Suiting Up

Today I'll swing a bat for the first time in over a month and a half. It'll be my first plate appearance since I ended my high school career by hitting into a double play. I'll get a chance to redeem myself, but sadly it won't really mean anything. Sure it'll be nice if i get a hit or two, but in all reality it's nothing like high school baseball. I won't have my school's jersey on. Instead, it'll be a travel team jersey. Hell yeah I'm excited to run back out into the outfield and chase down some fly balls, I just wish it was for my school.

At my grad party the other day I sat with Mr. Malone, Mikey O's grandpa, and reminisced about baseball memories. Memories like both tournaments in Erie. Like when JC gave up the monster walk-off home run to Erenberg.

Those talks brought up other memories. Memories of eighth and ninth grade baseball with Kropf. Of little league playing with a broken arm. Of our many O'Donnell, DiSanti, Forse dynasties. Memories of playing for Mr. Graziani in Findlay. It reminded me the course I traveled before becoming an outfielder.

The course from tee ball to high school baseball as far as positions you play is usually very similar for a lot of players (excluding lefties.) When you are little if you are athletic they put you in the infield, usually either second base or shortstop. Whenever the wonderful world of "stolen bases" enters the game athletes are moved to catcher. From there you can run the gauntlet. Either stay stuck at catcher, return to the middle infield, or in my case get sent to the outfield to run down fly balls. Most kids also get their fair share of pitching. (Luckily for me I always sucked at it.)

Standing out in the outfield today I'm sure I'll reminisce about the days I spent crouched down behind the plate or the times playing shortstop. I'll remember different catches I've made in the outfield. When I hear the crack of the bat against the ball a different instinct will kick in though. When the ball hits the bat the only thing I'm thinking about is catching the ball.

It's a nice feeling when you can truly hone in on one thing and put all your energy into it.

The last thought I'll have as I take off my spikes after today's game will be, "When is the next time I'll be putting these on?" 

I'm not guaranteed another game. 


Come to think of it, I'm not guaranteed anything. 


I think I'm going to try to walk on to Fordham's team next year. I figure I have nothing to lose. The coach from LaRoche had asked me to come play center field for them at the end of our high school season but that wasn't for me.

Maybe I'll be a Ram baseball player next year...just maybe.

NP: Work Out- J Cole