Looking Back Essays Example

When I was seventeen, I was faced with a decision that ultimately changed my life because of the deep personal effect it had on me. During my sophomore year at Grissom High School, I tried out for the junior varsity baseball team and was accepted. I was overjoyed. The season turned out to be very frustrating. The coaches did not allow me to play very often, over the course of the season I was only at bat a total of five times.
Despite the lack of playing time on the field, I tried to remain optimistic and positive about the team’s efforts. I worked hard at improving my game and skills as a baseball player. I had hoped that the coaches would recognize my efforts and my excellent attitude. The coaches did not see it but my teammates did. That year, the team voted for me to receive the “Tiger Award”. This trophy and title were awarded to the player with the best attitude and represents the spirit of the team both on the field and off. My teammates had valued my efforts, and yet the coaches had not.
Out of a total of thirty games that season, we lost miserably. The team only won five games. I asked the coach to consider changing my place in the line-up and to allow me more time on defense. My pleas fell on deaf ears. He had different ideas for the team, and apparently I was not a part of his strategy. I was frustrated and angry. I could not prove myself as a competent player if I was a fixture on the bench all of the time.
At the end of the season, the junior varsity and varsity coaches met with both teams and each of the players. I was informed that my performance was not acceptable as a player but I was welcomed to return in my junior year as the team’s manager. I was devastated. Even though I accepted the manager’s position, it would not work out. I wanted to be in the game, not a spectator. As I sat on the bleachers contemplating this bitter news I had to fight back my tears. I made a critical decision in that moment: I would prove these coaches wrong. Not only would I play baseball again, I would dedicate myself to becoming the best player on the field.
During my junior year, I transferred to a new school. The school was predominantly black. Ironically, the name of the school was Lee High School, after the Confederate general. I made the baseball team at Lee and had a successful season as a baseball player. The success I had playing for the General’s reinforced my desire to prove my old coaches wrong in their assessment and dismissal of me.
My baseball career was short lived. That summer, I tore the labrum in my throwing arm. The shoulder injury left me without the strength and skill needed to resume playing successfully in my senior year. I was on the team but I saw very little play time on the field. The injury was not as devastating as the treatment of my coaches back at Grissom High School though.
The injury prevented me from pursuing the sport I loved but it was physical and real and negatively affected my performance. The attitude and decisions of the coaches at Grissom was without merit or validity. This experience however, taught me a valuable lesson. I learned that I should stand up for myself and work harder. Dreams are worth pursuing and a good attitude and hard work will get me to where I want to be.