During my senior year of high school, I had the intentions of playing softball at a small private college in Greensboro, North Carolina. I had been through the recruitment process and had already committed to a school that I liked but I was not in love with. I met the coaches and spent time with my new teammates, but something told me it wasn't the right fit.

I soon found myself calling the head coach and withdrawing my commitment to be a part of his team, so I could become an East Carolina University Pirate.

Facing my freshman year at a huge university that I never even toured was hard. Two weeks into school I found myself attempting to walk on to the varsity softball team, which was relatively unheard of because I just wasn't ready to give up the sport I loved so much. After blood tests, an extensive tryout, and agility testing I received an email asking me to come back for yet another tryout.

At this point, my excitement was through the roof and I couldn't believe I may have the opportunity to be a part of a division one softball team. I returned for my second tryout and realized that I was the only one there. After fielding and taking some batting practice the coach asked me to sit and chat for a moment. Eventually, she told me that she had a full roster and was not prepared to take on another athlete which absolutely devastated me.

I still wasn't ready to give up on the sport I loved and the next week I had a tryout for the ECU Club Softball team. I was extremely intimidated because I could tell this group of girls was very tight-knit and on the second day of tryouts, the president of the club looked at me and said, "I'm our first baseman and we really don't need another one but thanks for trying out".

Ouch.

I definitely wasn't expecting to hear this considering I had secured a spot to play at another college and nearly walked onto the varsity team but there was nothing I could do at this point because ultimately, it was her decision.

Fast forward a year and I tried out for the club team again and I made it.

I quickly realized that this team was not the clicky group of girls I thought, and I quickly fit right in. In this group of girls, I not only found a team, but I found a group of best friends that I could call any time of the day whether it was to grab dinner, head to a club, or if I just needed someone to talk to.

This team suddenly became my safe haven and my home away from home. I looked forward to practices every week and couldn't wait to take the field with these girls on the weekends. I realized that every one of these girls was like me in that they played simply because they loved the sport. There was no scholarship money, no coaches watching, and nothing making them play. They simply played because there was no place they would rather be.

As I find myself in my sixth and final season with this team, I still look forward to every weekend I get to spend on the field with them. I dread my final season with these amazing girls simply because it means I will have to say goodbye.

Although I know leaving them will be a difficult transition, I'm asking that this not be a goodbye, but simply an 'until next time'. There are so many things I could say to you all but I would like to start by saying "thank you". Thank you for accepting me, loving me, and most importantly helping me grow on and off the field.

I love you all and… until next time.