The Base Stealer

1. The Base Stealer By Robert Francis Published in the Orb Weaver (1948) Presented By Kaela Perfetti and Jayde Sharp

2. The Base Stealer • This poem should be kept in the 2010 edition. • Many young teens are interested in sports poetry. • It has many literary devices. • It is easy for young people to understand.

3. Rhyme Scheme and Rhythm . Poised between going on and back, pulled A Both ways taut like a tight-rope walker, B Fingertips pointing the opposites, C Now boun cing tip toe like a dropped ball D • This poem is free verse because there is no pattern.

4. Alliteration • The poet uses a few different types of alliteration in his poem, making it seem that the base runner is speeding around the bases. 6 Running a scattering of steps sideways, 7 How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases,

5. Assonance • Assonance is used to speed up the poem. 1 Poised between going on and back, pulled 7 How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases,

6. Consonance 3 Fingertips pointing the opposites, 7 How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases 8 Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic bird,

7. Repetition 5 Or a kid skipping rope, come on, come on, 9 He’s only flirting, crowd him, crowd him, 10 Delicate, delicate, delicate, delicate-Now!

8. Simile Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ball, • The base stealer is being agile staying on his toes. Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic bird, • The runner stays on the players mind. There are many similes in “The Base Stealer”.

9. Imagery • The use of imagery appeals to the sense of sight. 3 Fingertips pointing the opposites, 4 Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ball, 5 Or a kid skipping rope, come on, come on, 6 Running a scattering of steps sideways,

10. Conclusion This poem should stay in the 2010 edition • It is clear what the poet says. • It is easy for teens to read. • It has many literary devices. • Alliteration • Assonance • Consonance • Repetition • Simile • Imagery