Personal Statement
I have been playing baseball since I was 6 years old. I want to play it as long as I can. I want to earn a scholarship to play baseball to help pay for my education but I still want to face the challenges and obstacles a player encounters in the game of baseball. I plan on earning a degree in architecture or engineering. I have an analytical mind and can be described as a thinker. Baseball defines me and is who I am. My favorite team is the New York Yankees and Yogi Berra once said "Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical". That describes me. I'm a thinker and love the challenges on the diamond.
Ever since I began pitching when I was 9 years old, I have been the closing pitcher on almost every year. I wasn't always the hardest thrower but I had excellent control and never got rattled. I always through strikes regardless of what happened with the previous batter. I have always been able to focus and perform when it mattered the most. I love these challenges. I had the fortune of playing in some big games and tournaments as a young player that have help me become a player that rises to the occasion. I was part of teams that won Dizzy Dean State and world series when I was 11 and a USSSA world series when I was 12. I loved these challenges and hope to have more experiences like this in the remaining years of high school and college.
My dad and I always practiced at home in the basement. He used to challenge me to learn balance and swing while standing on a 4x4 at 6 years old. I would work til I could meet that challenge and any challenge he or anyone else could throw at me. He also made me learn to play every position on the field. I started the year at second base but was able to slide to third base mid way through the year to allow our high school team to get the best fielders on the infield. I pride myself in my fielding and in base running. As a 10th grader on varsity last year, my coach recognized my instincts on the base paths and gave me the green light to still second or third on my own. I love the game within the game and stealing bases is one of my favorite things.
As school began in Junior High, my dad challenged me to become more of a vocal leader on and off the field. Being vocal was something I had to work at but realized it got easier with each passing day. I was elected Team Captain by my teammates and coaches in Junior high. I also have been selected as student of the quarter multiple times in High school and junior high. This aware is not only given to students with high academic scores but also to those that excel in citizenship and leadership skills. This has helped me become a much better ball player.
With my baseball skills and leadership abilities, I know I can make a positive impact with any team. Whether its on the field or off the field and whether its in a game or at practice. I just want to keep playing.
