“I’ve got this!” I said. My team mates were all surrounded around the pitcher’s mound trying to boost my confidence. I looked at each of them, panting and with sweat pouring down their faces. I presented a calm appearance on the outside but on the inside I was a nervous wreck. I knew I couldn’t let them down, we had worked so hard this season for this title.
It was the last inning of the final season game, the score was tied, there were 2 outs, the batter had a full count and bases were loaded. This pitch determined our destiny. Would we go on to the championship round? Would we win the entire season undefeated? It all raced through my mind as it seemed like I had been standing there for an eternity on the mound waiting.
As I stood there, the whole season flashed before my eyes. It was the beginning of June and I was headed to my first practice, I had a lot of pressure on me as my grandfather’s company, Evans
Remodeling, was sponsoring this team for Cherry Park and was friends with Coach Watts. I had played with Coach Watt’s son on other teams in the past and they knew how hard I worked, so they expected me to be a leader. I knew from the start he was going to push us really hard and expect a lot from us.
When I showed up to the first practice I was a little relieved seeing others that I had played with in the past and knew they were all really good players. However, we had no idea what was in store for us that day. It was 90 degrees outside and you would have thought he was coaching a Major League team the way he was working us. The drills were difficult and fast paced, and coach did not tolerate any whining.
Whiners were sent to the outfield to run foul pole to foul pole. Several of my team mates weren’t in shape and had not practiced in a while. Some drank so much water during practice that they were sick and throwing up by the end. We all left the field that evening sore and tired wondering if we should come back the next day.
The next few practices weren’t so bad, we started learning some new techniques and how to work together as a team. As we continued to practice we realized we were pretty good and might actually have a chance this year to make it to the championship game. It was the fifth practice that Coach Watts started assigning positions. Cody Jenkins, we called him “Jinx” was assigned to first base, he was short, a little overweight and quirky. We called him Jinx because his last name was Jenkins and he would always say something before a game that could jinx us. Brody Thomas, was assigned to second base, he was the shortest kid on the team but had the biggest mouth and would always talk trash to the runners on his base. Jeremy Lyons, was placed on third base, this kid could jump like a NBA basketball player and he was quick to fire the ball to first base. Shortstop and pitching was alternated between myself and Fuller Watts aka “Fullofit”. Fuller was so cocky and conceited that he was always getting in trouble with the coach for comments he made during the games to the umpires. The outfielders, Thomas Cane,
Lewis Pratt, & Joseph Moon were all quick and could catch anything that came their way . As you can see we felt we had an advantage because all of our players were pretty impressive in their positions.
The day had finally came, it was the first game of the season. Our team was pumped up, as we all arrived at the field and we began to warm up. As the other team started to arrive and fill up the dug out, my team mates were all joking about how small the other team was and how we had this game.
Little did we know what was in store for us. These guys, although little, were powerhouses. Fuller started pitching , and everything he pitched, these kids were crushing. It was the 3 rd inning and coach

finally decided to pull Fuller and put me in, we were losing by 5 runs and our team was a little depressed. As I stepped on the mound, I remember thinking I have to be a leader, they are all depending on me to get us out of this inning. As I started pitching, the opponents started swinging and missed everything I pitched. I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped off the mound and ran back to the dug out to grab my helmet, batting gloves and bat. As I walked out to the plate, I knew I .had to start it off and get my team mates back pumped up. I watched as the first ball passed me. “Strike!” yelled the umpire. Sweat was now beading on my upper lip, “Crap!” I murmured, “ I wasn’t ready” I watched as the pitcher lined himself up with home plate and as the ball came down the strike zone, this time I was ready, I swung with everything I had and made contact with the ball. I dropped the bat and started running, I rounded first base, second base and started for third. I seen my coach wave me on and throw his hand up to stop me at third. He patted me on the back and said “Great Hit Son!” I seen my mom and all the parents going crazy in the stand. I must have started a rally, because after that each of my team mates stepped up to hit singles, doubles, triples, and by the end of the inning we were winning 85. We ended that game that evening winning 15-5. My arm was sore, but I was too happy notice.
After that game, my team never sized up the opponent based on what they looked like. We all learned our lesson with that. We went into each game with positive attitudes and knowing that we had to give everything we had. We had fun and worked hard and it paid off.
It was at that time, I come back to reality and heard the crowd in the stands silence as the umpire yelled,
“Play Ball!”. Everyone was waiting, watching, staring at me to see what happened next. My heart was pumping fast and as I took my stance and released the ball I had thrown a perfect curve ball, the batter swung hard and missed the ball by millimeters. It was all over! The game was over! We won! The crowd went crazy. My team mates all ran toward the pitcher’s mound, jumping and screaming. We ended that season undefeated and went on to play in the Championship game. Unfortunately, we lost this game but did not lose our pride.
This season taught me a lot. I learned that if we all worked hard as a team and used each others strengths we could accomplish great things together. Teamwork can be applied to just about any situation in life where you have to work with others. It is important you learn how to work with others in life as it could be an excellent trait to use at school, in sports, family chores and at work. If you work hard, play hard, and have confidence in each other you can accomplish anything!