Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Opening Day Starter versus Seattle Mariners
Minute Maid Park, Houston TX
April 3, 2017
First Pitch of the Season
By Bill McCurdy
Original Version: March 26, 2015
Adapted for a Lefty: April 3, 2017
He raises both arms
Left hand to right glove
He grips the fresh ball
Caressing with love
He holds fast the roar
As he pauses to grip
Like a marbled Adonis
The wheel of his ship
Awaiting a late sign
From the Captain of Crouch
He soon finds the signal
As his fingers branch out
Controlling the ball
Begins with the grip
But includes body rhythm
Speed and place of each trip
The pitcher rares back
As his right leg kicks high
Then the right leg steps forward
As the left arm flies by
And when he lets go
Of the little white ball
It sails on toward home
On its own special call
To rise, sink, or curve
High, low, in or out
Even sometimes to flutter
What’s that all about?
As the left leg falls forward
With the release of the ball
The pitcher now braces
Awaiting – that’s all
Ball, strike, or in play
The deed will be done
First pitch, once delivered
And the season’s begun
____________________
Bill McCurdy
Publisher, Editor, Writer
The Pecan Park Eagle
Houston, Texas
The Pecan Park Eagle 
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