Image by Purbalite staff

Purbalite seniors evaluate their four years of high school at Baldwin.

I was in right field in the seventh inning of Baldwin baseball’s second game against Connellsville when a ball was hit shallow into the outfield. I dove and hit the ground hard, and then I was in immediate pain.

I knew something was wrong, but I decided to stay in for the last inning. That night, after getting an X-ray, I found out that I had fractured my collarbone.

Just like that, my senior baseball season was over. It was especially tough at first. As I watched the team’s practices and games, I wanted nothing more than to be back out there. 

I stayed supportive, though, and watched my team clinch second place in the section and earn Baldwin baseball’s first playoff trip in 11 years. 

Watching the team’s success brought mixed emotions. Of course, I am happy for my team and how they’ve done this year, but it is hard being forced to watch from the dugout.

What hurt the most was watching the team’s close playoff loss from the sidelines, when perhaps I could have helped the team win. 

This experience helped me learn an important life lesson. Life is full of hardships, and you just have to learn to keep moving forward – no matter what.

Even though I was injured, I still gave my full support to my teammates. I wanted nothing more than to be out on the field with my friends, but I pushed those feelings aside so I could cheer on my team.

That was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life. 

I will carry this lesson with me throughout my entire life. Even though it’s hard, there are certain things you have no control over. 

Once I got injured, there was nothing I could do about it except be there for my team, and that is exactly what I did.