The big game
... them. My abilities were put to the test that day. A keen eye and a quick bat were going to give me the tools needed to be successful in my at-bat. While digging into the box, I looked around the field. The stands were filled to capacity, and I could hear my family and friends cheering me on. It was a The Big Game 3 big moment, and I had the opportunity to show my coach and team what I could do under pressure. I stood in the box gripping my bat ready to hit, but then I heard the Brother Rice coach call time-out. They were going to make a pitching change. As if I was not nervous enough, by bringing in a new pitcher it gave me the time to think even more about my at-bat. Once the pitcher had finished his warm up pitches the umpire had signaled the game to carry on. Now it was time to get back to business. Again, I get into the box ready to bat. The pitcher began his wind up and threw the ball. I take it, ball one. I step out to take a deep breath, and regain my composure. I get back into the box ready for the next pitch. The pitcher threw, and again I took it. Ball two the umpire stated. Now the count was two balls and zero strikes, and I knew that the pitcher would not want to walk me so he would try to get the ball over the plate. On the next pitch, he threw me a fast-ball right down the middle and I crushed it. The ball had traveled to deep center and at first I thought that the centerfielder was going to catch it, but he did not it went over his head all the way to the fence. I ran as fast as I could around first base, then second, and finally I had reached third base. By that time I had realized that our runner who was originally on first base had scored. We won the game. We had just defeated the number three ranked team in the Chicago-land area. I received a lot of praise that day. My team and coach knew that I could do a great job under pressure. That was one of the biggest games I had ever played. All I The Big Game 4 needed was that extra boost of self- assurance to motivate me to perform the way I did. I now learned that "A champion needs a motivation above and beyond winning." (Goodman, M) Though I was painfully nervous, I knew how to play the game. I had nine years of baseball experience and nine years of difficult competition with me during that game. I did not let fear stand in my way of being the best that I could be. A reporter from the local newspaper came up to me and asked me, "What was going through my head during the at-bat?" "I was a bit nervous when...