My love for sports and baseball in particular has been tested in the past few months. I turned down guaranteed baseball roster spots at other schools in order to attend Emory and try to earn a roster spot. I played my heart out in the fall season, and actually had the most hits out of any freshman. But the coach told me they did not have any room for a walk-on this year and that I would have to wait until next year to be on the roster. I was crushed. Everyone, even the assistant coaches, had told me I had played beyond well enough to earn a roster spot. But there were simply too many roster spots already full, and too many outfielders already on the roster. My resolve was going to be tested. However, the coach said that I could continue to work out with the assistant coaches and the strength coach and that I would almost assuredly have a spot on the team next year. I would be able to practice, but never play or suit up for games this year. This was a test in my life. I could just give it all up and resign to being the normal college student who goes to class and then parties all the time, or I could use this year to get faster, stronger, and better. I chose the latter option. Many people have told me that they would have just quit baseball; working out for a whole year is not exactly what they consider fun. But I did not waver for a second in my desire to play college baseball. This is essentially a redshirt year for me. I do not get to have fun with the team and play in games. It is hard work all the time. I will be on team next year according to the coach, unless something drastic happens. But I do not simply want to just be on the team, I want to be the best on the team. I love baseball and sports too much to just sit back and wait for a roster spot to be handed to me. The baseball players are all of my best friends and I still play with them all the time, but I am still not their teammate. I have already added fifteen pounds of muscle and am in the best shape of my life. I work out with the coaches four to five times a week, and I will be ready to go the first day of next season. I could transfer and go to a school with a worse baseball team, but I want to be an official member of the Emory Eagles, the number one Division III baseball team in the country.