Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 180, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1915 — The Baseball Player’s Prayer. [ARTICLE]

The Baseball Player’s Prayer.

Lord help me to play the game. It matters not to you whether I asm talented or poor in natural gifts; wealthy or starving, a leader among men or a simple follower, so that I play the game as you would have it played. Help me to keep my eye on the ball, that the curves of temptation will not deceive me. Keep my feet in the paths of righteousness, that I may touch second and third on my way ’round the bases. Help me to beat out my bunts, and hold me that; I stray not too far Horn base when the catcher is ready to peg me. Count not my .foul balls against me O Lord, for €be batting something goes wrong, 'though the intention is right. Help me in the pinches Lord, because a good bingle might bring my brother home. Let not the music of the fans keep my eye from the ball, not the enticements of the slabman draw me away from the need of a clean single with a man on second. Help me, O Lord, to bat over 300, because my eyes are on the big league for eternity even while I sojourn here among the bush-leaguers.