My name is Oscar Erick Eubanks.  I am otherwise known as Ox.  One look at me and you'll see why.  I am 6'10 1/2" tall and weigh over 400 pounds.  I'm a huge kid, even though I am only 15 years old and a sophomore in high school.

I play Little League baseball every summer on a team called the Rogh Riders, here in Baltimore, Maryland, where we all live.  I have played baseball since I was a pup.  LOL  I LOVE it.  Baseball is one of my biggest passions in life.  In fact, when I grow up, I want to be a professional baseballer: I believe I've got tthe goods.

I live in a brownstone with my parents, grandmother, and my little sister, Ophelia Denise, who is 11.  (Poor kid, saddled with such an ugly name ... )  I get along with my sister most of the time, but sometimes the mutant drives me crazy; she's the baby, and it seems that she can get away with prectically anything! It drives me bat crazy!!  

Grandma is living with us because her husband died last year, and she was alone.  Grandma also has the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, so things can get mighty interesting around our house.  I feel sorry for grandma because she can't help how she is and we have to be extremely patient (not to mention, diligent) with her.

When I play baseball, I can forget about our grandma-problems or fighting with Ophie; I'm in my own zone, and I'm happiest pitching fastballs to the opposing team, to try to take advantage of their weak spot, y'know.  I live for baseball; baseball is my life!!

I hope we have a much better season this year.  Last year we sucked eggs.  We didn't do so hot.  Won maybe two or three games; lost the remainder of them.  The last game we played we lost something like 23-0.  OUCH.  There was no celebration that night, just the coach telling us how disappointed he was in us.

Mom and dad tried to soothe my injured spirit with ice cream after the game, but my heart just wasn't in it.  I knew we stunk; the game that ended badly (for us) was all I could think about.

Thought about it for a very long time afterwards.

We play our first game in April.  We have been having practice sessions every week in the gym or out on our field when the weather's been nice.  We want to be mentally and physically sharp and ready by the time Opening Day rolls around for us.

Still have a little over a month to go yet.

When I am not playing baseball, I like to play hackey-sack, rollerblade, roller skate, ice skate, swim, run with my dad (we run two miles every day or any other day), hang out with my b-ball buddies (Bull is my best friend; he's in my grade at school, and he's the best!), and play the drums.  I've "played the skins" since I was six; I love it!  (If I don't make it in baseball, I would like to become a serious drummer, maybe end up in a rock band somewhere.)

I have a very good life as you can see (other than grandma having Alzheimer's, that is).  

I alao like to go to church.  We go to a Presbyterian church every Sunday.  Our parents want me and Ophie to have a relationship with God.  And we do; God has gotten us through some mighty tough times, especially when gramps died and then grandma getting Alzheimer's and moving in with us.  It hasn't been easy, but we WILL make it, with God's help.

Well, I gotta scoot.  School time in about an hour or so.  Gotta get ready and eat breakfast before the yellow submarine (bus) rolls around.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Oscar (Ox) Eubanks saying over and out!  So long for now!

~Ox.