Introduction
- The blistering sun beats on my forehead as the batter steps to the plate and I prepare to pitch the leather softball nestled in my hand.
- As I throw the ball with all my strength, the batter hits a hard line drive right back at me, but I catch the ball in my glove and the batter is out.
- Not only has my softball glove saved me from physical harm, but it contains hidden clues to my personality, my background, and the experiences that have helped shape who I am today.
Body
- On the outside of my glove, you can see my name scribbled in black permanent marker and water stains surrounding my name.
- My name is unique and has given me the courage to stand out from my peers throughout my life.
- The water stains come from practicing in the rainy spring weather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I attended high school.
- As you try on my glove, you notice how easily it conforms to the shape of your hand.
- All the individual fingers move together with ease.
- This reflects how important teamwork is to me.
- I was captain of my softball team my senior year in high school.
- I know that to accomplish any major task, everyone must move in the same direction, together.
- If you look at the seams of my glove, you can imagine all the experiences they—and I—have been through.
- You can see me playing catch with my dad for the first time in my backyard.
- You can feel the dirt from my hand after I hit a home run and the joy I experienced after being named first team all-conference.
- You can see my mom, dad, younger sister, and older brother always there to support me at the games.
Conclusion
- Over time, my softball glove has changed in appearance.
- Not only does it reveal important aspects of my life, but the warm tone of the leather shows my aging and transformations as I have grown up.
- As the famous basketball coach John Wooden once said, “Sports do not build character, they reveal it.”
- Through my softball glove, my character is revealed.