Writing Contest

Dear Mr. Giamatti

I see the lights from the field as I walk through the tunnel to my seats in the stadium. Walking out of the tunnel to be able to see the whole stadium and to think how beautiful it really is. To see the big stadium lights, the teams warming up, the grounds crew preparing the field for tonight’s game, and the smell of the fresh cut grass. I think to myself how wonderful the game of baseball really is. When I read your essay “The Green Fields of the Mind”, I could see the bond between us from enjoying the art and poetry of the game.
As soon as I could walk, I fell in love with the game of baseball. I saw the beauty of the game right from the start and from then on out I have always loved the game. To go to the ball park and see the features and characteristics of the game that gives it that special personality. To walk through the gates into the stadium is almost like going into another dimension. The environment changes to focus of the game and its characteristics. The smell of the hotdogs and popcorn, the sound of the vendors yelling, “get your ice cold beer here.” To see the freshly painted lines and the dirt of the infield raked to perfection. All of these sights and smells tell me that the first pitch is soon to be thrown.
The players of the game have to be very fit and athletic. They have be able to stretch out for that diving play or to avoid a tag at home plate and to be able to jump twice their height to snag that line drive. I’m sure that you will agree with me that the level of athleticism that is required to play the game is beyond the level of extraordinary. After playing the game of baseball for half of my life I have experienced that level of physical accomplishment. I find it very astonishing that I am able to leap up to grab a line shot and turn a double play to win the championship, or dive for a fly ball in the out field. I have played the game of baseball for nearly eight years and I have experienced the athleticism to be able to play the game.
It’s great to see that you and I have the same passion for the game of baseball. While reading your essay I to, feel that disappointment of the beginning of fall when you know that the season is coming to an end. That dreaded feeling of your favorite team that is two and a half games back with five to go and the pressure turns on with the clock winding down. After your team has lost and is out of the race for the playoffs you stand by your seat and think. You think of the great plays and games of the season, and then you think of the play that lost the game to be in the playoffs. The game of baseball is way to bring people together and learn about others.
The sights and sounds of baseball have always played a big role in my life. I love the lights, the cheers, the big foam fingers, and the way the game is played. All of these things are what make the game special, all of these things are what make us so similar. Thanks for showing me your thoughts of the game Mr.Giamatti because I know you will understand my thoughts and feelings for the game

Final- 3

WA- 3

Charlie Murray

It was a clear sky at X games 13, as the crowd went quiet and the lights went down. the spotlight started to fly around the stadium. Finally, the spotlight came on the figure that was dressed in all black. He grips the rubber handle bar and pumps the throttle letting out this loud pinging noise. After a while from sitting on top of the ramp and getting the crowd pumped, the mysterious rider took off down the ramp.

Traveling down the ramp at a good speed, the rider hit the jump at the bottom of the ramp, his tire gripping and ripping the dirt from underneath him. He hits the jump. The crowd went silent and there jaws dropped as the rider flew into the air. The rider starts to turn into a back flip, and the crowd goes so loud that someone couldn’t even whisper. The mysterious rider comes down perfect and the crowd threw up there hands in excitement,still wondering, “Who this guy is?” The rider turns around in front of the wall on a sharp turn, shooting little pieces of rock and dirt into the front row. He rides on to the highest jump and takes of his helmet.

The crowd yells, “ It’s Travis Pastrana, it’s Travis Pastrana.” The fans jump out of their seats in excitement and happiness. Travis rides back up to the top of ramp for another trick. This time the crowd is even more pumped and ready to see something good. He arrives at the top of the ramp and waves his hands in the air, almost if he was a leaf blowing in the wind. Travis straps on his helmet and is getting ready to go. This time he fly's down the ramp twice as fast. He hits the jump and shoots into the air. He pulls the bike back and comes back around, but goes around for a second spin. He loses control of the bike in mid air. He's free falling.

The bike goes flying through the air without its rider. Travis hit the other end of the ramp with a loud thud and the bike hit the ground and split into two pieces at the handlebars. The crowd went quiet and everyone had their hands over their mouth. They couldn't believe what they had just seen. The bike hit the ground and split like a piece of wood being chopped. Meanwhile, Travis was rolling around on the ground in pain. He had suffered a broken arm in two places.

After the freestyle competition, Travis was escorted to a local hospital and was treated for his arm. The crowd all clapped as he got up and got into the ambulance to be carted off. People were praying for him at the time and were hoping that he would be okay. The announcers announced that Travis was going be okay, but that he wasn’t going to ride for a while. After all of the riders finished their tricks, Travis showed up with a cast for the award ceremony. “Coming in third place Travis Pastrana,” the announcer said. The crowd erupted, it was a pretty good night other than his injury.