WHEN THE GAME IS ON THE LINE The bottom of the ninth,     With two men out and still no score, I stepped up to the plate --     The Series' fans let out a roar! The pitcher threw a blazing curve,     I swung the bat and hit . . . Then Ma said, "If your room's not clean,     I'm gonna throw a fit!" With just four seconds left to play,     Ten yards from the goal, We had to make a touchdown now     Or lose the Super Bowl; The hand-off was to me,     I grabbed the ball to start my run . . . "Stop staring into space," she said,     "And get your homework done." The NBA finale,     Ticking down and two points short, I jumped to grab a rebound;     Dribbling swiftly down the court, I shot the ball from three-point range,     It soared toward the hoop . . . (Oh-oh, she's looking, almost caught me     Blowing on my soup.) We're in the second overtime,     The finals for the Cup, The center passed to me     And dodging checks I skated up; I fired from the point,     The puck shot straight toward the net . . . "If you don't eat your broccoli,     That's all you're gonna get!" Just "Eat your veggies, clean your room     And get your homework done," That's all she ever talks about,     She never heard of fun; I s'pose I oughta listen,     Make her face light up and shine, But nothing's that important     When the game is on the line.