- August 2017
Personal Statement
Since I can remember, my dream has been to play professional baseball. I started playing baseball when I was 4 years old with my local Dixie Youth team. I have played recreational ball and some travel ball ever since that time. I have also played at both Junior Varsity & Varsity levels at two different high schools. When I was 14, my family and I relocated to Richlands, North Carolina After moving there I decided to compete in the draft for recreational baseball. I was very afraid I would not make it because no one knew me. I ended up not only securing a spot on the most elite team in Onslow County, but was the top draft pick among all the teams and players! I served as lead pitcher and captain of the team, and went on to play in the All-Star tournament and Regional championship. As a Freshman, it was very intimidating being the only JV player to be moved up to a team with mostly Seniors, however, I competed with them to the best of my ability and it did not go unnoticed. Before moving to North Carolina, I also participated in the Little League World Series as part of the Junior League Virginia District 2 Champions team. This year, I was one of two JV players to be moved up to the Varsity team mid-season at my hometown high school in Virginia. I have even attended baseball camps to acquire more knowledge and experience in the sport I love so much. Lastly, I am very excited to be one of two starters to have already been selected for my high school baseball team during my junior year!
I never plan on giving up on my dream, but as I have gotten older I now realize I have to be a student first and an athlete second. I have had some minor struggles academically due to some obstacles I have faced with a common learning disability. It causes issues concerning processing and comprehending new information. I have received accommodations for my impairment and have learned coping skills to help me overcome those barriers to learning. I have always tried my best and my teachers can attest to that. I am referred to as an "average" student, but I do not believe that word describes me at all. I may not be the best student in the academic sense, but I am motivated by goals of possibly becoming a successful athletic trainer or an exercise science major. I love being active and being outdoors. I also take pride in helping others learn about this great sport. I think I would be an excellent candidate for positions in this arena because of the skills and interests I possess. Baseball is the one thing in my life that gives me self-confidence and has taught me so many life skills that I feel would be valuable in my college and career fields. I have learned things such as leadership, teamwork, and dedication. Some of these ideals you can not learn in a textbook. I apply these skills each and every time I step foot on that field. I sleep, eat, and drink baseball!
As far as college, I would be honored to have the opportunity to play baseball for a university that offers programs in Physical Education and/or Kinesiology. I want to learn more about the human body in order to help injured athletes, train them to enhance their skills, and work in field that will allow me to be active. I think these majors would be a great fit allowing me to use my energetic personality and my love for sports. I think I would be a great asset to a collegiate team because of my abilities in playing multiple positions, quick reflexes, fast base-running, accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness. My favorite position is that of pitcher. I have excellent pitching capabilities and have had many compliments for my pitching efforts from opposing teams, coaches, players, fans, etc. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have been given through this gift of baseball talent. It would be so rewarding to make my college team as proud as I have made my others teams in the past. My passion for this game will set me apart from many other applicants, and I will do all I can to prove that on and off the field.
Baseball has taught me so many things, but so have my parents. My mom is a teacher and has always pushed me to succeed. She has been my mentor and has always guided me in the best direction. My dad has coached several of the recreational teams I have played on, and was an excellent athlete as well spending time playing softball and basketball in his childhood. My parents were very young when they started their lives together. They were not always able to give me everything because of financial reasons, but they did teach me to work hard and to be kind. My mom had just graduated high school when I was born and was pursuing a college degree herself. My dad worked hard to support us while she was earning her degrees, but they always put baseball at the top of their list when it came to my wishes. Now that my mom has completed her graduate degree work and is secure in her career, my parents plan to assist me in joining an exclusive travel ball team known as RISE. I have played travel ball before, but it was always a struggle for my parents because it is very expensive. There are equipment costs, travel expenses, and time commitments that were just not affordable to us. My parents have always supported me because they wanted a better life for me. I want to go to college before starting a family, ensure a career path, and be able to support myself like they have always wanted for me. They've invested so much effort, time, and money just to see me happy. My ultimate dream is to make them proud. I know a college education, a career I enjoy, and a chance to play baseball in the collegiate setting will make that dream come true!
