<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">World Series Opened--Batter Up!</h1><p class="byline"><span class="smallcaps">IN The Stars And Stripes, A.E.F., France</span></p><p class="line">THE outfield is a--creepin in to catch the kaiser's pop,</p><p class="line">And here's a southpaw twirler with a lot of vim and hop!</p><p class="line">He's tossed the horsehide far away to plug the hand-grenade;</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">What matter if on muddy grounds this game of war is played?</p><p class="line">He'll last through extra innings and he'll hit as well as pitch;</p><p class="line">His smoking Texas leaguers'll make the Fritzies seek the ditch!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">He's just about to groove it toward a ducking Fritzie's bean</p><p class="line">His crossfire is the puzzlingest that ever yet was seen;</p><p class="line">His spittle is a deadly thing; his little inshoot curve</p><p class="line">Will graze some Heinie's heaving ribs and make him lose his nerve.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Up in the air he never goes; he always cuts the plate,</p><p class="line">No matter if the bleachers rise and start "the Hymn of Hate;"</p><p class="line">And pacifistic coaching never once has got his goat.</p><p class="line">Just watch him heave across the top the latest Yankee note!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The Boches claim the Umpire is a-sidin' with their nine,</p><p class="line">But we are not the boobs to fall for such a phony line;</p><p class="line">We know the game is fair and square, decisions on the level</p><p class="line">The only boost the kaiser gets is from his pal, The Devil!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The series now is opened, and the band begins to play; </p><p class="line">The batteries are warming up; the crowd shouts, "Hip-Hurray!" </p><p class="line">The catcher is a-wingin' 'em to second, third and first, </p><p class="line">And if a Heinie tries to steal, he's sure to get the worst.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">So watch the southpaw twirler in his uniform O. D. </p><p class="line">Retire to the players' bench the Boches--one, two, three! </p><p class="line">He'll never walk a bloomin' one, nor let 'em hit it out.</p><p class="line"> Just watch him make 'em fan the air and put the Hun to rout! </p></div></body></html> · Great War