Coach,

In fourth grade, I wouldn't have believed you if you told me I would be playing softball for Belmont University. I might have thought it was pretty cool, but I definitely didn't picture myself there. Saturday mornings were meant for sleeping in and watching cartoons, not practice. Summers were supposed to be for sleepovers and vacations, not tournaments. If it weren't for your constant persistence, I wouldn't be half the athlete (or person) that I am today.

At the start, you instilled in me a work ethic that would I would apply to everything. From the time I was 9 years old to now, five out of seven evenings throughout the week were spent doing dry pitches and long toss. I would stay out until I perfected what I was working on, even if it was dark.

You made sure that I believed that average would never be good enough. I once heard you say that you would rather me be great and get burnt out than be average and continue playing. There were always signs with a quote that read, "To be good is not enough when you dream of being great." I memorized the quote and told myself that I would never settle for anything less than great.

There were people throughout my career who wanted to see me fail and did not believe in what I could do. They laughed and said that I would never make it. You stood by me and believed in me. You had no doubts that I would achieve everything I set out to do. I remember when I tried out for the middle school team as a sixth grader and made it. You were so proud of me, but you taught me to be humble in all the things I accomplished. I may have made the team, but it was about a lot more than that.

As I reached high school, the dream of becoming a college athlete began to seem a little less far-fetched. I tried out for a travel team that you believed would be the very best in helping me achieve my goal. You sacrificed so much for me to be a part of something that would help me earn a softball scholarship. You worked extra hours, made insane travel plans and began pushing me a lot harder so that I might reach my full potential. In the spring of my sophomore year, I got to the place we were working on for so long– a softball scholarship from Belmont University.

After years and years of hard work, it began to really pay off. The little girl who spent hours in her basement throwing into a makeshift net, practiced in the rain and snow, and missed countless parties and sleepovers finally got what she was working on for so long. You pushed me to my limits growing up and there were times when neither of us could stand the other, but you had me ready to face tough times and tough situations. As prepared as I was physically, you had me more prepared mentally. You had me believing that even if I were to face the best pitcher in the world, I still had a shot if I was ready to go to battle. No one or nothing could stop me as long as I gave it all that I had.

Softball has not only caused us to have a special bond, but it allowed us to created lifelong memories as well. One that I remember better than any other is coming home from a practice and stopping not far from the house so that you could pray with me as I accepted Christ into my heart. Those are memories that I will cherish forever. You are the reason that I love the game as much as I do, and the reason that I will always have a passion for it. I hope that one day we can share our passion for the game coaching together, because that would be the greatest dream I have.

At 18 years old, I still can't believe how far I've come from the little girl at a Saturday morning pitching clinic at Volunteer High School. If you weren't the one coaching me all of these years, I don't believe I would be where I am today. If I face adversity in life, I know that I can overcome it.

I've had a lot of great coaches in the last 10 years, but not a single one could surpass you. Dad, you are the greatest coach I've ever had. Thank you for putting in countless amounts of hours and dedication so that I might be the best that I can be. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be sitting at Belmont University as I type this.

Love always,

Your Little Girl