There’s something unmistakable about the sound of spring: the rhythmic thud of a basketball hitting pavement, the pop of a tennis ball on fresh strings, the unmistakable thwack of a soccer ball whizzing across the grass.
As the weather warms and the fields, courts, and sidewalks fill up again, I found myself inspired—not to train, not to teach, but to simply feel the joy of movement. This poem is a celebration of that joy, told through the humble, powerful thing that brings so many of our favorite sports into action: the ball. Each stanza is a moment, a memory, a tribute to the ways sport reawakens us in spring.
Spring is a Ball
Inviting the joyful, Fields and courts lay For pairs And groups To raise tools of play.
A leathery ball In two hands bouncing Until lofted And heaved Past team members opposing.
A knitted ball Rises, twirls, and falls from the blue With a rush, Then quick! Again Flicked up by a shoe.
A felted ball Unleashed by racquet, Each moment Brings cheers from Both sides of the net.
A hefty ball Sinks in suede palm, Plucked and Fed home, Ending short someone’s run.
A dented ball
Flies farthest of all.
A flag
At the end
Then swallows it whole.
With fresh passion
On field and court
A ball shines
In spring.
It’s the joy of sport.
By Heidi Bada, April 2025
There! What do you think?
If this poem reminded you of your own love for sport, I’d love to hear from you. I’m working on adding an easier way to stay connected, so meanwhile I encourage people to add comments to my blog posts.
I’m working on adding an email signup this week. It was trickier than I expected, but coming along when I have time after work each day. I also created a free visual guide to my “diet-rest-exercise” tripod diagram that shows the key components of a balanced lifestyle.
So leave a comment and share this post with someone who could use a poetic nudge to get outside! Bring your own ball, eh?
