The poem describes sacrificing oneself for the team by laying down a bunt to advance a runner. The batter gets into a low stance with the bat extended, preparing to make contact with the small incoming pitch to safely bunt the ball and allow their teammate on base to advance. Though the batter will be out, they have successfully sacrificed themselves for the greater good of the team by allowing their vulnerable teammate to move into scoring position.

1. Sacrifice Bunt
By Lucy Jacobs
You hold the bat at eye level,
knees bent, get down to meet the ball,
preparing to give yourself up
for the common good.
Your bat is an extension of your body,
the idea being to catch the ball
with all you have.
Someone is depending on you
to move him along, a vulnerable friend,
the kind of guy who wonders in sweat
WHAT AM I DOING HERE.
A limbo of wind comes off the mound,
nothing but a tiny marble
small enough for a navel.
Squared, you have given yourself away,
each rotation of the ball saying
NO PLACE TO HIDE
NO PLACE
NO
O
You can’t think about it,
about popping it up.
Suddenly it’s on the ground he’s safe,
you’re out, he’s in scoring position,
you’re on the bench, you’ve left it up
to the next guy, the reader.