Cooperstown: My Life-Changing Journey, By Keon

The year was 2007, and I had just received the most important phone call of my life. I had been called by the Carolina Braves baseball team with a message that the coaches wanted to meet with me on Sunday afternoon. I could not believe that they knew me, and I had so many questions racing through my mind. I yelled outside to my dad, and asked him if he had any idea how the coach knew me and he was just as puzzled as I was. We both stared at each other for a moment, and we both began to smile , because this must be something big that was about to happen. My dad decided to stop his work and “get on the horn”. My dad is a very confident man, and I knew he would get to the bottom of the matter in due time. Needless to say, in a matter of minutes, he had resolved the big mystery. I had been invited to go the The Little League World Series in Cooperstown, NY. After the shock wore off, my dad and I started “high-fiving” all over the the living room. I knew that this was going to be something great for me. I later found out that one of my baseball friends had told his coach about me, and his dad that I would be an asset to the team. I had seen the Carolina Braves play many times, but I had not seen D.J., my friend, in over a year. His dad finally called my dad, and the baseball play by play was started from that lengthy conversation. These two me were “baseball dads”, and they could stay on the phone forever. Mr. Reader, DJ’s dad, had confirmed that he was the person behind the mysterious call from the Carolina Braves.

I finally realized that I did have talent, and someone had noticed my game. I felt happy, and I was scared to death all at the same time. I had all these emotions building up inside me. I the coach and the rest of the team, and I was a new player that felt like I had to excel to earn my trip. I began hitting in my batting cage, and that is where I would stay for hours. The next thing to work on was pitching. He did not say that I would be used as a pitcher, but I knew to be ready for anything. I knew the game, and my dad had taught me great fundamentals, so why was I a nervous wreck? There was no need to worry about a thing, or so I kept telling myself. The big “try-out” day finally came. I took the field and did what I did best, my dad’s favorite quote. I was all over the field most of the afternoon. The coaches watched me field, hit, pitch, and throw. I knew I had done well, despite the hot weather. The nervous edge had worn off, and I was waiting to hear the day I needed to have my bags packed. Confidence had taken the place of all my fears.

Most of the parent’s were in a line to pay the money for their son’s trip to the World Series. My dad had already told me that we did not have the $800.00 fee that was required for me to go. He said, “if they want you bad enough, they will make a way”. My dad went to the money table, and the coach was already prepared. He said I was already taken care of, and not to worry about anything except spending money for me to bring with me. We rejoiced all the way home. I learned that day that dreams come true as long as you strive to be the best. Two days later, I was on the road with D.J. and his parents. My mom and Dad had to work, but I knew they could watch me live on the computer. I could see them bursting with pride.

My dad had worked with me since I was 6 years old. He was my coach and mentor, because we could not afford outside lessons. All the way to New York, I thought of my parent’s, the greatest people in my life. They had made many sacrifices to keep me involved in baseball, which can be a very costly sport. D. J.’s parents treated me like I was their own child, and I really knew this trip was meant to be. The park was bigger and better than anything I had seen on the website. The place was packed with people, and hundreds of wide-eyed baseball players like myself. I was so excited, because we were staying at the park, and the parent’s had to go to their hotels. We were grown-up now. The next few days consisted of pin-trading with the other teams, lots of eating, and winning some games. We placed 9th out of the 80 plus teams there, and I know my “fans” at home were so proud. I was proud of myself.

After returning home, I was able to think about my experience in New York. I had met so many people, and I saw so many new places. I called the coach of the Carolina Braves and thanked him for providing me a trip of a lifetime. He said,” I was proud to have you on my team, and you are a great ballplayer.” I was needed by the team, and I rose to the occasion. As I have learned in my 15 year life, a person’s attitude and heart will take you a long way in life. I learned that be strong, confident, and having good manners will take you a long way. I have no doubt that good things happen to good people. I have the tools for a good life.