Learning To Lead
Start writing a post
Sports

Learning To Lead

A piece written by one of my very dearest friends!

22
Learning To Lead
Today I Found Out

Disclaimer: This is a piece written by one of my very dearest friends! I am so proud of who she is not only as a student-athlete but also as genuine and kind hearted person. After a little convincing I talked her into sharing this piece because it was so relatable not only to me but I am sure to many other athletes in her same position.


By: Ashley Albright

Adrenaline - The body’s most potent and useful hormone is used in times of fear, excitement, and pain.

Most athletes and daredevils live to feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through their veins.
For me, this feeling is one of the reasons that I love playing softball.
Countless times I have been late in a game with my team behind as time for an amazing comeback dwindling.

This is when your veins fill with adrenaline, excitement, and even doubt.

Throughout my 14 years of playing softball, I have learned not only how to be a leader but also how to truly understand and value teamwork especially during experiences when my adrenaline is pumping.

As a catcher, I see the field from a much different perspective than any of my other teammates. I’m always in the spotlight and all eyes are on me and my pitcher. My job is not only to direct the team in what plays need to be run, but also to keep my pitcher levelheaded during one of the most intense and exciting parts of the game.

I have had to learn that because of my position a lot of the blame gets put on me for things that happen on that field, and I have to be able to take it.

My teammates look to me for direction and guidance because I’m supposed to be the one that knows what’s going on, and what needs to happen next.

Everyone says that catchers are supposed to be captains on the field and that's accurate.

We are supposed to be leaders and be able to tell everyone what they need to be doing at every given moment, but sometimes we fail.

Looking around at loaded bases knowing that your team is behind with very little time left in the game, and knowing that your pitcher is struggling not only physically, but mentally is something that a catcher must be able to deal with.

Despite all the times that I’ve been in this situation, the adrenaline still courses through my veins like an icy rush to the point where it’s almost like the high that you just want to live from forever.

The feeling of knowing that I’m in charge during one of the most important moments of the game is a rush.

The only way that I’ve learned how to become a leader is by having lived through this and learning from the mistakes I’ve made.

One bad play...
One wrong action...
One negative thought...
One wrong decision could lead to my team losing.

BUT if I make the right decision and my team ends up with the win, I still might not get the credit. Only the people who truly understand the sport will know that I am one of the reasons we won the game.

More importantly, just because I may be "the leader" on the field doesn’t mean that I don’t need eight other people working with me in order to make this game end in the way that we want it to.

Softball is without a doubt a team sport and if you take away the other people around me,
I’m just a single person.

We have all heard the saying “There’s no I in team."

When the entire team is behind me in all the choices that I’ve made in the game, that’s when I fully realize how important it teamwork is.
The people around me are there whenever I fall and need someone to help me back up,
they are there whenever I’ve had a bad at bat or an off game.
Most importantly they are there when they’re needed the most.

One single person cannot win a game no matter how many home runs they hit, or how many outs they make singlehandedly. It requires a whole team to persevere to get the win.

As a catcher, I rely so much on my teammates because without them I would have nobody in the field, nobody pitching to me, and I would just be a single person sitting on the field alone.

Throwing and catching has to have more than one person, and having teammates there is another one of the reasons that softball is absolutely one my favorite things. No matter where I am I’ve got built-in friends who are going understand me, and relate to things so much easier because they understand what I’m going through, what I’m talking about, and what it feels like.

Teamwork on a softball field translates into everyday life when you have coworkers who you don’t want to be around but get put on a project together, or when you have to work with others to accomplish a goal that you alone will not be able to achieve.

The things that softball has taught me is beneficial to how I will be able to function in my life after graduating college, as well as after I get a job.

Leadership and teamwork are tools that I can use in everyday aspects of my life.

Because of what softball has taught me over the past 14 years I will be able to be a better person in my everyday life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71464
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133485
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments