Taking the Field

by Christopher Herold and Michael Dylan Welch

First published in Frogpond 17:3, Autumn 1994, page 22. Written at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, on Wednesday, 28 July 1993.  See also “Warming Up.” For more of my baseball haiku, see “Pop Fly.”       +

Los Angeles Dodgers           2

San Francisco Giants           1

after the anthem

umpires cluster

by the plate Christopher

runner off first

the pitcher’s tight jaw Michael

third inning—

fog shadows

take the field Christopher

pop fly!

mouths open

beyond left field Michael

double down the line

a puff of chalk Christopher

seventh-inning stretch

       dust

on the catcher’s knees Michael