- 2017 Highlights
Personal Statement
Having played baseball since the age of four, the game is a large part of my heart and soul. Its impact is front and center in all aspects of my life from faith to school work to family relationships and beyond. Those who know me appreciate my dedication to the sport. What they might not know is exactly how much the game of baseball has shaped the person I am today and how it will continue to impact my life long after I’ve quit playing competitively. While there are many on-field lessons, a few of the things baseball has taught me stand above the rest.
The first thing I learned is to practice. Practice means “to perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency. The saying, “practice makes perfect” is something baseball players hear from day one, because in baseball, practice is not just suggested, it’s mandatory. Hitting pitch after pitch and catching fly balls until night fall is what makes you better. When success is measured by wins and losses, players are motivated to practice harder and longer. For me, the way I practice on the mound, in the dirt and behind the plate carries over into how I work in other areas of my life. It has created a drive in me to keep working no matter how many times I may fail.
Another life lesson is team work. Baseball is a sport that requires playing as a team to be successful. The game is not won but one but by many. This is true in other areas of life, as well. Whether it is family, academic or job-related, team work is needed. One of my early coaches told the players, “We win as a team and we lose as a team.” This has stuck with me and made me realize if I have a bad game or if someone else on the team does, there is no room for blame or shame. It’s just one game. Learning to work together, pick each other up and encourage one another is a skill that has and will continue to benefit me in relationships, both business and personal.
Composure is a valuable life lesson. As a pitcher, I’ve had to learn how to deal with immense pressure. The stress of having the bases loaded, with no outs on the board is enough to make anyone sweat. When I am in a situation like this, I can feel my teammates relying on me to throw my best pitch to strike out the batter. It’s easy to get distracted from the task at hand. I’ve had to learn to focus on one pitch at a time, one batter at a time. Blocking out the screams and shouts of the opposing teams, I’ve learned not to let me emotions influence my decisions. I have learned to trust in myself and my abilities.
These lessons have shaped both the player and the person I am today. I will use these lessons to reach my collegiate goals of a degree in Sports Medicine and going on to medical school.
