Special Place Final Draft

New Team, new school, new dream, and a whole new way of baseball. The first day of Moanalua High school baseball was very frightening. All the players seem nervous because this is there fist time, too. The coaches were more strict, and everyone is fighting for a spot. Some might say that this is nerve-racking, but for me it was always a great way to clear my mind. The relaxing thoughts of making a nice play, and hearing the umpire say, "You're Out!" had put a smile on my face and calm my body down. Even though the way of baseball in high school is different from little league where everyone plays, I promised that I would try my best no matter what. I wasn't the most skilled person on the team, so I knew I had to work 200% everyday. I needed to show that I wanted to play. Ever since the first day I started to play baseball, I knew I had a passion for it, and I knew that this was the sport for me.

The invitational rural baseball league was starting the next day. There I was in my bed nervous for our first game. It was at Hans L'Orange, one of the nicest fields in Hawaii. There was always a lot of people watching, because the bleachers were grassy green, and shaded with a nice cool and breezy roof. Often times during the mid-day, all the people were crammed on one side because the sun was burning the other bleachers. The funny thoughts of them squeezing into one spot had slowed down the pressuring world. This game was different, though. It was a night game, so the crowd would be split into two sides, and cheering for their own children. Just the thought of having a night time game at a dreamy field, made me want to run around the whole house to the excitement. Everyone would be watching.

It was a short car ride from Aiea to Waipahu. I was looking out the window, staring at nothing, but imagining the great things that I could do to help my team. My hand was trembling to the thought of messing up, but that's what was baseball was all about. I knew it would be different when I get to the field. I could see myself making contact with that ball, and seeing it fly right over the infield. Then, smiling at the third base coach to the happiness of getting my first hit of the season. Also, a picture of myself diving in the dirt to catch a ball, made me excited to play even more. The thought of dusting off my pants and shirt and hearing the crowd roar. Teammates would smile and say, "Nice play," wishing that they could get a ball just like that one. The joyful thought filled my head and I just hoped that they come true. I could taste the last bit of my granola bar, my ritual snack. The chocolate mixing with the granola, and having to chew it well. It slid down my throat, like a base runner, as I grabbed my bag and rushing to the field. Everything connected to my special place, and that's how I know that this was my second home. 

I could see it already. The marvelous green grass, cut even throughout the whole field. The dirt looking soft from the hose that would keep it in place. The smell of wet grass and dirt were all around me. I was finally here, my happy and special place. I stopped a moment to close my eyes and take a deep breath. My heart was pounding like a taiko drum, I needed to play good, but all that was not bothering me because I was gonna play with all my heart. I walked into our nasty and dirty dugout that was as narrow as a bottleneck. The other team had a better side. Oh well. Our team was still confident, even though we were ants compared to them. They were a bunch of seniors picking on freshmen, and sophomores. Although that thought was frightful, I was relaxed and calm. I just couldn't stress out right now. The scenery was too beautiful, and calming. No homework, or schoolwork, or tests bothered me, nothing. Every crack of the bat reminded me of homework being ripped in half. Every time the ball had hit the glove, it sounded like textbooks being thrown on the floor. It was just a place I needed, a place to just forget about all that homework. I had a smirk on my face when the umpire said, "Play Ball!" and I was ready for my first high school game. Scary, but it was calming my mind. The coaches somewhat put pressure on you, but just the advice they give is relaxing because you know what to fix. All the yelling from the crowd made me excited instead of nervous. This was the place where I never needed to tell myself to calm down. It was a habit already. I have been playing for 9 years already, so nothing is new. Just a game made for failure, and a game to have fun and relax.