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James Gargano

Professor Speckman

EN219

5 November 2019

America’s Pastime

Button your jersey all the way to the top, don’t miss one;

put your hat on straight and make sure it is forward, never backwards;

make sure your belt is on and your socks are black, never white;

cleats need to be tied tight, always double knot them;

if it happens to be sunny make sure you have your glasses as well;

Respect the game.

Once you step foot on the field you must sprint, never walk;

focus needs to be at all-time high, don’t let your mind drift;

always have fun, but the goal is to win always;

understand the situation that you are always in;

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never let the moment get too big for you;

you are here for a reason.

Respect the game.

You have the bat in your hand, the power is with you;

the pressure is on the pitcher, don’t let it shift to you;

understand what you need to do in order to help your team win;

don’t focus on what you can’t do, focus on what you WILL do;

feel the bat in your fingertips, don’t grip it too hard;

breathe while you are at the plate, don’t be tight;

do whatever it takes to help your team win.

Respect the game.

When you are in the field you must always be ready to get the ball;

you must know exactly what you are going to do with the ball when it is hit at you;

don’t get sidetracked ever, you never know what will happen next;

in the infield be ready for a groundball;

in the outfield be ready for a flyball;

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Respect the game.

When you are running on the base paths you need to concentrate;

always be ready for a pick off by pitcher;

always be ready for a ball thrown in the dirt by the pitcher;

always be ready for a line drive caught;

be aggressive, but make sure to be smart;

never make the first or third out at third base.

Respect the game.

In the dugout make sure your mind is always in the right place;

don’t let your mind wander;

if people are talking about news outside of the game tune them out;

let your teammates know what the pitcher’s tendencies are;

Always keep your teammates involved in the game;

it may be easy to start thinking about other things, but don’t do it;

keep all your focus on the thought of winning;

that is the only thing that matters;

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Respect the game.

No excuses.

The game will always reward the team that is the most focused;

the little things matter;

the baseball Gods watch every single play;

things will happen that you never imagined;

the game is unpredictable;

never do anything that would disrespect the game;

Respect the game.

Always listen to your coaches;

they have more experience in the game, so you need to trust them;

they are trying to help you even if it seems like they aren’t;

they may annoy you;

they may yell at you;

but they want what is best for you and the team;

they want to win and help you grow as a player

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They respect the game.

Baseball is pure;

baseball will be stressful at times;

it may be nerve racking;

may even make you sadder than you can imagine;

but baseball will never leave you;

it will always be there for you day in and day out;

it has been around for hundreds of years, and it isn’t going anywhere;

there is only one thing that is mandatory when you rely on baseball;

Respect the game.

It’s life;

generations after generations have played this game;

it’s called America’s pastime for a reason;

the legends have built a foundation for us players now;

we just must go out and enjoy it;

and make sure to respect the game;

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and remember it is more than a game.

The game is more than a game;

it may help you raise a family;

it may help you get your dream job;

it may even help you find the love of your life;

but remember that it is more than a game.

When raising your children, you will pass on lessons;

these lessons may not relate to baseball, but baseball will help you battle through problems;

these problems will be present off the field, but you can imagine that you are on the field;

baseball teaches you that adversity is a good thing;

it’s only a little bump in the road;

but remember it is more than a game.

Your children won’t know how to attack their problems;

but you will have experience in these situations;

baseball will help them;

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it will help them realize that is okay to battle through obstacles;

they might not believe it at first, but baseball will be there for them;

it may take awhile for them to realize it;

but remember it is more than a game.

You may get the interview for the job you’ve wanted your entire life;

you will be nervous;

scared;

anxious;

excited;

but you will need to relax;

you will visualize yourself getting the job;

just like you did before you went up to bat;

it may not be perfect the first time;

or even the second or third time;

but remember it is more than a game.

You may find that special someone;

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the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with;

it will happen naturally;

it may not be the first person;

or the second or third person;

but there is always another chance, just like in baseball;

but remember it is more than a game.

When it comes to the day you have chosen the one;

you are going to be nervous;

scared;

anxious;

excited;

but you are in this situation for a reason;

it’s the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, and you are the one;

she is the one;

just let it happen;

but remember it is more than a game.

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When it comes to the point when your children begin to play baseball it will all hit you;

you will see your child go through the same things you did;

they will struggle the same way you did;

they will have success like you did;

the ups and the downs will be sporadic;

the only thing you can tell them is to keep on going;

never back down from any challenge;

they may not believe you but ensure them that good is coming;

their hard work will be rewarded;

there is light at the end of the tunnel;

even when they want to give up and feel like quitting;

it will get better;

but remember it is more than a game.

Imagine your first homerun;

there is no better feeling;

that homerun means more than just one run;

it has helped me become the person that I am today;

that has given me life;

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baseball gives me the motivation to attack each day;

the team camaraderie is always evident;

the bonds you make will change your life;

baseball will change your life.

It will bring you friendships;

memories;

lessons;

obstacles;

and most importantly;

family.

The sport of baseball is one big family;

everyone who enjoys America’s Pastime is one family;

they may have different views on life, but they share the same love for baseball;

doesn’t matter where they are from;

where they live;

it only matters that they love the game.

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The game gives back to everyone;

and if you are willing to go through the ups and downs it is worth it;

the game of baseball will do wonders for you if you…

respect the game;

and remember it is more than a game.