SPRING TRAINING

By Terry Downes

After bitter months of snow
As days creep long and longer,
Above the Mason-Dixon Line
The need grows strong and stronger,
To see the pitcher climb the mound
And watch the batter takes his place,
To hear the thunder of the crowd
And wonder who will win the race.

To warmer climes deep in the south
Equipment vans then lumber,
They carry dreams of what might be
And wake fans from their slumber.
All along the interstates
Reports of signings fly
That carry hint of who might be
Quite wealthy come July.

Anything can happen there!
Fan debates are roaring!
Rookies battle for a spot,
Skills they’re underscoring.
Older vets are out to show
They’ve still got what it takes
To play one hundred sixty games
Despite their muscle aches.

Every morning come the dawn
Trainers have them working,
Losing pounds they’d slow built up
Winter’s weight still lurking.
In afternoon the squads divide
To “A” team and to “B”
Playing other franchise nines
Near every team we see.

Finally comes the end of March
April’s warmth approaches,
Training camps are winding down
Reporters pester coaches
Who will win the pennant race?
Who’ll take the series crown?
“Why, we will!” they all reply.
Hope soars in every town!

****

Terry Downes is an attorney and retired District Court Clerk/Magistrate who went on to found and direct the MCC Program on Homeland Security, and long served as an adjunct professor at Suffolk Univ. Law School and UMASS-Lowell. He lives in Lowell with his wife Atty. Annie O’Connor.