It didn’t take long for my hand-eye coordination to develop and hitting a baseball thrown at me was no longer a problem. Our first game was here and I was the lead off hitter because I was small, fast and had no problem hitting the ball. Once again everyone was impressed with my abilities at such a young age. Threw out the season my skills continued to progress with the help of my team and my dad at home. As the regular season came to an end our team was the second seed out of 8 teams in the playoffs.
I saw things I couldn’t believe adults would do. I came to the conclusion that there are three different types of softball players; the soon to be pro athlete, the forty year old teenager, and the family guy. The type of people I saw most playing at the softball fields were the “soon to be pro athlete.” These were the ones that would show up in their top notch expensive uniforms for a game of underhand slow pitch softball. They would have ten different types of bats as if there were ten different kinds of pitches. They showed up an hour early to warm up and take batting practice as if it is needed for middle aged slow pitch softball.
Paintball is my culture. Three years ago, I played my first game of paintball. We played with rental guns and masks and had a good time. I was a little scared but it was still fun. Now I play very competitively with 12 of my great friends that I have come to know very well and love like family.
Fernando Valenzuela For my Hispanic Heritage assignment I chose the great Dodger pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela. I decided to write about the Dodger legend because both my dad and grandpa would always tell me how much they loved the way Fernando Valenzuela pitched. They especially loved it when the Dodgers won the World Series in 1981 against the Yankees behind Fernando’s pitching. A reason why Fernando Valenzuela was famous was because he won the “Rookie of The Year,” and the “CY Young Award,” all in one year. Fernando’s first full season in 1981, this was also his greatest achievement as a Hispanic person.
In 2008, he was the homerun champion; launching 28 balls out of the ball park. As of now he is playing in the Major League Baseball World Series. People told him his whole life he could not, but due to dedication he is one of the elite players of his league. The best athletes in the world have an incredible amount of dedication. It is not easy, but it definitely pays off in the end.
Baseball has been my favorite sport since the age of 5, and even though I no longer play it is still one of my passions and hobbies. Over my 12 years of playing and 4 years of umpiring, I have come to have a pretty extensive knowledge of the game. I also interviewed the former Texas Longhorn, national champion, and minor leaguer Steve Labay, who had been my instructor and coach for 3 years. For starters, it is critical you have the right equipment to play baseball. Most important is your glove, or also known as mitt.
The Yankees have been in the playoffs every year since 1995, with the exception of 2008, and the Phillies have been there every year since 2007. Their excellent pitching staff is what took them there. A baseball team without a capable pitching staff, physically and mentally, is destined to end up on the losing side when the season comes to a close. The defensive and offensive sides of the ball are close to an equal amount of importance. The pitcher, however, is arguably the most important position on the field.
The Cubs were always positive, even when they blew a seven run lead in the 2003 national league division series, even when they lost the 1946 World Series in heartbreaking fashion on Jack Spinner’s walk off home run in game 7 against the Brewers, even when the team’s slugger Sammy Sosa was found guilty of steroid usage and was suspended, the Cubs and their fans still remained contended, even optimistic about their team’s chances to win the Central and go to the playoffs. How do they stand it? They must have some serious grit to watch the Cubs, who play like little leaguers every day of the long, exhausting season. Maybe the optimism that they had made them not just the lovable losers, but the likable losers. Yes, they’re likable, but fans, they’re still losers.
This year playing football for Springfield is not the same as last year in high school because I’m not as close with the people on my college team. Last year we had so many exciting games being the top team in New York. I specifically remember the game--we played St. Anthony’s to open up the season. I remember that game perfectly like it happened yesterday. St. Anthony’s usually beats us, but it’s a close game every single time.
At the game, fans form a rooting section, constantly cheering on their favorite players and obediently echoing every cheer that might be started by a section or by the team. Baseball fans, in addition to behaving insanely, are also fascinated by baseball trivia. Every day they turn to the sports page and