What do you think?
Rate this book
Extra Innings: Baseball Poems
This collection of poems includes “Casey at the Bat” and May Swenson’s classic “Analysis of Baseball” as well as newer, lesser-known pieces that will be embraced by all who play, watch, dream about, and celebrate the game of baseball.
- GenresPoetry
48 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 1993
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Lee Bennett Hopkins
207 books52 followersLee Bennett Hopkins was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2017. He holds a Guinness Book of Records citation for compiling the most anthologies for children. He has also received the Christopher Award, the Regina Medal, and the National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. He lives in Florida.
For more information, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ben...
For more information, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Ben...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 26, 2018
Apart from the greatest baseball poem ever, “Casey at the Bat,” the poems in this collection are simply average. In baseball jargon, “two-fifty hitters.” They cover both genders engaged in the great American game.
Other than the one about the mighty Casey, the two best poems in this collection are about players and events that are part of baseball history. The first of the two is called “To Satch” and is a short tribute to the great Satchel Paige, arguably the best pitcher to ever play the game. Barred from the major leagues due to the color line, Satchel didn’t make the majors until he may have been near fifty years old. Yet, he could still get the batters out. Countless white players said that he was the toughest that they ever faced.
The second of the two is about a simple event of comradeship. The title is “from Teammates” and is about a supposed incident when Jackie Robinson made an error at second and was being horrendously booed by the crowd. Shortstop Pee Wee Reese walked over and put his arm around Jackie’s shoulder and faced the crowd, causing them to quiet down. While the actual event never happened, this poem is simple, yet contains a powerful message.
Like all other areas of human endeavor, poetry can mesh well with baseball and this book is an existence proof of that fact.
Other than the one about the mighty Casey, the two best poems in this collection are about players and events that are part of baseball history. The first of the two is called “To Satch” and is a short tribute to the great Satchel Paige, arguably the best pitcher to ever play the game. Barred from the major leagues due to the color line, Satchel didn’t make the majors until he may have been near fifty years old. Yet, he could still get the batters out. Countless white players said that he was the toughest that they ever faced.
The second of the two is about a simple event of comradeship. The title is “from Teammates” and is about a supposed incident when Jackie Robinson made an error at second and was being horrendously booed by the crowd. Shortstop Pee Wee Reese walked over and put his arm around Jackie’s shoulder and faced the crowd, causing them to quiet down. While the actual event never happened, this poem is simple, yet contains a powerful message.
Like all other areas of human endeavor, poetry can mesh well with baseball and this book is an existence proof of that fact.
Currently reading
May 24, 2017Extra Innings has many characters including professional MLB players. Every poem takes place on a baseball/softball field at a game. There is no specific summary but there is a lesson that all f the poems have in common. Baseball requires good sportsmanship and is a sport for all ages, size, gender, and color. Baseball brings people together and gives people good spirit.
April 17, 2012
A nice collection of poems wonderfully-suited for gifting, especially if you have a senior baseball player getting ready to graduate or go on to play college ball. . .or for a coach. . .or for a volunteer umpire. Give the gift of poetry with this collection of poems about "America's game."
A nice blend of classic and contemporary pieces offered by one of children's poetry's great voices and collectors, Lee Bennett Hopkins.
In this 1993 collection:
Samuel Allen celebrates Satchel Paige who's pitching is like "[whipping] three hot strikes burnin' down the heavens."
Peter Golenbeck captures the moment PeeWee Reese shakes hands with teammate Jackie Robinson before a speechless crowd in "from Teammates."
Ernest Lawrence Taylor's classic poem appears here for students coming to the tragedy of Casey for the first time.
J. Patrick Lewis takes a humorous look at pitches that look like they might be hit. . .only to see them drop in the catcher's mitt in "Great Pitches."
There's something magical to be found in the marriage of baseball and poetry. I love how the sport gives itself over to be rendered in onomatopoeia most naturally.
Whomp!
Crack!
Strike!
Poetry and baseball create a perfect fit. . .and Hopkins hits this collection out of the park!
A nice blend of classic and contemporary pieces offered by one of children's poetry's great voices and collectors, Lee Bennett Hopkins.
In this 1993 collection:
Samuel Allen celebrates Satchel Paige who's pitching is like "[whipping] three hot strikes burnin' down the heavens."
Peter Golenbeck captures the moment PeeWee Reese shakes hands with teammate Jackie Robinson before a speechless crowd in "from Teammates."
Ernest Lawrence Taylor's classic poem appears here for students coming to the tragedy of Casey for the first time.
J. Patrick Lewis takes a humorous look at pitches that look like they might be hit. . .only to see them drop in the catcher's mitt in "Great Pitches."
There's something magical to be found in the marriage of baseball and poetry. I love how the sport gives itself over to be rendered in onomatopoeia most naturally.
Whomp!
Crack!
Strike!
Poetry and baseball create a perfect fit. . .and Hopkins hits this collection out of the park!
Read
May 4, 2011This collection of poems about America's favorite game includes classics such as "Casey at the Bat" as well as other less known pieces. This is a must read for lovers of baseball and sports of all kinds.
811 MED
811 MED
May 12, 2011
Idid like some but not a lot dont read it
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews