Alabama Pitts Meets the Valdese High School Baseball Team, 1939

There were some boys 

Who wanted to try him

That first day on the ball field

Behind the rock school on Main Street.

My daddy said you a jailbird, coach,

A tall lad with a fuzzy little mustache said.

Yeah, mine too, the stout kid who had

On the team’s one set of shin guards piped in.

A cloud covered the sun for a moment,

And it got dark all at once like in a movie.

I served my time, son.

And let me tell you, I can outhit, outthrow,

Outfield, and outrun every one of you

Small town shit kicker hicks.

I’ve lived in New York City.

I’ve done time in Sing Sing Prison.

I’ve played football for the Eagles

And baseball against Babe Ruth.

Now which one of you peckerheads

Thinks he can get a pitch past me?

He grabbed a bat and stood by 

The wooden slab that passed for home plate

And waited to begin his coaching.