Growing up, my whole life has been centered around softball. It took me a while to understand how much the sport affected me and my life, but now that I have, I realize I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. When you give a girl a softball bat, a few things will happen…

First, she’ll learn sportsmanship.

She’ll understand the love and determination for winning, but she won’t fail to respect every single girl on that field. Softball is a lot of giving credit where credit is due, even if that sick home run just lost you the game. Don’t underestimate the power of sportsmanship. Sportsmanship has a tendency of shaping athletes into the respectful, bright, and caring individuals they are.

Next, she’ll learn power.

She won’t understand until she’s older that “hitting like a girl” is actually not an insult. Softball has a way of strengthening every upper body muscle, and it still confuses me why some people even dare to say “you hit like a girl.” There comes a time in every softball player's life where she feels powerful on the field. This is undoubtedly the best form of self-confidence a girl could have. Stepping onto the field, knowing you could be the game changer, it’s a great feeling.

She’ll learn to be tough.

Softball creates the toughest girls. You just got a line drive hit back at your inner thigh? That’s going to be a cool looking bruise. You slid and cut up your entire leg? Straighten out your sock and stand up. Being tough helps you in all aspects of life. She won’t understand the effect this has on her until she’s older, but trust me she’ll understand one day. When all her friends are crying over getting covered in mud or dirt, or whatever, I guarantee she’ll be laughing.

She’ll learn determination.

One day she’ll understand that softball taught her to never give up, ever. Whether you’re losing a game by 10, or behind in the count, never give up. My favorite part about softball was how anything could change. It is one of the only sports that can change no matter what is happening with the score. Giving up is the cancer of any team. I myself have played in games where we’re down by ten and then end up winning. If you are determined, nothing can stop you and there’s nothing more dangerous than a girl who knows she can do anything.

Lastly, I promise she’ll learn love.

After the helmet is hung up, and the jersey is turned back in, she’ll understand the love she had for a game that taught her so much. She’ll understand the love she had for the team that helped her be her best, and never failed the put a smile on her face; even if she just struck out for the third time in one game. She’ll understand the love she had for the dirt on her socks and the sweat on her forehead. She’ll understand that it is so much more than just a game, and it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever have to lose.

So when you give a girl a softball bat, make sure she knows what she’s in for.