Playing Right Field
The first time I heard this song it touched me deeply. It still does. I suspect each of us has certain aspects of our lives that makes us feel like the kid out in right field. It's great to know you're not the only one. Thanks to John German for introducing me to this song.
Words and Music copyright Willie Welch
Saturday summers when I was a kid
We'd run to the school yard and here's what we did
We'd pick out the captains, we'd choose up the teams
It was always a measure of my self-esteem
'Cause the strongest the fastest played shortstop and first
The ones they picked last were the worst
I never needed to ask it was sealed
I just took up my place in right field
Playing right field is easy you know
You can be awkward, you can be slow
That's why I'm here in right field
Watching the dandelions grow
Playing right field is lonely and dull
Little leagues never have lefties that pull
I'd dream of the day they'd hit one my way
They never did but still I would pray
That I'd make a fantastic catch on the run
And not lose the ball in the sun
Then I'd awake from this long reverie
And pray that the ball never came out to
me here in…
Off in the distance the game's dragging on
There're strikes on the batter, some runners are on
I don't know the inning, I've forgotten the score
The whole team is yelling and I don't know what for
Suddenly everyone's looking at me
My mind has been wandering. What could it be?
They point to the sky and I look up above
And a baseball falls into my glove
Playing right field, it's important you know
You gotta know how to catch
You gotta know how to throw
That's why I'm here in right field
Watching the dandelions grow