The player describes himself getting up on game day with a fluttering feeling inside of him. He explains that he used to have that feeling when the children would wait for his autograph in the parking lot and that the feeling would continue until he stepped out to play the game.

Updike is known for his precise and descriptive word choice. To what is he referring when he describes the fluttering feeling?
A. feelings of anticipation
B. feelings of superiority
C. feelings of anger
D. feelings of joy