Dear softball players coming upon their senior year,
The season will be over before you know it. One short season. That is all you have left of your high school career. It will come and go faster than you could ever imagine. One day this won't be your life. You will no longer have the excuse of "Sorry, I can't hang out after school. I have softball," and you will want it back so badly.
You will miss everything about the sport once it's over. You will miss the feeling and the sound of the crack of the bat as it hits the ball. You will miss the smell of a brand new glove and the noise your cleats make when you walk on concrete. You will miss the bus rides with your teammates where you guys both sang and cried your hearts out. You will miss being provided with a workout every day and not having to remind yourself to do it. You will miss everything about it.
The purpose of this article is not to write to you telling you how horrible it will be once you're done. It is to remind you to enjoy every last bit of it. Take it all in, do not let a second pass you by. As a senior, many lasts will be happening but don't forget to be present in the moment. With that being said, there is a lot to remember.
Remember To Be A Leader
Regardless of whether or not you are a captain, those other girls on your team are looking up to you. Show them what it looks like to be a team player and to put your team before yourself. Help build them up and improve themselves, rather than being someone who tears them down. They are only going to be your teammates for a little bit longer, so make that time count. Give them something positive to remember you by, something that they can strive to live up to.
Remember To Thank Those Who Have Helped You Along The Way
You would not be where you are currently at without the help of those around you. Thank everyone who has helped you along your journey. Thank your parents for the countless hours they spent driving you to and from tournaments when you were younger. Thank your coaches for knowing how to push you in the right direction but also for knowing when enough is enough. Thank your teammates for being excited for you when you do well and for lifting you up when you get down on yourself. Be appreciative of every single person who has helped shape you into the wonderful ball player you are today.
Remember To Stay Positive
Softball can be such a mentally tough sport. Your team relies on you and sometimes you will let them down. In tough moments like these, remember to stay positive. Like I said earlier, many girls are looking up to you. They will see how you react to such situations, and you want to be able to say that you showed them what it is like to bounce back. Maybe you are someone like me who doesn't get much playing time. You often find yourself on the bench, cheering on the younger girl who is playing in your position. Do not complain about that younger girl getting more playing time than you but instead prove yourself. Work your butt off in practice to show coach how badly you want it. If coach still decides to beach you, be the best bench player there is. Cheer your heart out and encourage your teammates. Just always remember to stay positive, even through the rough times.
Remember To Take It All In
I know I said it before but I just cannot stress this enough. Do not let a single practice go by without recognizing how close you are coming to the end. Don't skip a single practice or game for some silly reason, because in the end you will regret not dedicating yourself to those last few moments. Before you know it it will be your senior night. The night is all about you and recognizing what you have done for their program. Your parents are there, cheering you on in what may be the last time they ever see you play the game that your life has revolved around for the past 18 years. Your teammates are cherishing the last home game they will have with you. You go up for what may be your last up to bat. You take the field for the last time. All of the emotions will hit you like a truck, and that is okay. Just take it all in because this is truly the end. You may not even feel like it is the last time you will ever play on that field, but eventually it will hit you.
Once it is gone, you will miss it more than anything. You would give anything to have one more game on that field that you put so much sweat and tears into. To have one more game with the team that you have grown up with. One more bus ride, one more at bat, one more of everything. Senior year is the end to the beginning, and the future holds so much in store for you, but don't forget to enjoy it while it lasts.
