Batter Up! by Emmalee

Batter Up! by Emmalee - September 2015 Scholarship Essay

It's the bottom of the seventh. The Hurricanes are down by two, and you're up to bat. So many things run through your mind of what you should do as the crowd is chanting your name. You step up to the plate, and the first pitch comes to the outside low corner and wham! It makes contact with your bat and you kick into action. Being a member of my school's softball team has definitely taught me to be a better student outside of school.
The game of softball is ninety percent mind, and ten percent talent. With that being said, there is a ton of learning and studying involved in playing the game. I came to realize quickly in my career of softball that I was going to have to be a good student in order to become a good, efficient player. Throughout the years, my various coaches have taught and stressed to me the importance of listening and taking constructive criticism. I have also learned to be a problem solver and critical thinker in a moments time. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, and when those actions and reactions affect not only you, but your entire team, you want to try to be the best you can.
I am beyond thankful for being able to play softball, not only for the game, but also for the learning. The things I have learned from playing a sport has carried off the field into the classroom and my everyday life. They say that playing a sport is just for fun, but what I have come to realize is that playing a sport, particularly softball, you not only progress at being a player, but majorly progress as a student and citizen of society.