I never imagined a life without softball; the sport that helped make me into the person I am today. As I ventured into my new college lifestyle, I realized that some things were not meant to last forever, and my time as a softball player was one of those. I am grateful for the times I had, the people I met, the games I played and the coaches I had the pleasure to play under. I have learned that all good things come to an end and I have come to be okay with it.
If there is one thing I have learned about growing up and getting older, it is that one day, the game you love will not be your life anymore. One day, the early mornings, the late nights, the grass stains and the empty Gatorade bottles taking up space in your smelly equipment bag are going to become memories you get to look back on.
To those who still get to play the game they love, if I can give you one piece of advice from my experience, it would be to hold on to the game for as long as you can. Cherish the memories you have and continue to make more. Do not complain that you spend every weekend on the field instead of out with your friends.
When you graduate you will have plenty of time to hang with your friends and go to that party you have always wanted to but, you will never be able to put that smelly, clay stained jersey on again. You will never wake up on game day with that awesome feeling in your stomach. You will never get to lace up your cleats and put that big bow in your hair. You will never get to play with the people you learned to love over those four awesome years.
Of course, there is always life after high school ball. There is college level, for those who are lucky and smart enough to have embraced that opportunity, or there is the not so serious club ball that can still bring an awesome experience. Either way, there is still nothing quite like high school ball. It is hard to put into words how awesome the experience is; you just have to see it for yourself.
If you are lucky enough to have more time playing the game you came to love, please do not take advantage of it. Wake up every morning feeling blessed that you can put those annoying uniforms, walk out to that field and still call it home. Make every moment count, work harder than you usually would even stop for a moment to just take it all in. Embrace the game you love and the opportunities you have at hand because one day, it will not be your life anymore.
