Growing up, baseball was never my choice of sport, but as I aged I grew more and more attached.
I started playing when I was seven. I had little interest in playing baseball at the time. I was more interested in playing video games and eating candy. When I was about 10, I made the all-star travel team, and then got bored with idea of playing ball. I stopped for two years.
Middle school was starting and all that my friends were talking about was baseball. I decided to go out for the team and i've been playing for the past five years now. Coming to Grace King I started varsity as a Freshman. Seeing as I already had prior knowledge of the game and above average skill, it made me realize that all I wanted to do was play ball.
Most of you reading this might think of baseball as a bunch of jocks, in tight pants, who throw a ball and then hit it. Well, you're wrong. It is actually much more than meets the eye. You don't need to be the biggest guy, or have the strongest arm, or even be the fastest runner. All you need to do, is work as a team, but know that there's always room for improvement.
Baseball, just like any other sport, requires a great deal of teamwork. Every single player needs to do their specified job. Devotion plays a major role in baseball. You must be willing to work hard and long in order to achieve the success you seek. Concentration is one of the most important parts of the game. If you aren't concentrated, then you won't consistently hit the outside corner, or get the double in the gap in order to get the go-ahead run in. Finally, a good baseball player must also be a good leader; on and off the field. Otherwise your team would lack confidence. There needs to be someone to constantly pick everyone up, and reassure that one bad play won't be the end of the game. That you just need to come out and do your job on offense.
Being a student leader on Executive Board, I knew that I could give my full amount of concentration and devotion to the team, as well as all leadership skills I posses. Yes, I have grown to the love the game, and that will never change. It also serves many purposes to me. I use it to keep active, I use it to clear my mind, but I mostly play ball because I couldn't imagine my life without it.
No matter what situation you're in, how you feel, or how good or bad you think you my be. Remember one thing; keep swinging.