It is one month before the start of the season. This is the most excited I’ve ever been going in to spring training. Baseball has been in my life since a very young age and I have never been more confident in my talents going into a season then I have this year. I’m in the best shape of my life and I feel unstoppable. My arm is stronger than ever and I am swinging the bat better than I ever have before but soon my confidence will take a halt.

It is Sunday around 5 pm and I am at the local YMCA, like I am usually every day. I’m in the basketball gym and a few kids ask me to play. Just like every other time I hop on the court and play. I’m running full speed down the court, I’m so close the person I’m guarding that I can hear every puff of air he takes with each step. He goes up for a lay-up and I go right up with him. I block the shot. As I come down from the air I land and crash straight into the wall. I hear a pop in my shoulder. I let out a loud roar as I’m grimacing in pain. At that moment I knew something was wrong. I leave the YMCA and drive home. I tell my mom that we need to go the emergency room.

We leave the hospital after I get my x-rays. The doctor I saw is sending me to an orthopedist to be further examined. As I enter the orthopedist office my stress increases. They tell me they are setting me up for a MRI. The x-rays came back negative but the doctor feels that there is a good possibility of ligament damage. Just as they assumed they found a slight separation in my shoulder and a torn labrum. That was devastating news. As a pitcher, you never want any problems with your shoulder. I saw my whole season flash before my eyes, and all I could do is break down and cry.

I went back for a second opinion the next day and I received some exciting news. The doctor told me that the injury I sustained does not require surgery and with hard rehabilitation I should be able to play the full season but my pitching would be limited. It was a bitter sweet feeling knowing I can play but also knowing my pitching schedule will change drastically. So I get to work. I got to physical therapy every day, working out, running, and strengthening my injured my shoulder. I have never been more determined in my life. With my shoulder still slightly injured, our first practice is right around the corner and now I’m stronger than ever.

After I have been practicing for a week I get some more great news. I’ve been cleared to pitch in a game! Our first scrimmage is the following day, and though I have a pitch limit of 30 pitches I am still filled with excitement. I have never been more ready for a game in my life and there is nothing that is going to keep me from playing. Not even my shoulder.

It’s game day. The adrenalin is running is running threw my body like racing horses. I’m confident in my ability and my whole team has my back. I run out to the mound and begin my warm-up tosses. Sweat is running down my body, I can’t lie, I was nervous. I’m standing on the mound, staring at the batter, getting ready to throw my first pitch since the horrific injury. I go through my wind up, and then the pitch…