- October 2019
Personal Statement
Baseball is not just a sport to me. Throughout most of my life, baseball has engulfed every part of my existence. From descending from four generations of ball players to my parents purposely giving me the middle name Roberts so my initials would spell "ARM", it is easy to see how much baseball means to me and my family. Despite my first organized sport being soccer when I was 3, I quickly realized the error of my ways when I was around 7 years old and was playing in the Franklin fall ball recreation league with the "Louisville Bats". I immediately fell in love. The following summer I was introduced to perhaps the game's most important landmark: Fenway Park. My enthrallment and astonishment with the game was solidified on that magical night in one of our sport's most venerated, and almost holy, sites. In fact, I was so drawn to this spectacle of America's pastime that I remember the details vividly from that game on July 2nd, 2010. Red Sox vs. Orioles, 2-2 game bottom of the 7th, JD Drew hits an opposite field 2-run shot to put the Sox up 4-2. No scoring changes happen for the rest of the game as Papelbon closes, striking out the side in the top of the 9th. That night has lived in my conscious for 9 years and is the reason I truly fell in love with the game that I will never stop grinding for. The dedication I have to my parents for supporting me along the way and my coaches and teammates is why I want to work so hard to continue my experience and journey playing this great game. Other than what baseball means to me and my family metaphorically, my work in the classroom sets me apart, for I have retained above a 3.8 since sophomore year. As an upperclassman, I've maintained a better than 4.0. Turning back to baseball, my 60-time is 6.85, and, as an outfielder, I'd say my speed is one of the most important aspects of my game. I've hit more triples than doubles in my career because when I hit a ball past the outfielders I usually make it to third. My journey through life would not be nearly as happy as it is without baseball. Sure, I'd still be the kid that won the geography bee for my whole school in 7th grade and placed runner up in 8th, or the kid that can beat just about anyone in a game of ping pong, or even just imagining my future as an aspiring historian or politician, but I would miss that one key part of me that doesn't entirely define me but makes up the vast majority of my ambition and joy. For that, I have to say thank you to everyone that has helped me this far, and I can't wait to continue my journey at the collegiate level.
