Elliott Gould recited his rendition of this poem "RUN IT OUT" as an inspiring send-off to SAG members attending Conversations.

"RUN IT OUT"

By Edmund Vance Cooke

When you once have hit the ball, Run it out.
Though your chance be great or small, Run it out.
Many a fumble comes you know,
Many a baseman muffs a throw,
But you're lost unless you go!
Run it out.

Come the best, or come the worst, Run it out.
You are gone? All right, but first, Run it out.
Would-have-done or might-have-been
Never have a chance to win;
Lively now and dig right in!
Run it out.

In the game, or out, the rule "Run it out"
Is the motto of your school; Run it out.
Here is one who thinks it wise
Just to play for exercise,
But he'll score more, if he tries;
Run it out!

You may fall of course, but still Run it out.
If you don't you know you will. Run it out.
How alike are the beginning
Of the losing or the winning -
Just an eyelash to an inning!
Run it out.

Courage now and keep your heart!
Nothing comes without a start, Run it out.
Other Shakespeares might be printing,
Other Titians might be tinting,
If some constant coach kept hinting,
"RUN IT OUT!"

Mr. Gould's career spans generations. He has appeared in over 100 films including "M*A*S*H," "Ocean Eleven," "Nashville," "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice," "The Silent Partner," "A Bridge Too Far," and "The Long Goodbye," while being nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe.

He has acted for such notable directors as Robert Altman, Richard Attenborough, William Dieterle, Darryl Duke, Irvin Kershner, Barry Levinson, Paul Mazursky, Dino Risi, Richard Rush, Mark Rydell and Steven Soderbergh among others, as well as being the first American performer chosen by Ingmar Bergman to appear in "The Touch."

Elliott began his career as a chorus boy in the theater in New York, and on television - has hosted "Saturday Night Live" six times, the first of which won the show its first Emmy. Gould has frequently been seen as the father of Monica and Ross Geller on the popular television sitcom "Friends." As a producer, Mr. Gould has presented such films as Woody Allen's "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask" and Jules Feiffer's "Little Murders." He currently serves on the Board of Screen Actors Guild.