An Umpire’s Lot is Not a Happy One

by Patrick McCaughey

(Major League Baseball’s batting out-of-order rule, set to the tune of “The Policeman’s Song” from The Pirates of Penzance)

6.07 (a)

A batter shall be called out on appeal (on appeal)
When he fails to bat in his proper turn (proper turn)
Though the batter’s fate cannot be fully sealed (fully sealed)
‘Til the status of another batter’s learned (batter’s learned).

6.07 (b)

When that improper batter safely gets on (safely gets on)
Or is put out, and the other team appeals (team appeals)
Before a pitch or play is newly put on (newly put on)
The umpire has two rulings to reveal (to reveal):

6.07 (b) (1), 6.07 (b) (2)

Call out whose spot was taken by the other (by the other)
And nullify the play the other batter’s done (batter’s done).
Ah, take one consideration with another (with another)
An umpire’s lot is not a happy one (happy one).

Ahhh
When constabulary duty’s to be done (to be done),
An umpire’s lot is not a happy one.