Verbal Comm: Casey at the Bat

Don't miss the opportunity to share this wonderful poem with your children.   Read it to them with all the drama and enthusiasm you can muster.  Consider adding to your home library by purchasing the version that is illustrated by one of our favorite author/illustrators - Patricia Polacco!

Casey at the Bat
Written By Ernest Lawrence Thayer, 1888


The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two with but one inning left to play;


And then, when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.


A straggling few got up to go, in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which "springs eternal in the human breast;"

They thought, If only Casey could but get a whack at that,
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.


But Flynn procede Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a no-good and the latter was a fake;

So, upon that stricken multitude grim meloncholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.


But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball,

And when the dust had lifted and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second, and Flynn a-huggin' third.

Read Thayer's entire poem HERE

Another illustrated interpretation of Casey at the Bat. Illustrated by C. F. Payne.