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 9.  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 only related to the theme of baseball.

  • Poem must not exceed 200 words.

  • Entry will be evaluated for creativity, originality, and style by judges, including educators, university students, and community members.

Prizes

  • Winners attending the Festival have the opportunity to read their poems on Saturday, May (TBD) 2027.

  • 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 Submissions

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

  • Submission: Please submit your poem in the body of your email to baseballpoetryfest@gmail.com (no attachments will be accepted).

  • Must Include: Category of Submission (Grades 4 – 12 or Little Leaguer); Poet’s Name, School, Grade, Email (if applicable); Guardian Name & Email.

  • Winners Notification: Winners will be notified by or before Friday, April (TBD), 2027 via email.

All Adult Poets Everywhere

Call for Submissions

The National Baseball Poetry Festival invites submissions of poems that deal with any aspect of the gamesmanship, nature, and atmosphere of Baseball and/or Softball, for example: opening day, ballpark food, childhood memories, first pitch, athletic heroes, uniforms, ball parks, Little League, body English, dugout chatter, the season of the game, etc.

No restriction on form. Poets may submit one (1) one-page poem in Word format.  Previously submitted poem is acceptable.  Previously published work is acceptable.  Judging is blind.  The thematic views of baseball/softball and the game will be given wide interpretation by the judge(s).  Please note: while there is a submission deadline for each year’s contest, there is no submission window, per se.  Submissions can be made year round.

Categories

  • Adults 18+

Publication

  • 20 winners will be published on BaseballPoetryFest.org

  • An additional 7 poets will receive “on deck” recognition

Prizes

  • Winners are recognized at Welcome Reception, 2 complimentary tix to Friday’s game, a Certificate, and a National Baseball Poetry Festival t-shirt!

Guidelines for Adult Submissions

  • Deadline: Friday, March (TBD), 2027 ET.

  • Submit: One (1) one-page poem in Word format to baseballpoetrycontest@gmail.com.

  • Must Include: Poet’s name, address, phone number and email address.

  • Winners Notification: Friday, April (TBD) 2027 ET by email.