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Jackson Anderson

Ms. Teuscher

English 1010

12 September 2018

Observation Essay

Bluffdale city park, the field that has acted as the city’s main grounds for family events

and plays, has recently been outclassed by a neighboring Wardle park. The field now reduced to

nothing but a thrashed and outdated area used for youth sports and the occasional

playground-goer. As I looked around, the only people I see at the park were soccer players and

their families, who varied in size and personality.

As I watched the small band of 15 girls run for the ball, calling to their teammates across

the field, I noticed the team of younger boys right beside them and how the lack of experience

was noticeable among most. I could hear shouting behind me, the urging of a coach for his

player to put the ball away in the net, only to be let down when the goalkeeper outstretched and

saved it. As it was blocked, the opposing team simultaneously cheered for their fear of loss was

temporarily delayed. I then turned around to watch the girls and noticed the wide range of height

and weight between them, being at the age where some are maturing, but some still appear to be

children. The play comes to a halt when a green-stained, formerly white ball flies into their drill.

The young and inexperienced boys had misplayed a ball, an act they would later duplicate. As I

settled down into my chair, the sun was at such a level in the sky that players and families alike

must shield their eyes to protect from the golden rays of light that disrupted our vision. While
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sun continued to sink behind the mountain, it welcome a cool breeze that chilled every man or

child out in the field.

For most, simply observing the fluid motion of the ball and the athletes who competed for

it would bring enough entertainment to last them through the training. But for some spectators -

including myself - analyzing the tactics and strategy of the teams around me allowed to me

perceive the play through their perspective. I am not alone in this thinking. Out of everyone

who remained at the park, a vast majority of parents were either former players or former

coaches, who naturally would analyze and compare players on the field. While they studied the

play to consult their children at home, there were those whose laughter could be heard from the

parking lot, usually talking about some exciting facebook post or event in their life. There were

also those who rarely watched their surroundings, bemused with the small children running

around, making a mess they will never clean. Other parents may be sitting in small groups,

speaking quietly of a rumor they heard or bragging of their own child’s performance.

As the practice was ending, the faint hums of engines could be heard off in the distance

as teams were slowly pulling away to return home. And in the last few minutes of sunlight, with

the lack of cheering the game formerly behind us, the evening grew eerily quiet as the fatigue set

on the remaining players. Looking all around me, the parents who were so proudly speaking of

their children were now returning to their cars. Now the final calls and whistles were being

blown for the end of the session.

As my sister continued to make her way over to the vehicle in which my mother was

driving, I was able to understand why nights like these came to be. Not necessarily the cool

weather or the fading sun, but the dedication of these children who attended every practice, every
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game for their whole life; striving to improve. I also realized the amount of spectators was

dependant on the location and climate. Without the convenience of the once-popular park, and

comfortable breeze, the wide array of families and parents would never had gathered.
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Works Cited

“Bluffdale, UT | Official Website.” ​Site ID​, www.bluffdale.com/.

“Most Popular in Utah.” ​Soccer Fields - Bluffdale, UT​, 5 May 2016,

www.sportsfieldsusa.com/fields/soccer/utah/bluffdale/bluffdale-park.