Dear Senior Softball Players,

This is it.

This is your last season to soak up all the ups and downs of your high school team. Enjoy it. Whether you win more or you lose more, it won't matter when it's all over. The only things that will matter are the memories and the fun you had. You only have a limited amount of time to play the game, so enjoy it before it's over.

This is it.

Your cleats will only hit the field a little longer. You will only get a few more chances to crush the ball and make your parents jump out of their seats screaming "GO GO GO!" Just a few more chances to make that game winning play or get those nasty uniform tan lines. You only get so many more games to bond with some of the best people you will ever meet. Only a few more chances to make your parents proud of you for playing your heart out...

This is it.

Remember all those memories of t-ball and little league? All those years where you looked up to that certain high school varsity player? Now it's you. It's your last season, you need to step it up. Push harder, train more, and be the role model you always looked up to. Go to a junior varsity game and cheer them on, give someone younger than you tips to hit the ball better or make that play, now you are the person someone looks up to.

This is it.

You'll catch yourself a lot your senior year thinking where you would be without the coaches you've had throughout the years. Even on days where you're frustrated with them, you'll know they made you the player you are. They've given up their time to train you, sometimes staying after practice to help you work on things, be your personal therapists some days, and you'll appreciate them loving you like a daughter. They've helped you whether you see it or not, do not take that for granted. They wanted you to succeed not only for the team but for yourself.

This is it.

Thank everyone who has supported you and pushed you along. Your parents, your family, peers, past and present coaches, everyone. Even if someone had the smallest impact on your softball career, thank them. They helped you become the player you are today. You've probably met some of the best friends you will ever make in life through softball and it's really hard to part ways. Stay in contact, hug hard, and cheer harder while it lasts.

This is it.

Don't miss a practice or game unless you are almost dying, trust me. Missing a game is devastating, and you will feel guilty even if your reason is good. You'll think about that one game or one practice you missed and think, "why in the hell didn't I just suck it up and go" because, at the end of the season, you'll be scrambling for just one more game, one more at-bat, one more throw.

This is it.

You're in the last inning of what is your final game of high school ball. Whether you're winning or losing, you'll feel the emotions slowly rolling in. It comes to your last at-bat, and you're just hoping you can kill the ball for a last hoorah. Then it comes to your last throw or catch and you're just wishing you could do it one more time. It's okay to cry, trust me, this is gonna be hard. Realizing the game that has given you so many blessings and memories in life is over, it's tough. Hug your teammates, hug your parents, your family, and especially your coaches. This is it, the game is over.