To my favorite softball player,

Over the years I've watched you grow, not knowing that you would quickly gain as much love for the game as you have. It's always bittersweet to watch you play. As I watch you run on to the field with the last name Wallace and number seven embroidered across your back, I can't help but get excited. The excitement comes from knowing that I get one more chance to witness you play the sport you love oh so much. Watching you put in extra hard work year round to prepare for each season is outstanding. The way you so effortlessly ground a ball and throw it to first base for an out or swing the bat for a base hit never ceases to amaze me.

Despite the number of times I've complained about freezing to the point of body parts going numb or sweating to the point of my clothes sticking on me, I wouldn't have traded it to be any other place. Knowing that I was able to attend almost every game made it all worth while. There is no better feeling than seeing the expression on your face after a huge win. And even if you had a bad game, you never let it show. If there is anything I've learned from watching you play softball over the years, it's that you most definitely have a passion for the game.

To my favorite softball player that I love oh so dearly, my final words to you in this letter are "never give up."

Often times I regret putting away my glove and cleats my junior year of high school, but to see you on the softball field every season helps me relive those moments. No matter how hard your journey as a softball player gets, never give up. Never give up on the game you love. Every now and then you'll walk off the field with a busted lip or a bruised eye, but never give up. You'll come across coaches that will make you think twice about calling it quits, but never give up. There are times when your team will down 15-0, but just encourage your teammates to do better and never give up. Babe Ruth once stated, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." There will be games where you will go 0-4 at the plate, but never give up. Not every season will be a winning season, but hey, there's always next year, so never give up. You won't always receive the recognition you think you deserve from your coaches and fans, but you can't please everybody. Never give up on trying to better yourself, because 9 times out of 10 there is another softball player working just as hard as you to become better. To my favorite softball player whom I've watched grow into the beautiful, smart, intelligent, and athletic person that you are; when all is said and done, and you've walked off the field and put away your softball equipment for the last time, I hope you'll be able to walk away and say, "I NEVER GAVE UP!"