It is common in sports to hear the term "if you're not first, you're last." But, does this phrase really ring true? High school and collegiate athletes across the nation spend hours of their day preparing to be the best of the best in competitions where only one winner will come out above them all. This can be some of the greatest pressure on an athlete, especially when in the back of their minds they think that if they do not win then all their hard work was for nothing, and that is definitely not the case.

Being on a team teaches you how to be humble and interact with various personalities in pursuit of one goal: to win. For softball, there are only nine positions, and only the best-of-the-best will play those positions in order to help the team win as a whole. Sometimes you are not one of those nine, which can be absolutely frustrating, but that is just how the game goes. I am a pitcher and an outfielder. I made the choice when I was younger to pursue both positions because I knew that I would not be the starting pitcher on every team I played on, and I was okay with that. I fell in love with the outfield, so when I wasn't pitching I could take refuge in the green grass of left field. I was content with decision and I still am today, as when I do not pitch on my college team I am lucky enough to be able to play outfield.

With that being said I am not our team's No. 1 pitcher, and I am okay with that. Our star pitcher right now has been throwing lights out against the best of our conference, and I can't be mad about that. She has been keeping us in every game, something that I haven't been able to. Right now she is what the team needs and that is what is so amazing about this sport; it teaches you that sometimes you are not needed and that's okay. It teaches you that just because you are No. 2 doesn't make you less important, but other players are doing better than you are at the moment and they need to be focused on. Sports are roller coaster rides, with unexpected twists and turns and we as athletes need to sit down and enjoy the crazy ride. Being No. 2 means that there is still room for improvement, and that you have the potential to be the best-of-the-best in due time. Being No. 2 also means that you are the one to push the No. 1 player in your position to do better than you so that he or she can keep maintain his or her role. The players under you are your competitors and, in the end, everyone pushes each other to be better, all benefiting the team as a whole!

So don't hang your head when you get pulled, or feel defeated when you are not called in the starting lineup because you are more important than you ever realize, You are the one to push everyone while making the team stronger overall. You are the one that will have their shining moment, God is just waiting for the right time for you to step up and claim your prize. Continue to do the extra workouts, diet, and training. Continue to push yourself and the others around you to be the best. Continue to set the bar higher and higher until you reach the stars because, honey, you will be there before you know it.