I’m Jimmy and I’m a freshman in high school. It was early March so cool and windy. The wind cut right through my skin to chill my. First day of baseball tryouts today, and I have been waiting all year. I didn’t quite know where to go, so I followed the other baseball bags. Once we got out of the locker room it was hard work. Everyone battling for a spot on the team. Then we all went home to rest like a bear in hibernation. There were two more days of tryouts left. After final cuts coach handed us a note in an envelope with the secret everyone wanted to know. Did you make the team or were you out of here.

Right after that we went straight to practice. Nothing but practice for a whole month every day of the week. Everyone trying to make one of the teams varsity or J.V. Everybody sweating and bleeding putting out 110 percent. Warm up, play catch, then take the field for an in and out, and then batting practice. Then our field duties rake the first base pit that is what I do. I make sure it looks nice and pretty after practice.

Now after all that hard work for weeks it is the first game. All of us want to play but we know that’s impossible. We knew that some players would be disappointed, but happy to be there watching their team win. After that game we all had to earn a spot on one of the teams again. I couldn’t wait to play in the second game it gave me chills just thinking about it. The last practice before the game coach told me to dress out. “Jimmy you will dress out this game.” Coach said. I was so excited me, Jimmy, on the field with people in the stands yelling my name. I didn’t play the first inning though or even the second or third and not even the fourth. Four whole innings of bats cracking and balls pounding leather with a loud pop. The crowd cheering, and players yelling from the dugouts. Smacking on gum, and grinding metal spikes into the dugout floor. I waited and waited for coach to say “Jimmy you’re going in get ready.” But it never happened I never went in. When I approached the coach he said, “Practice harder and don’t have an attitude.” I was upset and so mad that I didn’t get to play, so I practiced and practiced. Getting one percent better every day. I practiced and sweated so much till there was no more sweat for me to sweat.

Then the next game I was there right where I wanted to be. I was with the rest of my team playing the game I love baseball. I was there it was the best feeling in the world. I made it to the game I wanted to be in. It didn’t just give me the physical pleasure of being there but the mental pleasure, knowing I was good enough to play. I had done what they said I couldn’t do, and what they wouldn’t let me do.