Softball transformed me into the person that I am today. I've met friends that will last me a life time, whether we talk everyday or not. Not only are they my friends, they are also the sisters that I've never had. Going away constantly, practicing 2-3 times a week, missing most of my school events and e-mailing different schools are factors that made me into the person I've always wanted to be. Listed below are 11 ways softball turned me into the person I am.
1. Commitment
Life is full of commitments. Going to school is a commitment, playing on a team is a commitment, going to college is a commitment and showing up to your job is a commitment. A commitment to someone or something is explaining that you have your full attention to that one person, sport, etc.
2. Passion
Having passion with something you do makes it so much better. When I stepped onto the field, I felt like I was home. Softball was my home. Every single play you make, every single ball you hit, it's done with passion. Passion is a key component to any sport you play. The amount of passion I have for softball will never leave. Softball was my home.
3. Respect
Even though umpires were probably worse than your opponent, I was always taught to have respect. Respecting those who are older then you demonstrates your maturity. Maturity on the softball field is hard to maintain sometimes due to the bad calls, but as a player we learn to deal with it and move on and to have respect.
4. Practice Makes Perfect
How many times have our parents told us that "practice makes perfect"? I've heard it so much, especially being an athlete, but it is true. Studying for a test can guarantee a good grade but not studying doesn't guarantee you the perfection you want. Practicing the same thing over and over at practice does make it so much better from where you began. I apply this to my job, school, etc. and it truly does help.
5. Confidence Is Key
Having confidence with everything you do, leads you to succeed. Being confident within yourself is different than being "cocky." Confidence on a softball field is so hard to find in a player. Everybody is afraid to make a mistake. Having confidence avoids the feeling of being scared or afraid.
6. "Shake it off"
Life does get hard. Just like a mistake on the field, your coach tells you to shake it off. Easier said than done, right? In life, bad things are always bound to happen. When things like that occur in your life, the mentality to just shake it off and be happy truly does help my attitude towards the event. So in that case, just shake it off.
7. There Is No "I" In Team
Literally, there is no "I" in team. Going into a game with the mentality of "what can I do to help my team succeed?" is being completely selfless and that's what every team does need. A problem faced is that sometimes a team depends on one person to win the game for them, but in reality, a team is a team and everyone must take their part so the team can succeed. Being selfless in a team sport or anything in life that involves more than one person is one of the most important aspects.
8. Everybody Is Different
Being different is okay. Not everybody could pitch, not everybody could play outfield (me), not everybody could hit the ball over the fence. Being different on a field benefits the team so that what one person might not be able to do, the other one can do it. The differences between each team is what makes the team that much better. In life, it's okay to be different from your peers. Nobody is exactly the same and that's 100% okay. I've learned that I am different from a lot of people and can't relate to most and I have learned to accept that.
9. Be a leader
Being a leader is so important in today's society. Everybody wants to do what is already being done and I feel like that shouldn't always be the case. I was always taught to set my own examples in life, even on the softball field and I turned out being very successful. I was a captain on my travel softball team and I felt like I was obligated with the job to set examples for those who were younger than me. Being on a field was my favorite place to be and setting examples and leading my team was my favorite thing to do.
10. Body Language.... My Biggest Issue
How many times have you gotten so mad you shrugged your shoulders and had the nastiest face on because somebody or yourself made a mistake? I am so guilty of this. People do see your body language and they do feed off of that. Whenever I played against an opponent and I realized the pitcher getting upset or mad, I would always take advantage and see myself above her. That gave me the confidence that I am better then she was, as cocky as that seems. Body language is a main problem with people everyday. Instead of laughing and smiling, a person could have a sad face on and it is so noticeable. I try and avoid the negative body language as much as possible when I am off the field.
11. GOALS
Setting goals in any sport is very easy to achieve. Growing up, I had dreams of playing college softball at a Division 1 school, University of Florida to be exact. Were those dreams reachable? Probably not considering I was a girl who lived in New York about a 24 hour drive... I don't regret not reaching those dreams because I had goals to back them up. My goals were to go to college under a scholarship for softball. I accomplished that goal. Unfortunately, the school I chose ended up cutting all of the athletic programs. My dreams were crushed...Instead of focusing on my softball goals, my goal was to graduate high school and get an education no matter where it is. I am currently accomplishing my goal and I would not want to change it for anything. I am so content with what my life is and how it turned out. Setting goals for yourself is an important component to life. Setting goals is what makes you feel accomplished.
