In July 2007, the author pitched in only their second baseball game ever. In the first inning, they walked 6 batters and allowed 3 runs to score by throwing many pitches outside of the strike zone. However, in the next inning the author channeled their anger and threw all strikes, catching a pop fly for the third out. They realized that harnessing their frustration made them try harder and pitch more effectively.

1. Baseball
It was July of 2007 and I was pitching in a
baseball game for only the second time in my life. The
first batter jumped next to the sand-covered plate. I
gripped the ball tightly and flung it through the air.
SMACK! The ball landed in the catcher's black glove
way to the left of the plate. "Ball one," called the
umpire. The catcher whipped the ball back to me. I
caught it and hurled the ball at the catcher. CRACK!
This time, the ball landed to the right of the plate just
barely missing the batter. "Ball two," cried the ump. I
threw pitch after pitch at the catcher until I had
walked 6 people and 3 runs scored. I grabbed the ball
out of my glove again and pitched it at the catcher.
The batter swung and the ball was hit, hard! It flew
to left field and was easily caught. Two more pop-flies
to the short stop ended the inning. The next inning, I
was furious at myself. I picked up the ball and
launched it at the catcher. "Strike one," the umpire
screamed. I threw 5 more pitches, all strikes. I
checked the ball again and it was shot up into the air.
It was coming down right at ... ME?! I pulled up my
glove and plucked the ball from the sky! I realized my
anger made me try harder.