Journals

My life through baseball

Even before I could walk my father told me I would crawl around with a plastic bat in my hands.

Photo taken by: Margarita Ortiz

At the age of 10 I had already traveled to states like Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia.
Photo taken by: Orlando Rivera Sr.



I was on the baseball from Friday-Sunday, from 8am-8pm from the age of 7 till I entered high school
Photo taken by: Orlando Rivera Sr.

Coach Joe Urso is one of two coaches to give me an opportunity to continue playing baseball at the college level by offering me a scholarship to the University of Tampa.

A former elite player by the name of Tino Martinez, who not only attended the University of Tampa but also played for my favorite Major League team the New York Yankees

Baseball has allowed me to meet a lot of great people one of them being my brother up the middle Gio Alfonzo who I also played against when we were about 15-16 years old.
Photo taken by: Todd Montgomery

I've gotten to travel the not only the states but also part of the world, as you can tell by this great sketch made by a man in a restaurant when we attended Cuba.

Here is a shot of me signing my Letter of Intent to attend college on a scholarship and play baseball, I have my close friends included in the picture.
Photo taken by: Dr. Harold Border

He are am on my last home game of my high school career with my closest friends and one of the most influential coaches and person I have ever met Coach Anderson.
Photo taken by: Orlando Rivera Sr.

My first ever travel ball coach with his wife and daughter attending my last high school home game. Basically treated me as one of his kids and I am very thankful to have met them.

Unfortunately baseball doesn't only bring good but also bad things like injuries. You can get knocked down but only the strong will get back up.

The sport doesn't only bring you to a competitive field but also brings you around a group of people that are willing to battle with you.
Photo taken by: Nico Milan

I have known Evan Rivera since I first move from Puerto Rico, even when playing on opposites we don't forget the bond that we shared especially having the same last names.

Photo taken by: Rebecca Jimenez

Throughout my 18+ plus years of playing baseball I have learned to enjoy the game, here I am dressed up as John Travolta from the movie Grease.

Photo taken by: Kathleen Gavern

Being an student-athlete causes you to have higher responsibilities, you are held to a higher standard and are expected to set an example.

You go through many stages in your life and sometimes you are lucky enough to capture images from sporting events to remind you.

Photo taken by: Orlando Rivera Sr.

The game of baseball has brought not temporary teammates but forever long friends. The friendships I have built will never be forgotten. 

Photo taken by: Marta Woods

I enjoy being able to go out everyday and play the game I love for the University of Tampa and I am proud to call myself a Spartan.

Photo taken by: Todd Montgomery

Lucky enough to play for this team, with each win we keep making history and I am honored to have the opportunity to go out every single day and compete with these guys.

Photo taken by: Todd Montgomery

Without the support of my parents I truly believe I would not be where I am today. So I am completely thankful for everything they have done for me they are truly a blessing.

My journal tells the story of my life through baseball. Baseball has been a big part of my life ever since I was born. From going to watch my dad play, to going to watch my grandfather play, and then eventually going to my own games. I started playing baseball at the age of three, and ever since then I have been in love with the game. 

Growing up in Puerto Rico at a young age, not many kids get the opportunity to play baseball whether it's due to money or to where one lives. Luckily enough, I had the opportunity to play at a young age; and not only to play, but to succeed. Eventually I got the opportunity to move to the Americas thanks to my dad establishing himself in the country first. Of course, the first thing we looked for was a baseball league for me to play. We found one by our home in Kissimmee; and from there on the rest is history. 

A coach scouted me at the age of eight to join his travel ball team and travel throughout Florida to play in tournaments.  Luckily the cost to join the team was not too much, and my parents allowed me to play.  With that opportunity I was able to meet a lot of great people, many of whom remain friends of mine to this day. The amount of friendships you build through a sport is unreal. Baseball teaches you a lot more than just friendship though;  it also builds character and discipline. My favorite picture from my journal is the one of me and my parents. The reason being is that they are my #1 fans their supports means the world to me. They try to attend as many games as they can and try to help me out with as much as I can on a daily basis. 

I remember at the age of eleven when I got struck by a ball in the chest and my heart stopped. I was rushed to the hospital, where I stayed for a week.  I was truly lucky to have survived.  I never thought I would have the courage to step foot back on the field; but with the help of my parents, friends, and coaches, I fought through the fear and got back on the diamond. That was the best choice I could have ever made, because now I am a student-athlete at the number one school in the nation for baseball, the University of Tampa.

I have had a tremendous opportunity not only to play ball but to excel as a student in this great university.  I am truly thankful for all of the people that have supported me and given me the chance to live out my dream.