Base-Ball Ballads/Play Ball

by Grantland Rice

 

BASE-BALL BALLADS.

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PLAY BALL.

"Play ball"—across the field of green
 The signal sounds the game again;
Once more there reels across the scene
 The shout and wild acclaim again;
The game is on, the fight begun,
 Across the line of battle's span
Until the final score is spun
 With every record of the clan.

"Play ball"—the reveille has rolled
 The bugle call to play again;
Once more beneath the banner's fold
 They troop across the way again;
The game is on, and in the fray
 The tumult and the cheering sweep
Across the battle line of play
 Until the twilight shadows creep.

"Play ball"—the slogan of the game
 Of life, of war, of love or hate;
For rank or wealth, for name or fame
 The player stands against the plate;
The game is on, and in the strife
 Where Fate, the pitcher, speeds the ball
The player plays the game of life
 Until the final shadows fall.