“Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sun in the Year 1889”
by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, illustrated by Christopher Bing. Handprint Books, Brooklyn N.Y., 1888, (reprint, 2000) 32 pages, any age
Baseball season is again upon us. Though once the unchallenged national pastime, baseball has lost some of its grip on the nation’s imagination. However, attending a baseball game on a summer evening is still an enjoyable experience.
Many times entire families go to baseball games and spend the evening enjoying the sport and each other’s company. The measured cadence of baseball lends itself to conversation. There are pauses throughout the game and between innings. This makes the sport a relaxing event for fans and families.
Ernest Thayer wrote the most famous poem ever composed about baseball. The name of the poem is “Casey at the Bat.” In this delightful poem, we experience the joys and struggles of baseball. We also see the great star, Casey, approaching to the bat.
Beginning with the famous line, “The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day,” Thayer draws the reader and listener into the poem. The nine players on the Mudville team have been terrible all game. But suddenly, “to the wonderment of all,” the team begins staging a comeback. The despondent fans wake up and realize that a rally may be starting.
One after another, the Mudville players begin to hit the ball. The fans become excited and begin chanting wildly. Their fervent hope is that “Casey, mighty Casey” could get up to bat. As the rally continues, hope continues to grow. It appears that their stalwart hero is going to get to bat. Suddenly, “Blake the much despised tore the cover off the ball.” This makes the fans go mad with joy.” Their screams of jubilation “knocked upon the mountains and recoiled upon the flat, for Casey, mighty Casey was advancing to the bat.”
With ease and confidence, the great hitter stepped up to the plate. Casey scoffs at the first pitch and the umpire calls a strike. “Kill him, kill the umpire,” screams an enraged fan. And they likely would have killed him “had not Casey raised his hand.” On the third pitch, “Casey’s teeth are clenched in hate.” The pitcher throws and Casey is ready. What happens?
Does Casey hit a home run? Are the fans happy? Have you ever hit a home run or been successful at something? How did that make you feel? How does Casey feel at the end of the game? To find out, go to the library and check out this delightful book: “Casey at the Bat” by Lawrence Thayer, redrawn by Christopher Bing.
This is an outstanding book to read aloud to students or groups. I once had a student stand up in the middle of the poem and start pounding an imaginary bat on the floor. Christopher Bing uses drawings and newspaper clippings from the 1880s in this book. It lends a special feel and authenticity to the book. Do yourself a favor and read this funny, entertaining story. You will be laughing long after you have finished the tale. Enjoy!
