A review by veritas19
Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

4.0

I’m not one to pick up poetry often. I am also not a huge sports fan, especially baseball. I will be the first to admit it but this poem was actually quite good. The illustrations were astonishingly good too for a poetry book. Ken Bachaus brought life to the baseball game and I enjoyed the yellow and brown pastels pictures. They were very detailed and creative. I also enjoyed the story. I was fun and exciting and you wanted so badly for Casey to get a chance to bat. Casey up to the plate and he finally has his chance. He tries to keep the crowd from killing the ump or causing any harm. The crowd is so excited by the game that you can’t help feel their excitement too. When Casey finally put his game face on you thought there is no chance he could miss. Then you are surprised when they end with him striking out. I really enjoyed the tension of the poem, as it got closer to the climax. I was actually disappointed with the ending but I am sure I am not the only one. This was a poem that I wouldn’t mind reading again.