What’s Truly Valuable to You? by Sam P.

Something that you buy may be valuable to you because it is worth money. It could be expensive or it could be cheap. As long as it means something to you, then it’s important. A memory, routine or even a feeling could mean a lot more to you because it could be something no-one else has. It can be valuable to you in a difference sense than something that is worth money. A feeling, routine or memory is priceless but possibly your most valuable possession.

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Baseball is my favorite sport. Hitting, running, pitching and catching – it doesn’t matter what I’m doing, I love it all. Throughout my season we played the Holyoke Nick’s Nest baseball team twice. The first time we played them we got beat 15 to 1. The second time turned out much better and we won 5 to 2. I pitched a complete game that night giving up two earned runs and striking out six. My team finished the season a couple games over .500 and had a couple tournaments to look forward to.

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I was at my friend’s house when my Dad called me. He said that the Holyoke Nick’s Nest team was in the state tournament and wanted me to play for them! I was in shock and couldn’t believe it, but I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t know anyone on the team, I didn’t want my teammates on the Tigers to be mad and I thought, well, it’s the state tournament, could we actually win? I went back and forth the rest of the night weighing my pros and cons. Finally I decided I would play for the team but I was still a little hesitant. The next day I had a practice with them. The coach introduced me to all the players and they all seemed very nice. The coach had some really nice things to say about my pitching and it made me feel a little more comfortable. Our coach talked a little about the tournament and then we started practice. The coach had me throw a couple pitches with their catcher. I was nervous but I did alright. Through the season with the tigers I was our starting catcher. It was my favorite position and pitching was just something I did when my team needed me. After practice that day I went up to the coach and told him I can also catch. He said that was good. They already had a starting catcher but needed a backup so I told him that I was fine with that.

Our first game came within the next week. We played the Springfield Indians. We won. I pitched three innings giving up one hit, no runs, and had five strike outs. Our next game was against a team from Boston. After the first inning we were down 7-0. We didn’t give up though and came back to win 15-7. Our next game was against the Tantasqua Warriors. We were playing great coming into the game. I got the start at first base because their starter was injured. We fought hard through out the whole game but we lost. They had one of the best pitchers any of us had seen all year. We walked off the field with our heads down because we thought we had no chance at winning anymore. Our coach reminded us that it was a double elimination tournament so we were still in it.

Our next game was against Belchertown. We needed a win in order to stay in the tournament. I started pitching and started off great. I stuck out the first two batters but then things turned a little. I finished strong thought and pitched four innings giving up four runs and striking out six. In the end we won the game. The next day we were playing a game that meant a lot to me. We were playing the Westfield Bombers. I didn’t like them when I was on the Tigers and I didn’t like them now. The day before the bombers had beaten Tantasqua and now it was between Tantaque, the Bombers, and our team. Whoever won the game between the Bombers and Holyoke would play Tantasqua in the championship game. It was a battle between the Bombers and Holyoke. It was close but we pulled it out at the end. The final score was 9-8.

The next game was the championship game against Tantasqua. We wanted revenge. Our pitcher gave up two runs in the first inning but didn’t give up a single hit the rest of the game. I caught the whole game. When our pitcher throw the last strike on an up and in fastball we all went crazy. We mobbed the pitcher at the mound and made a huge dog pile. We won 6-2 and it was one of the best moments in my life.

***

I’m sitting in my car with another two and a half hours left in the car ride. I need something to do to pass the time so I take out my Ipod. My Ipod has all my favorite songs on it and even some comedy skits. It’s a silver Ipod nano with four gigabytes. When I’m listening to my music it helps make any car ride quicker. Also, when I’m listening to my Ipod it relaxes me and I can fall asleep.

My Ipod isn’t only used during long car rides. I also use it to get me pumped up. Before a game, no matter what sport, I almost always listen to my Ipod. I like to play either some rap or metal music to get me pumped.

I have a lot of different music on my Ipod. I have a lot of rap, some metal, some rock, some R&B, and a little bit of Motown. My Ipod is my most valuable possession at a price of 200 dollars. My Ipod means a lot to me and I would hate to lose it or break it.

My Ipod is important to me because it’s worth a lot of money and I love it. It is replaceable but I wouldn’t want to buy another one. Also, not everyone has an Ipod so I’m lucky. My state championship is important to me because only my teammates and I were able to experience it. I had my own feelings about the victory which makes it valuable to me in a different way. I can always call myself a state champion which would be much more impressive then saying I own an Ipod.

I believe that something you can’t put a price tag on would be more valuable than something you can. It’s yours forever and no one can take it away from you. Also it is irreplaceable. Something you buy can be broke, lost, or stolen but you can replace it. I think that this shows that money really can’t always buy happiness. I can put a price tag on my Ipod but I can't put one on my state championship experience.