Dear Baseball,
How are you? I know it’s been a long time since I’ve said thank you. I truly appreciate what you have done for me. Aside from my family, you’re the only one who has seen me progress throughout the years. And now that I’m in college, I can look back and say thank you. Without you, I would’ve never been able to find myself. Some might see you as worthless, as a waste of time, as just a sport. I view you as passion, determination, as a way to express my emotions, and finally, as a friend. You’re always there for me. I can go to you a broken man and come out on top. You know what’s good for me. Here are five reasons why you’re more than just a sport to me:
1. You help me deal with failure.
Baseball, you’re a game of failure. If I get on base three out of ten times, that’s considered awesome. Three out of ten. Thirty percent. That’s it. If I recall correctly, that’s failing. And with you, I can accept that. However, I know how to deal with that so called “failure”. I am able to look back and see where I messed up and fix those mistakes. You allow me to better myself while testing me along the way: physically and mentally.
2. The mental part.
You are mentally taxing. You bring out the best in me, but when I’m down, you definitely bring out the worst in me. When I’m in a slump, you clearly aren’t helping. But it takes mental toughness to get out of this rut. I’ve learned that no matter how low I may feel, the grass is always greener on the other side, or in your case, the outfield. You’ve made me mentally tough.
3. You’re a humbling experience.
You can take away success just as soon as you gave it me. That’s why I’ve learned to cherish the little things in life. Every success should be celebrated, however, when you experience failure, forget about it because there is nothing else to do other than bounce back and compete. I’ve also learned to focus on each game, each moment, each pitch. With you Baseball, each pitch could be my last. I treasure every moment we get together.
4. With each moment we treasure together, I understand that every success starts with a dream, with an idea and to reach your dream, you need to put in time and effort.
Nothing can be done just by talking and believing. While this is a large part, there needs to be a process. Baseball, you’ve taught me that I need to work to be successful. Some kids are given opportunities. You make me work for those opportunities and when they present themselves, you make me go out and compete. And I need to do my best, if I do not, I fail. I fail miserably and need to figure out how to come back and win.
5. You’re my safe haven.
You’ve made me the young man I am today. All my experiences with you have cultivated me to succeed at the next level. I can promise you that what you’ve taught me will not go to waste. And regardless of what happens, I can always come back to you and you’ll welcome me with open arms.
So baseball, this is where I end it with thank you. You’ve taught me well. I’m eager to spend another three years with you as I finish my college career. While it will be emotional to let you go, I know at the end of the day I can take on any challenges brought to me. Like you’ve always told me, “Baseball is a game of failure. It’s about learning how to deal with that failure that makes me great”.
