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.
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.
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 pitcher stops to pick up the chalk bag, dust flies into the air. He steps back on the mound, the crowd is deafening. It is late October in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 has proven challenging for the veteran pitcher. The air is crisp as the pitcher warms the ball in his glove; the score is tied, with two outs and a runner on second. The batter steps in the box.
In 1977 a Los Angeles scout discovered Valenzuela in a Mexican baseball league. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela pitched his first ever Major League game. His outstanding pitching led the Dodgers to the “World Series” the Dodgers won against the Yankees that year, and Valenzuela won the “CY Young award,” and the “Rookie Of The Year.” He soon burst on the scene, fans increased by 9,000 every time to see Valenzuela pitch. This was known as “Fernando mania” at Dodger Stadium. He was also given the nickname “El Torro,” but that reign would soon end in 1991, when he was released by the Dodgers.
He had the dedication to make 1000 jumpers a day, and that is why he is arguably the best to ever play. Texas Rangers, Josh Hamilton is another example of an athlete with fantastic dedication. His whole life they told him he was too small, not quick, and fast enough. He had a goal to play in the MLB, and he fulfilled that goal with hard work and dedication. In 2008, he was the homerun champion; launching 28 balls out of the ball park.
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
The game consist of know who your runner is if he is fast or slow down the baseline, is he pull or push guy swinging, how do we need to pitch him fast balls or curve balls? This all goes through a baseballs players mind in about three and a half seconds. The key to the game is to slow yourself down and tell yourself the situation, what do I do if the ball comes to me? This increases a players “baseball IQ”. There are many ways to increase your baseball IQ besides playing the game your entire life.
Michael Barbuto College Writing October 2, 2013 Professor Eaton Descriptive Essay Last year playing high school football was probably one of the most entertaining and exciting things I have ever done in my entire life. The reasoning behind this is that we had an outstanding team which sent eighteen kids off to play college football. Therefore, eighteen out of twenty one people were sent off to play college football, which is pretty good in my eyes. When experiencing high school football, it is all about brotherhood and family throughout the whole entire team. 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.
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.