Last year in baseball I was moved to catcher. This was a shock considering it was only my second year of baseball and having played outfield my first year., Before I knew I would be catcher, I assumed I would play the same position: right field…where the worst player plays. One day Mr. Claborn asked me if I had ever played catcher, and I said no. He told me to try it, and I have to admit I was a little scared because catchers catch the fastest throws with a bat swinging only a few inches from their face!
I tried in a couple of practices and turned out to be pretty good at it, but not to the level I needed to be. I struggled believing I would be able to play such an important position. The team depended on that spot. But yet I think Coach Claborn knew that I was young and inexperienced. He had played catcher in high school, so he knew the tricks. He helped me from the first practice to the last game, and I played catcher the entire season. He not only helped me in the sport but helped me understand that it’s not about wins but about having fun with your time and making the memories that matter. That season we went 12-2 all because of Coach Claborn and how he taught us to play and to have fun doing it. I’m truly grateful for him providing us all, especially me, with an opportunity to feel and explore what it’s like to play games and have a season like that. I appreciate deepening my view on how I live my life to every detail.
~ZachJ
