Steve walked up to the home plate
When his doctors told the news
And though His knees shook just a bit
He could not his turn refuse

He looked to where up on the mound
A giant pitcher stood
And Steve could tell by his sly smile
He was up to no good

And as he faced his first pitch
A curve ball snuck right by
While Steve stood frozen in his stance
” Strike one!” the umpire cried.

He stepped back and took a breath
Tapped his bat upon the ground
Then He heard coach call his name
“You’ve got this son, calm down”

The next two pitches were too low
And he fouled one off the pole
Then one came in too high and tight
So, now the count was full

The pitcher with an evil sneer
Sent a rocket towards the plate 
His fast ball flew in like a jet
And seemed to seal Steve's fate

But as that pitch came hurtling in
Steve met it with his bat
And sent it towards the upper deck
Then smiled and tipped his hat

Now that Steve has run the bases 
And a crown for him awaits
He turns and hands the bat to me
As I step up to the plate


Steve’s Turn at the Plate
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2025 all rights reserved


I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

In memory of my good friend Steve Norton who is now rejoicing in the presence of Jesus
Another winner of the crown of life!

9 thoughts on “Steve’s Turn at the Plate”

1. I love this. It reminds me of a photo that a friend shared with me once. It says that a guy started collecting pictures of baseball players round third base after a walk-off home run, with all of his teammates waiting at home plate to welcome him. He said that this is how he pictures saints entering heaven. It seems that I can’t include images in comments here, otherwise, I would paste it in. It brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.

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   • Wow! I can see that picture you described in my mind. Beautuful thought. Thank you Jeff

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2. Pete, this is a beautiful poem/tribute to your friend, Steve. God bless his family as they mourn his physical loss and Grand Slam into heaven. As a daughter of a ball player (and I played for many years) this poem hit my heart in a special way. God bless you, Pastor Pete.

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   • Thank you Karla. Writing this helped the mixture of sorrow and peace I have felt be put in Heaven’s perspective. I am glad it has touched you as well.

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     • You’re welcome. I can understand the sorrow and peace mixture. May God bless you all.
3. Beautiful…praying for you and yours. ✝️🙏

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   • Thank you. Prayers are always heard.

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4. This is such a beautiful tribute, Pastor Pete. Like “Casey at the Bat,” but Steve swings for the fence and connects for a heavenly homer.

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   • Thanks Dave.

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