Opening Day

Opening Day

Many kids and adults across America are watching the game of baseball every spring and summer. The kids argue about who is better, Albert Pujols or Derek Lee, and the adults talk about who has the best chance of making it to the World Series and win it all that year. And the fans wait for that first pitch to cross the plate.

Just a few days before the baseball season starts, owners make any last minte trades they need, and managers set up their starting lineup and batting order for the first game. The players talk about how they're going to win it all this year, and the fans too. The field crew gets the field ready for the long war that stands ahead of them.

Finally opening day is here. Fans line up hours before the game starts just to buy tickets, while young players shake off all nerves about finally fulfilling their dream. Fans smell the sweet smell of hot dogs being grilled and the yell of, "Programs, get your program here! Only twelve dollars each!" As they all find their seats and wait for their heroes to walk out to their position.

Players button up their jerseys and lace up their cleats. When they put on their cap, they know that they have one job for the next two hours: win. They make that walk up the stairs to the dugout, and they don't feel like ball players, they feel like gladiators preparing for a fight. As they listen to the national anthem, the one thing that's going through their mind right now is, "You've done this before, only this time, there's half the city watching. Make a big play."

Fans listen to the words of the national anthem with only half of their mind, the other half is repeating the words, "Play ball!" Finally the moment that they have been waiting for,