A poetic swing through Worcester's baseball heritage
The National Baseball Poetry Festival made its fourth consecutive appearance in Worcester, taking place at the iconic Polar Park. The gathering honored the city’s most famous baseball poem, “Casey at the Bat,” and explored the shared storytelling DNA that links poetry and the sport.
Attendees traveled from across the United States and beyond to participate in readings, workshops, and a friendly baseball game. The program blended traditional verses with modern lyrical takes, featuring everything from classic baseball anthems to contemporary lyrics.
Dr. Charles Steinberg, president of the WooSox, delivered a presentation on the music of baseball, while local poet Karen Sharpe served as co‑chair of the poets committee. Mayor Joe Petty and British Consul General David Clay MBE joined the festivities, underscoring the event’s international appeal.
The festival paid tribute to the city’s literary past, referencing poems such as “These are the saddest of possible words — Tinker to Evers to Chance” and the lyrical energy of John Fogerty’s “Centerfield.” The celebration illustrated how baseball continues to inspire new forms of artistic expression.