A few words from the baseball sister

When I look back at everything, I still wonder if it was all a dream. (I know that sounds like a total cliche, but its true!)
My brother did something pretty damn amazing with baseball.
You know, its funny, but I always tell people the same thing: that i keep missing out on my social life and being a teenager. But, to tell you the truth, I had a blast this summer, and something that I thought was so boring became exciting. Sitting there at the Little League World Series, screaming out "DONT GIVE UP!" and throwing a fast pitch of my heart and soul to the pitchers mound where by brother stood was almost the best summer of my life. (Its not the best because I hope there will be more to come)

Now, being the arrogant older sister, I'm pretty used to getting the good grades, wanting the center of attention, and trying to keep my brother as the younger sibling, our parent's #2 child. So, it was kind of a shock when you see your brothers name in the paper or on the news and have every dinner conversation be about baseball, baseball, baseball. But it was all worth it.

Baseball is one of those sports where you don't like it until you really get into it. There are no body checks, fights, soccer injuries or loud arrogant men with sweat pouring down their faces screaming at each other (well, sometimes). It is not all good fun though.
Baseball is more than just hitting, throwing and catching. It's strategy, passion, endurance, bravery, and most important...heart. (This is not to say that other sports don't have heart, they definitely do. Just baseball sometimes gets thrown on the back-burner)
I have seen so many kids with tears, yes, tears streaming down their faces, after losing a game- and I never understood how they could be so into it. I mean, I even felt sometimes that I could easily get up to bat and get a home run. Seriously. However, I still watched my brothers games, trying to figure out why these kids were so passionate. I now realize that baseball is more than a sport that I watch humbly to support my bro.

Baseball isn't a game. It's not a lifestyle.

Baseball is the smell of fresh grass and caramelized onions, seeing families at the games, and watching the players deliver after working on their technique over and over under the blue skies (or grey) and just being there. In the moment. Being a team.
And, realizing that even though the warm days of summer are soon gone, we can still linger through winter, waiting for spring.