Have you had that feeling when all the pressure is on you, and you are pretty sure you will fail? Well, that is exactly how I felt at one of my last softball games. It was an important one too. It is late summer, and I walk up to the plate…

The other team is perked up and ready. I am pretty down on myself already because the game isn’t going as how I outlined it, so I think it is my fault. I am quivering. One out, if I get out, there will be two, I think. My team and I are already down a few runs too, which makes the situation even worse. My teammate Leah is on second. This is my chance, I think again.

My heart is ramming into my ribcage like a wild bull. I catch the sign from my third base coach, and the sign is nose and waist. I take a deep breath and square up for a bunt. My teammates start singing a cheer for me. The pitcher winds up like a windmill, but it is a high ball, and the catcher misses. Leah advances to third. It’s all up to me.

The wind up starts again, so I square up again. Thunk! The ball hits the bat and it becomes alive, so I hit the ground running. First base is in my vision; I fixate on it. The third baseman has the ball gripped in her hand as tight as a Boa Constrictor. I’m  about a body lengths away from the bruised base, but the ball is closer, and all I do is run briskly. Bam! The ball hits the fence along with the angered girl.

I’m headed for second. My head is palpitating, my throat arid, and my heart racing just like me, and maybe faster. I’m a couple feet away, and so is the ball, overthrown! At this point, all my teammates and parents are yelling and screaming so loud I think I might be deaf after this! My coach is waving his hand in the air so hard.  I’ve got to keep on going, I can’t get out and let them down, I say in my head.

I somehow find myself at third, and the ball gets overthrown into the Outfield! I’m running so hard and panting like a dog. The ball comes in so accelerated it could be on fire, my head pounding more and more. I hear lots of things from lots of different directions; “Throw the ball already!” or “GO!!!!!!” and, “EEEEEEE!!!!”

I hear my coaches scream over all the other voices, so I must have super hearing or something. “GET DOWN, SLIDE!!” I’m right there, and my heart is sore; I don’t think it is possible, but I am down on the orange-tan sand. When the dust clears out, the catcher has the ball on my thigh, and we’re all breathing heavily.

 “She's SAFE!” comes from the umpire’s mouth. I’m definitely shocked with a mixture of enjoyment. The umpire’s words are like finding out school is over and summer break has just begun, and I love it.

That was a very important memory in my softball career because one, it was my first home run, but two, most importantly, I doubted myself but still got positive results. Never doubt yourself, and don’t be negative because the results may be surprising, which makes you push harder. I doubted myself, and what did I do? I proved it wrong. Be positive, and even if your whole heart is saying no, make it say yes.

-Lauren Lamme