"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." - Rogers Hornsby

My obsession with baseball started when I was four. Everyone in my kindergarten class had their own little mailbox that take-home assignments and announcements were placed in, and one day a notice from the local rec department showed up in mine. It was a notice that sign-ups for teeball had begun, and to this day I remember knowing immediately that I was going to register. For the next fourteen years all of my springs, and many falls, were spent on baseball diamonds across Georgia. Never have I been happier than when I was staring down an opposing pitcher under the scorching South Georgia sun. Baseball has taught me countless lessons and has shaped my life more than I could have ever imagined. Baseball taught me not to judge people based on appearance, but instead on ability and morals. Baseball taught me the importance of winning and losing with grace. Baseball taught me to trust my instincts and to own my mistakes.

Although my playing days are over, the lessons I learned and the memories I made through baseball will remain with me for the rest of my life. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a window to stare out of.