Each play on the dusty diamond is executed with purpose, precision, and perfection on this searing, blistering August day in 2017. Eye black streaks our faces and dirt is smothered on our deep blue uniforms. Undoubtedly, we are sore from the games we played throughout the week. Game after game, we pitched, hit, and ran. Over and over again. Afterwards, we would party in the hotel, crash the swimming pool, eat at restaurants, and compete at bowling alleys. Despite the entertainment, when it is time to play, my best friends transform into a softball team - determined and focused.
When one player dives, the others are compelled to pitch quicker, slide harder, and run faster. Our momentum and ferocity allow us to continue playing in the tournament. …show more content…
The right fielder catches it. Frustrated and irritated, I jog back to home plate to retrieve my bat. I know my coach will tell me I had a great hit. But I know a truly amazing hit would have never been caught. On defense, Kraze holds back Intensity when the center fielder catches a fly ball, the third out. Running into the dugout, I know we have one last chance at bat. The score is still 3-3, and there are only ten minutes left on the clock. On deck, I take a few practice swings to calm my nerves. My teammate, Alaura, hits a double. The batter before her, Amari, advances from first to third. Then, Coach sends in the pinch runner, Kiki, for Amari, our catcher. This benefits us in two ways - our catcher can save her energy, and we have a fast runner on third base. Now, I walk towards home plate with a promising plan - to drive in the two runners. There is one out. No pressure. I …show more content…
It seems to drain through my body and replaces itself with a strong urge to rip the ball out of the field. The first pitch. I swing. The ball soars through the right field. Forcefully, I swing the bat downwards and run towards first base, my cleats imprinting the ground underneath me. If the ball is dropped, we may score two runs. If it is caught, the runner on third may tag up or steal home effortlessly. In other words, I hit the ball in the perfect location. Rounding first, the ball is still soaring higher in the air, but the fielder has positioned herself underneath it. I shuffle back to first and see the player, number 38, snatch the ball into her glove. My teammates in the dugout scream at Kiki to run home. The coaches scream. The parents scream.
Still facing the outfield, I wait to hear the thumping of Kiki’s footsteps towards home. A second passes. No footsteps. Another second. The ball is effortlessly thrown into the pitcher. The umpire points me towards the
When one player dives, the others are compelled to pitch quicker, slide harder, and run faster. Our momentum and ferocity allow us to continue playing in the tournament. …show more content…
The right fielder catches it. Frustrated and irritated, I jog back to home plate to retrieve my bat. I know my coach will tell me I had a great hit. But I know a truly amazing hit would have never been caught. On defense, Kraze holds back Intensity when the center fielder catches a fly ball, the third out. Running into the dugout, I know we have one last chance at bat. The score is still 3-3, and there are only ten minutes left on the clock. On deck, I take a few practice swings to calm my nerves. My teammate, Alaura, hits a double. The batter before her, Amari, advances from first to third. Then, Coach sends in the pinch runner, Kiki, for Amari, our catcher. This benefits us in two ways - our catcher can save her energy, and we have a fast runner on third base. Now, I walk towards home plate with a promising plan - to drive in the two runners. There is one out. No pressure. I …show more content…
It seems to drain through my body and replaces itself with a strong urge to rip the ball out of the field. The first pitch. I swing. The ball soars through the right field. Forcefully, I swing the bat downwards and run towards first base, my cleats imprinting the ground underneath me. If the ball is dropped, we may score two runs. If it is caught, the runner on third may tag up or steal home effortlessly. In other words, I hit the ball in the perfect location. Rounding first, the ball is still soaring higher in the air, but the fielder has positioned herself underneath it. I shuffle back to first and see the player, number 38, snatch the ball into her glove. My teammates in the dugout scream at Kiki to run home. The coaches scream. The parents scream.
Still facing the outfield, I wait to hear the thumping of Kiki’s footsteps towards home. A second passes. No footsteps. Another second. The ball is effortlessly thrown into the pitcher. The umpire points me towards the