
Or politically incorrect/Never said I was a politician
My interest for politics lies in the lines of this poem/
Swaggarack capturing America's #1 terrorist
Left him deceased/On that Donald Trump they wanna see a death certificate
Spoof video, you wasn’t messing with Barack's Dougie
No way can I be interested in corrupt politics
Stomaching politicians with no morals
Reiterating again I will never be a politician
And despite my rundown of unjust riddles
I still have very little interest for politics