#22 The Name of the Game

The Name of The Game

Waking up and knowing it’s game day, life doesn’t get much better than that. ‘Cause everyone knows game days are way better than practice. Putting your jersey on, playing for the name on the front and soon people will start to remember the name on the back. Now I’m a typical girl that has to have her hair braided, so it doesn’t look like a hot mess. But you also can’t forget my bow!

While I was stuffing my face with my chocolate muffin, my dad pulls into the parking lot of the ball diamond. My eyes blew up like two fifty-cent quarters. It was the first day of nationals and I couldn’t be more excited. Everything was a mixture of Disney and sports, it was heaven. My team and I were playing at the ESPN SportsCenter down in Orlando, Florida. I opened the car door feeling the southern heat warming my body my excitement escalated. Once everyone on my team and I were all gathered together we made our way towards the stadium. Walking into the stadium gave me chills. When you first walk in there’s an enormous globe made of steel. This stadium included every sport you could imagine. It included soccer, basketball, lacrosse, softball and so much more. There were also TV’s streaming players from all over the park.

My team and I played soon and the adrenaline was going all over. Not only is being in Florida exciting but we have had an exciting season full of memories and of course winning. We had to win the next one more game to make it into the championship out of 70 teams. Our coach informed us by saying “We all know it’s been a long week so far but it all comes down to how much heart and desire do you have left to push yourself to make it to the championship.”

I was starting center field with Brooke in left field and Emma in right. The crowd was huge, and both teams competing now have been undefeated until the timer goes off in an only an hour and thirty minutes. The game went by fast as some would say but in the 7th inning we were tied 2-2. My team were visitors so we didn't get to bat last. All we needed was one more out. My nerves started to kick in, my hands shaking just waiting to see where the ball would be hit next.

Soon the ball went flying high in the air in between center and right. I could hear my friend Emma screaming, “Liz you go, you go!” I knew it was gonna be close and I may fall short. Right before the ball hit the ground I threw my body into the air extending as far as I could reach to try and catch it but I fell to short. The gilt in my stomach started to cling and I couldn't resist knowing we had lost the game.

You will win some games and you will lose some. You have to learn from them no matter how good or bad the turnout is. Not everything is your fault. You win as a team and lose as a team.