Baseball In June

The boys are decked out
in their Diamondback red,
caps on their heads -
uniforms, baseball and mitts
ready to go for their fourth game
in the summer sun.

The goal is to learn principles
as well good sportsmanship, discipline,
and teamwork but out in the stands
the parents and grandparents keep score
because winning is what they were raised on
and it's why they came to sit in the sun.

The Cubs are arranged like little soldiers
the coach says to cheer, they cheer
their stance is near perfect
their swings all connect
their running and fielding exquisite.
The opposition looks grand, shining
like winners in the California sun.

During the first inning the Diamondbacks
fumble and tumble like little puppies.
They flinch at the ball, and move away
from the catch, hold the bat like a hatchet,
and chop at each pitch even if it's high.
At least they're getting some sunshine.

By the fourth inning
the Home team has warmed-up
each batter connects
the bases fill as they run home one by one
their fielding, by now, almost flawless.
Two flies caught, third strike out and in the end

they had fun and the parents out in the stands
forgot to keep track of who lost and who won
and had a great time watching baseball
in the warm California sun.