Cactus League Poem Warms Fans Waiting for Spring Training
The following poem about the Cactus League was submitted to Play Ball recently by a longtime spring training fan. Enjoy!
Cactus League
By Doug Smith
I saw the catch by Willie Mays, as cheers came from the stands.
Cactus League is underway, with crowds of baseball fans.
Ernie Banks signed autographs. The stadium was full.
I’s just a kid in Little League. I set a modest goal.
“Every team in every park,” I hoped for every season.
But every year I came up short, for every kind of reason.
I think I just look forward to another year of fun.
A good excuse to try again, to soak up all the sun;
To have a drink and hot dog, to sit out on the lawn;
The Seventh Inning Stretch, in which, we sing that baseball song.
Since I was born and raised here, I’ve been going to these games.
The diamonds are a part of me. I know their teams and names.
So, someday, make me part of them. Spread my ashes ‘round.
Scattered in the batter’s box and on the pitcher’s mound.
When they grab a fist of dirt, I just might be inside.
Or, toss me out on second base, to cushion when they slide.
Then, I will fulfill my wish of all the parks and teams,
And join the legends, future, past, on every field of dreams.
For, what more could a person ask, unless my Heaven’s raining,
To hear the umpire shout, “Play Ball!” Forever, in Spring Training.
