What may be the hardest and most heart-wrenching thing you'll have to do throughout your high school career, or even your life, is approaching. It's finally time to unlace your cleats, pack up your bat and glove, and take off your dirt-covered uniform for the last time. You may feel that it is time but you will never truly be ready to let go of the sport you love so much; the sport you have played your entire life.
You've sacrificed countless weekends, you've dished out a ridiculous amount of money on instructors, teams, and equipment, and your body has taken a toll with a laundry list of injuries that you will still be able to feel years later, trust me; but, you wouldn't want it any other way. This sport has taught you the most important lessons, such as discipline and hard work, and has introduced you to some pretty great friends along the way.
After the last inning of your final game, win or lose, you'll choke back tears but you'll keep your composure, as you know you're leaving behind a huge part of your life. Reality gradually sets in that you're not playing in college like the original plan was. You'll shake hands with the other team and return to the dugout to hug your teammates for one last time. You'll thank your coaches for an amazing four years and promise to visit; whether you intend to keep this promise or not is up to you.
You'll then see your parents, who are probably just as teary-eyed as you are. You'll walk over to them as you usually do post-game, but you'll collapse in their arms as you thank them for everything. You'll think about when you were younger and your dad used to take you to the field to work on your swing, or how you would wait for him to come home from work and greet him at the front door with a ball and glove.
You know it's the right decision, but it won't be easy.
And it doesn't get easier. You'll see athletes walking around your college campus, clad head to toe in their team gear (and team backpacks). You'll envy them and the time they still get to spend playing the sport they and you love. Sometimes you'll consider trying out for the club team or joining an intramural team.
But most times you'll just think about what could have been if you had never stopped. What if you did accept that offer? What if you hadn't rushed and instead tried out for the club? Things would be different, but the "what if"'s will always remain unanswered.
You won't remember the strikeouts or the losses or the times you wanted to quit. High school sports weren't just an extra-curricular activity for you. They made you who you are today. The years will pass but you will never stop loving the game.
