I Grew Up

by Barbara Gregorich

I grew up in large backyards
with fields nearby
and open spaces.

I grew up with bats and balls
with neighbor kids
and unfenced spaces.

I grew up with white and black
with pickup games
in unblocked spaces.

I grew up with a batter’s stance
and hit away
to unfilled spaces.

I grew up with long-ball blasts
that led my eyes
to equal places.

 

From Barbara’s latest book (which is not all about baseball, she warns), Crossing the Skyway.

2013 NL Central Prediction Haiku

By Stuart Shea

CHICAGO
A brand-new playpen?
That’s just a distraction for
Your crumbling bones.

CINCINNATI
As we get older
We learn to use our wisdom.
What’s Dusty’s excuse?

MILWAUKEE
I’d walk a mile for
A Gamel–a healthy one.
Now: power outage.

PITTSBURGH
Brand new calendar,
Same old days. Same old people.
Same old misery.

ST. LOUIS
Another spring, a
Young man in charge–well, young by
Managing standards…

2013 NL East Prediction Haiku

By Stuart Shea

BRAVES
Georgia is the world’s
Top pecan supplier. Plus
Andrelton Simmons

MARLINS
Why is a fish tank
So fascinating to watch?
Billion-dollar chum.

METS
No, it’s not a joke!
Cowgill and Valdespin are
In center field now

NATIONALS
Unnatural arm,
Unbelieveable results–
Can Strasburg stay fit?

PHILLIES
The old and infirm
Are the last to know that they
Are old and infirm

 

Tipping a Few with Klu

by George Bowering

Once I had a dozen brewsky
with my buddy Ted Kluszewski

Then I got completely urban
with my buddy Pedro Bourbon

Next I had a jug of rum
with my buddy big Mike Lum

But I never used the spike
with my buddy Ozark Ike.

 

George Bowering once served as the Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada, and is the author most recently of the memoir Pinboy.

2013 AL West Prediction Haiku

By Stuart Shea

HOUSTON
Welcome to the league!
You youngsters enjoy yourselves
As you lose each day

LOS ANGELES
Trout Fishing in spring…
Or Prince Albert in a can?
Is Ryan Mad, son?

OAKLAND
Bartolo Colon
Is still suspended. So…more
food in the clubhouse?

SEATTLE
Raul Ibanez
Played for Seattle during
Bill Clinton’s first term

TEXAS
Replacing Josh H.
With Martin and Gentry? That’s
Carob for dessert