Fast Pitch

Context and Reflection:

For the English Final Exam, I decided to choose one of my “Slice Of Life” pieces called Fast Pitch. I chose this piece because I saw it had a lot of potential featuring good descriptions and tons of imagery. When I looked over this specific piece, I could easily brainstorm the possible great improvements. When I was revising, I noticed my original piece didn’t fully communicate the excitement around the action. Tracing over the piece, I included a little more adjectives in there to help out the imagery. This step helped enhance the story. When revising, I decided to “jazz” it up a little by using words you don't normally see everyday. This process of improving my word choice made my work look more mature and professional. Instead of saying “the pitcher threw very fast”, I wrote, “One second it was in the pitcher's hand, the next it was in the catcher's glove.” I put in a whole awful lot of description and imagery in my writing. In preference of words that you know off the bat, I gave descriptions for the reader to better understand my thinking.The imagery helped place a picture in my readers’ heads, like the story was happening all over again.

Fast Pitch

I was waiting on deck, with butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I gripped the bat with my shaky, sweaty hands. It was my first time to bat this season, I haven't hit in a game since last spring. Not to mention, this was my first time playing fast pitch. I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe. All I could think of was "I'm so not ready". I tried to be confident, but so far that hasn't worked. The negativity was taking control of my mind. The pitcher threw hard fast strikes one after another, as if she had been practicing her whole entire life. I kicked the dirt off my cleats trying to waste time. I was almost up. So far, the pitcher struck out two of our best players in a row... and then it was my turn. I stepped up to the plate, listening to everyone cheering me on. I took a couple practice swings before I stepped into the clearly outlined batting box. I lined up my feet as I placed my bat over the plate to make sure I was in a good position. Looking over at the pitcher, I realized I had no choice but to be ready and swing. The pitcher looked me right in my eyes and gave me a death stare. Chills that went down my spine. It seemed like she was trying to scare me, and boy did it work. I bit my lip and was finally ready. She started her wind up, she went from up to down and spun her arm around with ferocity I’d never experienced in a ball game before. The ball came in so fast it caught me off-guard. I felt the breeze of the ball as it flew on by. One second it was in the pitcher's hand, the next it was in the catcher's glove. "Strike!" yelled the umpire. I stepped out of the box to recollect my thinking. Time to put on my game face, get angry; it’s time to win! I stepped back to the plate, but this time, that nasty look the pitcher gave me, I gave back. This wasn't going to get to me, even if we lose, I always must play my hardest to say I tried. The pitch came in fast and "WAM"!!! I felt the snap of my wrist and the tingle of the vibration from the contact. The ball flew right by shortstop. I dashed to first, as fast as a fire truck going out to an emergency. The ball was so far out, I decided to keep running, so I rounded first base planting my foot on the corner and took a brief turn toward second base. The second baseman was just about to receive the ball; it was going to be a close call. I ran faster and put out one foot and slide through the base about the same time the girl tagged the base. Everyone was silent looking at the empire to see the call. Once he called out to everyone I was safe, everyone was jumping with joy, cheering me on like I was doing some great accomplishment. To me, it really was. I can’t even explain how happy I was. My heart was racing and I had a huge smile from ear to ear. I was really proud, and so was everyone else. But that was just the beginning, and then the game went on.

About The Author:

Throughout my experience as a writer I have accomplished many things. According to my teachers, I am an outstanding student who has advanced a lot in my writing. In my opinion, I have improved a lot over the years. Often as a student, I am energetic and ready to learn. In general, as I describe myself as a energetic teachable student, I express myself as a hardworking student in English. The word ‘hardworking’ best describes my as an English student because each day I try very hard and attempt to improve my reading and writing skills. One example of an improvement in my writing was being more descriptive. Before, when I would write, my work was very plain and wasnt very revealing. Now, I give you context clues and more of an idea on what's happening. However, for next year my goal is to engage the reader more. The reader being hooked on what your writing is very important, and so far with my writing, I’m weak on that but I am going to work on that.