I look forward to this time every year. It has been a long, cold winter sitting in the corner of the garage. I see her coming toward me with a smile on her face. I know that she is excited. She's always excited at this time of year. .
As she picks me up and throws me on her shoulders, I remember when she first started. Since she was six, Amanda has had a determination and a love for this sport like no other. Year after year, she has improved not only in her ability to play, but in her maturity as well. I think of last season, her best season so far. I remember all the homeruns that were hit and the no-hitters that were pitched. I wonder how many more she will hit and pitch this season. .
She sets me down in the grass and opens my middle compartment. She puts on her cleats and picks up her glove. She places her glove on her head, just like always, while she stretches her arms. Now, she calls for her dad to come and practice with her. Her dad is the one who taught her how to play. He always told her that how you practice will be how you play, therefore she has always given one hundred percent in practice. .
As he sits on the bucket with his catcher's mitt, she steps onto the mound. It seems that every pitch that she throws gets faster every time. Every year, she sets goals for herself, and every year she meets them. One of the things that she loves most about playing is the people she gets to play with. Amanda has always been one who cares about everyone on her team on and off the field. If you need help, she will be there to help you. If you need advice, she will be glad to give it to you. She has this fun-loving, free-spirited personality that attracts others to her, and she loves to be around people. She has a way of brightening people's days, especially with her laugh. Once you hear it, there is no way you cannot laugh. Amanda's friends would describe her as a person with a good heart.
