The air, cold and frigid, numbs my body as a crisp mist nips at

my raw, runny nose.

My red hands clench the bat with determination.

One by one my feet, wet with frozen sweat, step up to the plate

with a sense of self-assurance.

As I stand glaring into the pitcher's eyes, my heart begins to

tighten.

Awaiting the pitch, a streak of uncertain anxiety shoots through

my body like a comet through the sky.

The ball is unleashed,

Spinning toward me, its destiny unknown.

Not even a millisecond has gone by when I find my arms

instinctively leading the aluminum stick toward this

elusive sphere.

SMACK!

At contact a sensation of inspiration and accomplishment seizes

not only my body, but my soul too.

I have conquered my fear!

For a brief moment my body becomes airy, as if I consisted of

only my spirit.

That's why I play baseball!