There is no feeling better than stepping on the field, feeling the wind blow through your hair, and playing the game you love with teammates that have ultimately helped shape you into who you are today. So, here's to the sport that made me into the person that I am.
1. Thank you for teaching me that not all things in life are fair
Life isn't fair. It's just a fact, and it's not an easy one to accept. Softball taught me that not everything that happens to you is going to be fair, but you have to keep playing the game. It's also nice when the ball stays fair though.
2. Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work and perseverance
Softball has taught me that good things don't come to those who wait, but instead come to those that work for it. I never would have thought I'd appreciate all that running and extra time in the batting cage, but it taught me some valuable life lessons, and it was nice getting better at hitting the ball too.
3. Thank you for giving me friends that will last a lifetime
Although I love being from a small town, there are some downsides to it. First, there aren't many friends you can make, and second, there aren't always enough girls to make a team. I had to go to other schools to play when I was younger, and those girls that I was so intimidated by when I started playing with them have become friends for life. Not only did I gain a group of great softball players, but also the ability to adapt to new environments, and without softball I would never have acquired that skill.
4. Thank you for giving me mentors that I will never forget
Some of the most important people in my life have been my softball coaches, and without them I never would have stuck with the sport. They taught me some valuable lessons, both on the field and off, and I'm so thankful that softball gave me the opportunity to meet them.
5. Thank you for teaching me how to work with others
I never realized the importance of teamwork when I played softball, and now that I know how important it is to be able to work with others to get a job done I am so thankful for all the times that I got frustrated when someone didn't do their job and worked through it as a team.
6. Thank you for the not so serious times
Softball is a serious sport, but there are some silly times and those are something I am so thankful for. From silly superstitions like not stepping on the line before a game to the random cheers in the dugout, these are memories I will have forever and I wouldn't trade them for the world.
7. Thank you for giving me incentive to keep my grades up
Staying motivated to get good grades is a difficult task, and having the incentive to get good grades to play softball really helped me stay on the ball (see what I did there?). So thank you softball for keeping my GPA at a good level.
8. Thank you for giving me something to play for
When I picked up a ball for the first time, I fell in love and I've never been the same since. I've learned to play not only for myself, but for who I was when I started to play this lovely game and the team that I am playing for.
9. Thank you for getting me through middle/high school
Lets face it: middle and high school are hard. From the classes to the social aspect, it's pretty rough. Softball was personally my escape, and I am so grateful for that.
10. Thank you for being my first love, and making me who I am today
Personally, I'm not sure that there is any better first love to have, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I love who I am, and if it weren't for softball I wouldn't be who I am or where I'm at without it.
