Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas, when all through the fields,

Not a player was present, no bats they did wield.

At home stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In the hopes that new batting gloves’ would soon be in there.

The kiddos were snuggled all snug in their beds

With visions of double plays and homeruns in their heads.

The coach in his team shirt cuz he owns nothing more

Had just settled In for a short winter snore

When all of the sudden there arose such a clatter,

Softball fans everywhere sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.

Away to the garage to grab gloves, bats and balls

They Heard the familiar sounds of a game being called.

The moon on the field gave just enough light

For teams to gather and play, what a beautiful sight

Then what to the wondering eyes did appear,

But several teams of girls with all of their gear.

At first I thought my eyes must be playing a trick

When I saw that the umpire was no one else but St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his girls how they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now, catchers, now pitchers, first base and third,

Come short stops and outfielders and 2^nd – have y’all heard?

The grass may be covered with rain or new snow

But this game cannot wait, because I love it you know!”

So As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

The players gathered quickly together and looked to the sky.

The coach took his place in the dugout on this special night

While reindeer’s and parents awaited the best sight.

Girls playing together, this game they adore

Giving their all, working hard, and sleeping no more.

The coach threw in the game ball, the starts twinkled and shone

And Old St Nick laced his boots feeling rightly at home.

He was dressed like a blu, with a Santa hat and a smile.

He would be covered in dirt in just a short while.

The bundle of toys and his reindeer wait in the sleigh

Because HIS one Christmas wish was to let the girls PLAY!

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

With a nod of his head, he called his first strike

The parents they grumbled, but they knew he was right.

The next pitch caught him high right in the belly

And he laughed as he jiggled like a bowl full of jelly.

“Hey Catch, you have to get those – I’m old ya see,

No wonder your mama got you a new glove from me.”

He was chubby and plump, but you could tell he played ball

And we all laughed on the field, with no worries at all.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know we would not get to bed…

He stood behind the plate and went straight to his work,

Called the game fairly, and ignored any jerks.

Then as the 7^th inning came and went so quick

He disappeared to his sleigh, a sure Christmas trick.

Beyond the outfield fence – to his team he gave whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

The players and parents and coaches and fans

Just stood in amazement, clapping their hands.

And as we watched him disappear into the dark night

We heard him exclaim,  as he flew out of sight—

“Yall are blessed to the bone, with this game you adore

The love of your family, the friends and mentors…

No matter what you do, or where you will go

These memories will burn on and in your heart they will show.

Keep working hard and remember to KEEP IT ALL FUN

And no matter the score….you will have surely won!”

The last thing he said as he drove high out of sight

Was Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

 

Copyright 2015 SD SIFG LLC 

 

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