Cassey at Bat by Joyce Wyatt

CASEY AT THE BAT
By Joyce Noel Wyatt

Hey Guys! Have you ever been to Mudville? You don’t think so? Well, come along with me. Let’s go back to the year 1888. The whole town of Mudville has come out to see the Meadowlarks vs. Hornets baseball game. Excerpts from the famous ballad describing the game go like this:

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, If only Casey could but get a whack at that-
We’d put up even money now, with Casey at the Bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then while the writing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-
“That ain’t my style, “ said Casey, “Strike one!” the umpire said.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, “Strike two!”

The sneer is gone from Casey’s lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out.

Yessiree! The whole town was depending upon Casey. His parents, teachers, and businesses all had an investment in Casey. The boy had talent. So what happened? Casey had become rebellious. “I’ve got the bat. I’ll handle it my way.” And Casey struck out. It was a sad day in Mudville.

Maybe you have a Casey. Could be your own son or daughter. Could be a pal you’ve known for 20 years. Could be your brother who’s continually breaking your heart. We all have them in our lives. They’re the ones in whom we invest a lot of prayer, time and energy. But yet, one! two! three! they’re out! So what’s the answer?

Author Richard Bach once said, “Here’s a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: “If you’re alive, it isn’t.” Don’t quit on Casey. Keep investing in his life. Keep praying for him. Keep on showing him that you care. Keep putting him up to bat. God is the Scorekeeper. He will give the increase and someday joy will reign again in Mudville.