LIFE
by Jim "Mudcat" Grant
(James Timothy Grant Jr.)

Life is like a game of baseball
And you play it every day.
It isn't just the breaks you get
But the kind of game you play.

Stop and look the whole team over,
You've got DEDICATION there;
You're bound to be a winner
With men who really care.

At first base, there's RELIGION,
He's stood the test of time;
At third base, there's BROTHERHOOD,
The stalwart of the nine.

Your left field is AMBITION,
Don't ever let him shirk;
Right fielder is a husky man,
You'll find his name is WORK.

Your center fielder is very fast,
Though small, and hard to see;
So watch him, son, when he gets the ball:
He's OPPORTUNITY.

Your pitcher's name is COURAGE,
You need him in this game;
For TRUTH and FAITH, your keystone men,
The ground that they will tame.

Your catcher's name is HUMOR,
He's important to this scheme;
While HONOR is in the bullpen,
Your game is always clean.

With LOVE on your bench,
You've perfection, no less;
And a winning team
With joy and happiness.

Now, the other team is strong:
GREED, ENVY, HATRED and DEFEAT
Are infielders you'll have to buck
To make your game complete.

DISCOURAGEMENT and FALSEHOOD
Are the big boys in the pen;
You'll have to swing hard
When you meet up with these men.

CARELESSNESS and a man called WASTE
You'll find them playing hard;
And SELFISHNESS and JEALOUSY
None can disregard.

There is one more man you'll have to watch,
He's always very near;
He's the pitcher for this team.
I'm told his name is FEAR.

This game will not be easy;
There'll be struggles and there'll be strife.
To make the winning runs
It's played on the field of life.

So stand behind your team, my son,
There'll be many who'll applaud;
Just remember: You're the player,
But the umpire there is GOD.

--from the webpages for the fantasy camp for the Cleveland Indians