Net Practice by Norman Gale (1920)
The narrative centers around a school cricket team and their struggles with a particularly inept fielder, known for his exceptional batting skills but abysmal fielding. The protagonist, referred to as King Butterlegs, becomes a source of frustration for his teammates due to his inability to catch or field effectively, despite his contributions with the bat. The team, led by their captain, attempts to motivate him through reasoning and encouragement, but their efforts yield little success. The captain, in a moment of exasperation, resorts to a more aggressive approach by using a practice net to improve Butterlegs' fielding skills. This method involves pelting him with cricket balls, aiming to instill a sense of urgency and improvement in his fielding abilities. After enduring a rigorous session in the net, Butterlegs emerges transformed. The physical challenges he faced during practice lead to a significant improvement in his fielding, allowing him to shed his previous reputation. The story concludes with Butterlegs no longer being a liability to the team, showcasing the themes of perseverance, transformation, and the impact of tough love in sports training.
By Norman Gale · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Sports · 308 words
First lines
We had a fellow in the School Whose batting simply was a dream: A dozen times by keeping cool And hitting hard he saved the Team. But oh! his fielding was so vile, As if by witch or goblin cursed, That he was called by Arthur Style, King Butterlegs the Worst!
At tea-time, supper, breakfast, lunch, For many disappointed days, We reasoned with him in a bunch, Imploring him to mend his ways. He listened like a saint, with lips As if in desperation pursed; Then gave three fourers in the Slips -- King Butterlegs the Worst!
What this Textopian page supports
Net Practice is listed on Textopian as a poem by Norman Gale, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Norman Gale
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Sports, Coming-of-Age, Narrative
- Length: 308 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses comedic elements and exaggeration to portray the character's ineptitude in a lighthearted manner.
- Sports — The central theme revolves around cricket, focusing on the character's performance in the sport.
- Coming-of-Age — The narrative reflects themes of growth and improvement, particularly in the context of youth sports.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Literary Fiction · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Family Dynamics · Relationships · Identity Crisis · Self-Discovery · Morality