Softball is an extremely difficult sport both mentally and physically. It takes a resilient athlete to play a game where even the best of the best fail six or seven times out of ten at the plate. From the outside, it seems crazy for someone to want to spend hours in the grueling heat chasing balls and playing in the dirt. But every softball players knows the moments that make the hours of blood, sweat, and tears worth it. Here I have a list of some of those moments:
1. Battling back from an 0-2 count to get a hit.
Considering the batter was already facing rough odds to begin with, it takes insane patience and serious mental stability to be able to battle back from an 0-2 count. This is especially difficult when inconsistent umpires are thrown into the mix who make you question your perception of the strike zone. All things considered, for a batter to be able to fight back against such odds is nothing short of incredible.
2. Making a diving catch.
Okay, so maybe you just kind of just threw yourself at the ball and prayed, no one has to know! Nothing gets your team fired up like a play that might have just saved the game.
3. When your pitcher battles back from bases loaded and no outs.
Considering a simple fly ball to the outfield or a grounder to the right side scores a run, a pitcher with bases loaded and no outs does not have many options. To get out of a situation like that unscathed is pretty miraculous.
4. Turning a double play.
Unlike in baseball, turning a double play in softball is an extremely rare occurrence, as the smaller infield means you have less time to make the play. So when it does happen, it's incredibly exciting.
5. Throwing someone out at home from the outfield.
It's the type of play that can make or break a game. And depending on the speed of the runner on third and where the ball is caught, it can often take a perfect throw to get the out.
6. Running out a sacrifice bunt.
When you've already accepted you're out, being safe on a sac bunt is an added bonus.
7. When someone hits a home run and your whole team storms home plate.
Of all the great moments in softball, this may be my favorite. Everyone drops whatever they are doing and basically creates a mosh pit at home plate.
8. Two out rallies.
You know it's a two out rally when everyone in the dugout has their helmets on backwards and the other team's pitcher is super angry.
9. Winning on a walk-off.
Bottom of the seventh. Three outs to get it done. Overcoming the pressure to win the game is the best!
10. Picking off that super-annoying base runner.
Catchers especially understand this one. There's nothing more annoying than a cocky base runner, which makes it even sweeter when you finally catch her slacking and nail her.
11. The bus rides home after a big win.
Not all the best moments are on the field. The best team bonding occurs on the bus, especially after a big win when your team turns the school bus into a party bus.
