Tee-Ball, Recreational Ball, High School Ball, Travel Ball - you name the softball league, I've probably played in it.
Softball, just like for a considerable amount of young girls, was a huge part of my life growing up. It was a way to make friends, stay active, and have fun. And, like others, I was given the opportunity to participate at the collegiate level. I chose not to take the offer for many personal reasons, and I don't regret that choice. But, even still, there are some things that I miss about playing softball.
1. I miss the team dynamic.
I was blessed with having (mostly) great teammates on all of my softball teams. Those girls became my closest friends and confidants, cheering me on through the hard times and helping me improve my skills where I was lacking. We had our rough times, but we always got past it.
2. I miss getting dirty.
Honestly, I loved getting dirty. I never had a clean uniform, and my parents cringed at the idea of white pants and uniform tops. Even my catching equipment and glove had clay stains on it, which probably wasn't the best for their long-term use, but I didn't care. I loved the game, I loved getting dirty, and I miss the excuse to roll and dive on dirt fields.
3. I miss the easy physical activity.
No, I don't mean "easy" as in practices and games were a total breeze, because they definitely weren't. Games were long, and practices were longer, and let's not even talk about the conditioning days. What I do mean, though, is that I was having so much fun playing the sport that I loved, that all of the running, working out, moving around, and strength training didn't seem like physical torture, and so I got in a considerable amount of physical activity without even thinking about it.
4. I miss traveling the state (or states) for games.
Ah, the bus rides. Sometimes the baseball team was with us, and sometimes it was just our team, but bus rides were always amazing. That is, when we were winning. Lose a game?--expect the riot act on the way home. Despite this, though, I loved driving all around the state of South Carolina and surrounding states to play other teams and see other things.
5. I miss the game.
Softball is a game that is fast-paced, competitive, exciting, and absolutely requires teamwork in order to be fun. I found a feeling of happiness while playing the game, because I was doing something that I loved. That, perhaps, is the hardest part about not playing anymore.
I had my own reasons for choosing not to play softball in college, and I don't regret that decision. Despite not regretting it, though, I still miss certain parts of it. There are ways to find that enjoyment in other things, though. Community can be found in the people in my dorm, traveling can be found through missions trips and class trips, and "getting dirty"...well, that won't be too hard to do, either.
