There comes a point in time where you may have to give up something you’ve known your whole life. That something for me was softball. I have played the game since I was eight years old. I grew up in a uniform. I grew up at the softball complex. I grew up not being afraid of getting dirty or scrapping my knees. I grew up with my dad saying “rub some dirt on it,” and priding myself for not crying when I did get hurt. Softball was my first true love and I played whenever I could. However some people may say too much of a good thing can go bad. For as long as I have had a ball in my hand playing collegiate softball was my number one long term goal. Two shoulder surgeries later, I fulfilled my dream goal of playing collegiate softball and after my first season, I decided it was time to hang up the jersey and say goodbye to my first true love.
I didn’t think I was going to need my softball pants, my 30 pairs of softball socks I had accumulated over the last 12 years or my old beat up cleats anymore until one of my old coaches texted me asking if I was available to play in a tournament. They were seeking a catcher for the weekend and since I played with them in the past I couldn’t say no. Even though I was hesitant at first, I accepted the offer.
Counting down the days until I got to put on the Indiana Waverunners uniform one more time, I became increasingly nervous. I didn’t think I could do it because I hadn’t touched a ball in almost three months. It was like riding a bike, I was confident in my abilities, it was like I never stopped playing—it was empowering. I played for the little girl that had fallen in love with the game some many years ago. I played for the grown-up girl who’s given her heart and soul to this game for 12 years. However, all good things come to an end and too early Sunday morning my softball weekend had come to an end.
It never crossed my mind that after my second surgery, I was only going to play two more seasons of the game I loved. Those two seasons though turned out to be two of the best seasons of my life. Not because I played my best games, but because I had so many great players surrounding me. I quickly learned while recovering from my second surgery, never take something you love for granted, and I am sure I didn’t.
Softball taught me so much about myself. Softball taught me to persevere through hard times, I mean I did come back from two surgeries. Believe me, it was hard seeing my friends throwing the ball around while I was sitting on the sidelines. Softball blessed me with some great friendships, I know I can always count on them having my back. We're a family where no one gets left behind. Being with the same group of girls for eight hours in a school day and three hours on the field and many more hours of travel brought us closer. Softball taught me hard work pays off. I played four seasons getting better with every throw and every at bat before I had my second surgery. Even then I came back strong and willing to work for my starting spot again.
However, there comes a day where decisions have to be made and even though it may not feel like the right decision, it probably is. I made my decision to stop playing softball because my body told me I needed to stop. It may be time to lay my true love to rest but in doing so I know a new little girl will find the true love for the game like I did.
