Baseball: A Game of Passion

The sunshine beams down on my face as I trot up to my general admission seat in the 1st base side stands. A serene sight of freshly cut grass, popcorn, hot dogs, Kyle Field in the background, the train tracks, and a maroon splashed stadium surrounds me. The temperature is a perfect 73 degrees, with a cool, fresh breeze that feels like the AC after a challenging jog. It's another day at the ballpark; Olsen Field to be exact. The Ags are taking on the disdained Red Raiders in a Sunday afternoon rubber match. Spring is here, and baseball is finally back.

The Aggies sprint to their respective defensive positions, ready for yet another exhilirating game. The National Anthem is sung by a nervous freshman, who sings, "that our flags were still there". I sing along as always, thinking of my liberties and my blessings. Moments later, the home plate umpire yells that familiar phrase we all cherish. "Play Ball!"
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There's just something about baseball that makes everything else in this world fade for a time. The sights, the smells, the outdoors, the relaxation, the 5 year old kids with their dads, the anticipation, the vendors throwing bags of peanuts 8 rows up, the smiles, the foul balls, and of course, the memories.

I remember going to Wrigley Field, with its traditional outfield wall ivy, Ryne Sandberg smacking a homerun onto Waveland Avenue, and Mark Grace digging a low throw out of the famous tall infield grass. I also witnessed the lovable losers tank another 3 game series. It didn't matter though. Nothing mattered that day. An afternoon matinee in Wrigley was a magical experience. It brightened my soul, at least for the time being, because it felt like my world was complete.

I remember my junior year in high school on the diamond. I recall the playoff game against Canyon, our first playoff apperance in two decades, and the overwhelming emotions that I felt through that game. A heartbreaking loss in extra innings ended our season that afternoon on Sandie Field. It was the hardest defeat I have ever had to swallow. The passion we had as a team that year was unmatched by any other team with which I have participated since. That's what made it so special.

All the special moments I've had on a baseball diamond, from T-Ball to High School Varsity, have given me a passion to live. The game of baseball represents something inside of me that goes beyond balls and strikes. It's an emotion. The word represents years of heart felt victories and defeats, years of friendships, years of life lessons. Leadership, commitment, dedication, discipline, competitiveness... and so many more values have been developed through a simple game. Values that are necessary to succeed in a tough world that seeks out the people who have the abilities to accomplish tasks and reach goals through hard work and leadership.
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The snap of the catcher's mitt splits the air as the first pitch is called a strike with great exuberance... Streeeeerike! I sit and watch another lifeless performance from the Aggie offense, but some great pitching and defense, and the refusal to ever give up, leaves the club with a chance. With help from some Olsen Magic, the Ags score 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th without a single hit to win the ballgame 5-4. Another exciting game to add on to my seemingly endless repertoire of great finishes seared in my memory over the past 3 years.

Aggie sports are full of passion. That's why I love my school. We are a passionate group full of leaders who are ready to make a difference in their communities.

I can only pray that we have the same passion for our savior everyday, to worship Him and talk to Him with an ultimate passion beyond all else. I want my passion for baseball to loom miniscule in comparison to the relationship I have with my Father.