Students Grades 4-12

Poetry Contest

The National Baseball Poetry Festival is a celebration of poetry whose themes focus on Baseball and/or Softball! The Festival Youth Poetry Readings take place at Polar Park on Saturday, May 15, 2027. All grades 4-12 students are invited to submit poems with a baseball and/or softball theme, for example: opening day, ballpark food, first pitch, athletic heroes, uniforms, Polar Park and other ball parks, Little League, dugout chatter, the season of the game, etc.

Categories

  • Youth Grades 4 – 12

Teacher Resources

Contest Rules

  • The contest is open to ALL 4th-12th graders.

  • Submit one poem using the form below only related to the theme of baseball or softball.

  • Poem must not exceed 250 words.

  • Entry will be evaluated for creativity and style by judges.

  • Please read this notice about the use of AI.

Prizes

  • Winners attending the Festival have the opportunity to read their poems on Saturday, May 15, 2027 at Polar Park or an online reading at a later date (TBA).

  • Winners will receive a certificate, a National Baseball Poetry Festival t-shirt, and a ticket to Saturday’s WooSox game!

  • Winners will include up to 20 elementary school students, 20 middle school students, and 20 high school students.

Guidelines for Youth Poetry Contest Submissions

  • Deadline: All entries must be submitted by or before Midnight on Friday, April 23, 2027 (ET).

  • Submission: Please submit your poem using the form below.

  • Must Include: Category of submission (elementary, middle, or high school); Poet’s Name, School, Grade, Email (if applicable); Parent, Teacher, or Guardian Name & Email.

  • Winners Notification: Winners will be notified by or before Friday, May 7, 2027 via email.

Dear Poets, Keep Your Voices Authentic in Your Submissions!

Thank you for your exciting entries and enthusiasm for the National Baseball Poetry Festival youth writing contest. As we review this year’s incredible submissions, we want to remind all participants that all poetry must be entirely your own original work, and the use of AI text-generation tools (such as ChatGPT) is strictly prohibited.

The heart of baseball—and poetry—lies in real, human emotion, personal memories, and your unique voice. We want to read your words, your perspective on the game, and your creativity. Step up to the plate, trust your talent, and show us what you’ve got! We can’t wait to read your authentic stories and poems. Key rules to remember:

  • 100% Human-Written: Every line, metaphor, and stanza must come directly from your own imagination.

  • No AI Assistance: You may not use AI tools to generate, brainstorm, or rewrite your poems.

  • Disqualification: Any submissions found to be generated or assisted by AI will unfortunately be disqualified from the contest.

Poem Submission Form

Use the form below to submit your poem

Submission will be posted by 11/2/26, check back soon!