Personal Narrative: Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

That game I ended up tearing my ACL on the 8th play of the game, and just like Tony Gwynn’s world, three strikes you’re out. Indeed I was, I was out for six months with five months of therapy. I was in a failure hole, and was looking to stay in that hole, but I soon realized that I can either sit and pout or come back better than I was the first time. My decision was to come back better, that was one step forward. For five months I went through the most grueling therapy I could imagine, but I never game up and I stuck to the plan that my therapist gave me, step two forward.

All I cared about was being the best baseball player I could possibly be. Little did I know that this sport would present me with an opportunity to do something I had never thought of. The opportunity came to me when I was asked by a family friend to help with the Challenger Baseball Program. This program was created to give kids with special needs a chance to play baseball. All of the participants have some sort of handicap and this program allows them to feel like a normal kid.

After playing softball for eleven years, I injured my back during my junior year high school season. It was my first season officially on the varsity team, therefore my devastated me. Although I was greatly saddened by this, I still stuck with the team. I went to every practice, game, tournament, and team dinner. I kept score at every game and helped my coaches with anything they needed.

my mother yelled. I attempted to explain how I wasn’t going to let down my team because of one injury. “Baseball is my whole life, mom. Tomorrow is the first tournament game,” I explained, “I will find a way to play.” Me being the stubborn kid I am, I talked them into letting me play.

My pitching coach encouraged me not to give up and I became even more determined. When the fall ball season started, I again made my intentions known and continued receiving the same response. Until my mother 's boyfriend started taking a prominent role in my life.

Over the years I have been able to create a face for myself in Plymouth Canton Little League, throwing a perfect game, 18 batters up and 18 batters down, becoming the only girl in the city to do that. It was a blessing to show younger girls that we can do anything. Currently, I play on two all girls baseball teams. Both are based out of Chicago, Illinois. My love for these teams is like no other before, and I am honored to be a part of them.

“Unfortunately, Jack, there will not be many opportunities for you this year.” Seconds after being told I had made the varsity baseball team, I did not expect my coach to so bluntly tell me I would be spending more time watching the game than playing it. Our state ranked team had a pitching staff full of Division 1 commitments and future MLB draft picks, and I was being told I did not measure up. The bench became my best friend.

Baseball: A life full of lessons “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr Suess. My first steps were with a baseball bat in my hand. Baseball was life, the rest was just details.

For most of my childhood, the sport of baseball was the one activity I loved above anything else. Nothing could compare to the exhilarating freedom and satisfaction of bolting full speed around the bases, determined to steal 2nd, beating the "Throwdown" by a fraction of a second. The massive dust cloud kicked up by my cleats and the thunderous boom of the umpire shouting, "Safe!" made me feel empowered. It was in moments like those, when I was in control of my own fate, choosing whether to stay or to run, whether to play it safe or to risk failure, that I learned one of the most important lessons of my life.

At the end of school ball I was faced with some adversity to overcome, by the feeling of letting my teammates, and coaches down after punching the dugout. I had to face the adversity of a broken hand filled with guilt, and embarrassment. Baseball has always taught me to keep pushing through rough patches of life and always have faith, and stay

While playing for a fall league team, a coach from a travel team took notice in me, and he asked me to join his team. Little did I know, my acceptance of the offer shaped who I am now by giving me all kinds of character traits such as teamwork and responsibility. Another memorable event was my first home run. I remember that day as if it were yesterday, and my first home run will always be one of my happiest memories. When I spend time at

When I first joined softball I remember it being such a beautiful day it was really fresh out in the softball field, the sky was light blue with birds flying high above, and the softball field’s grass was dark green and looked great for a picnic. I felt all alone in the big diamond field, my head had second thoughts as I seen all those other girls who were also going out for softball talking to their friends as they were waiting for the coaches to get to the softball field. Since I knew no one and was the youngest one out there going out for softball, I said to myself, I should not come back tomorrow, even though deep inside I knew I wanted to join. I had that second thought mostly because I was lonely and I didn't know anyone. I didn’t give up, I went out to tryouts everyday until the teams were made.

Being involved in sports teaches vital life lessons that will promote you to overcome challenges you endure in everyday life. The passion and leadership required in the sport of softball reflect the qualities to be successful in my education. My life-long experiences in softball have helped me develop into the person I am today in pursuing my academic career. Through my background of being highly committed to the game, taking on leadership roles and balancing academics with athletics it has prepared me for college. Softball is very meaningful to me and is one of my main commitments.

Overall from this experience I did learn something and take something from this experience. It showed me how much love I have for the game of baseball and how much I cherish it. The pain of sitting out all those games made me realize that. I don 't need to be doing all these extra little things like basketball camps or whatever. Possibly risking injury and having to recover and miss time from the sport I 've played my

I had just knocked in two RBI (run batted in). From the chalked-up dirt to the fresh cut grass, a softball field is always a place I love to be. No matter where I am in life I can always rely on softball to make me feel better. I started this physical activity in 5th grade. I found out that I love the sport and was exceptional at it.