Chameleon - UBC's Journal of Children's Literature
v 1 n 1
Spring 2003


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Play Ball

by Audrey Pfitzenmaier

Hey, pitcher. Pitch, pitcher. Belly, belly-itcher!
Hey, pitcher. Pitch, pitcher. Belly, belly-itcher!

In the hole.
Play Ball! Up on deck.
Batter up!
Who's up next?

Hey, batter. Swing, batter. Batter, batter, swing!
Hey, batter. Swing, batter. Batter, batter, swing!

Strike one!
Then, two!
Ball! Ball!
Three balls on you!

Hey, batter. Hit, batter. Batter, batter, hit!
Hey, batter. Hit, batter. Batter, batter, hit!

Swing the bat!
Take a whack!
Find the sweet spot!
Hear the crack!

Hey, batter! Run, batter! Batter, batter, run!
Hey, batter! Run, batter! Batter, batter, run!

Safe at first.
Don't get hurt!
Round two, go three-
Hit the dirt!

Hey, runner! Slide, runner! Runner, runner, slide!
Hey, runner! Slide, runner! Runner, runner, slide!

Take a lead-off!
Watch the plate!
Steal for home!
Don't hesitate!

Hey, runner! Steal, runner! Runner, runner, steal!
Hey, runner! Steal, runner! Runner, runner, steal!

Is runner safe?
Where's the ball?
Is runner out?
Ump, what's the call?

Hey, Ump! Boo, Ump! Hiss, hiss, Ump!
Hey, Ump! Yay, Ump! Good call, Ump!
Illustration by George Narod      
Read by Audrey Pfitzenmaier & friends   


Chameleon: UBC's Journal of Children's Literature

Mail:    Chameleon C/O UBC Creative Writing
Buchanan Room E462, 1866 Main Mall Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Email:    Helen Kuk --
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