To the sport that quickly became my life. Little did I know my life was just starting the day my mom dressed me for my t-ball game. Little did I know the first time I picked up a bat I wouldn't want to put it down and the first time I learned to throw was just the start.
From all the city rec leagues I went through the love for the game only grew stronger. I remember sitting in school counting down the hours and minutes to go home to play catch in the yard with my dad. I never really stopped to look at it then, but now I all I want to say is thank you.
Thank you for the quality time spent with my dad and the life lessons learned all from the sport I love. But wait it doesn't just end there. Many of my life long best friends came from the sport I love. Through little league where everything was fun no matter what it was. To high school ball where we bonded over complaining about all the running or burpies we were having to do. All the way to travel ball, which was all year long, where we bonded over hour long rides to tournaments and food. Because let's be honest who doesn't love food? From all the tournaments we played starting at 7 a.m. and ending after midnight, you learn to get along with everyone (if not you're in for a long day).
As we grew older we bonded with teammates mainly over complaining about losing, getting yelled at, striking out, or the bad throw we made two games ago. Thank you for bringing all my bestfriends in life. Thank you for all the new people I met and the many memories made. I will always carry the memories I made with the people I love while playing the game I love, even after it's time to hang up the cleats... which leads me to my next point.
If you are anything like me you dread the day you have to hang up the cleats and finally retire that old worn out glove. Every little softball girl's dream is to play in college. For me it was to be on TV. But now its because I love the game and dread they day I have to quit. From freshman year all the way to senior year I was nervous and anxious about being able to make the decision to keep playing and where to go.
Senior year came and left. Just like that, it was senior night on our home field. As I got ready for my final high school game on my school's home field I tried to fight back the tears. Tears of leaving the girls, their parents (that became second families), and the coaches I've been with for years. But also tears that my dreams I had came true. Yes, I was leaving the place where it all started. A place where I had spent endless amounts of hours. They paid off; I was going to play in college!
Softball has brought me endless amounts of opportunities. I have never paused and reflected on it long enough to say thank you. Now that I'm here playing college ball all this is the same. I still get to spend quality time with my dad, pitching in the yard and even hitting in the cages. I have had endless amounts of great coaches that inspire me daily and help keep my love for the game so strong. I have made numerous new friends through my teammates. Softball continuously brings new opportunities to the table. So to the sport I fell in love with and never looked back: thank you for becoming my life.
