Matt W

Tryout Trials

Junior varsity baseball tryouts were the single most stressful couple days in my life. Three days of competition with kids one or two years older than me for a spot on the team. It was almost as if I was playing basketball against Michael Jordan.  I had been working all summer for this chance. When I had moved to the new school, the only thing I had on my mind was playing JV baseball as an eighth grader, a feat rarely accomplished. All the summer training was for these couple days. This was the moment that was the top of my baseball career so far. I knew, being the person I am, that my self-expectation was to make the team.

It helped that I had one of my better friends there with me. Cody Boone and I had played together since we were about 10, and we decided to try out for JV together. It helped to have a partner. He was someone with a like-minded goal who was willing to work. We threw together most days, and if you didn’t know us, you might’ve assumed we were brothers. We prepared together at every open gym to get ready. There were other people that helped during those couple of days. Although several kids helped, I knew it was up to me and me only to perform on the field. On the weekends I hit, threw, and took fly balls.  Although it was a longshot, I was going to be prepared. 

Day one of tryouts went pretty well. We got to the field and headed to the dugout. After stretching, we began to get loose. I was nervous at first, and my first throw was way wide. After that I calmed down and began to get ready for the day. When the first drills started, the nerves kicked in again. After the first rep, I calmed down and began to think I could do this. I grew more confident with every rep. Even with kids watching me, I still did not feel pressure. I’m not sure why, but I think it was my subconscious giving me confidence in my ability. Even with all this, I still was not sure if I would be kept until the next day. I had performed well, but you couldn’t tell me that at that time, because no matter what, I was still afraid to get cut. At the end of day one, Coach Taylor, the head coach, gathered us up and told us that no cuts would be made today. I had made it to day two, but this did not mean that the trials were over.

When a player enters the Hidden Valley Baseball program, one of the first things they will learn is that Coach Taylor hates the color red because it is the color of Cave Spring. On day two of tryouts, I completely forgot about this, and packed a red shirt to wear. Within minutes I heard coach yelling about getting me a new shirt. I immediately changed, thinking my chances of getting cut had gone up substantially.  I went the rest of the day worried about it. I did about as well as the day before, but I was sure I was getting cut. At the end of the day, coach asked for all the eighth graders to meet him outside. I knew this is where it ended. Then, out of nowhere, coach told Cody and me to wait until after everybody else. This meant we were going to stick around! While I wished my other eighth grade friends could’ve stayed, I was glad I was there. Being one of the only two eighth graders left came with a lot of expectations that I was ready to fill.

Day three was just scrimmaging between the players left. I played ok with a couple of hits and played well in the field. The moment of truth came at the end. We lined up outside. I don’t know how I ended up at the end, but I did.  When it was my turn, Coach Taylor told me it was a big mistake wearing red. Then, out of nowhere, he started grinning and told me I made the team.  I had finally accomplished the goal I worked so hard for.

This moment in my life was extremely important in developing my leadership and baseball skills. I had to learn how to lead and be a good teammate when the team or I am struggling. It also showed me the kind of future I could have in baseball if I worked at it. Making the team also brought me to a new level for expectations. I am no longer just a baseball player. I have expectations from other people, as well as myself, and I intend to meet them.