Everyone looks forward to watching the College Softball World Series; young girls, other college softball players, softball fans (dads), and even people who don't tend to watch softball normally. Disclaimer: it's much more interesting to watch than baseball. The games are fast, the bows are big, and the bodies are flying. You can count on waking up almost every morning from the Super Regionals all the way to the finals to a highlight clip of a player making an insane diving catch that you didn't even know actually happened. The World Series is one of the most watched sporting events, sorry boys we beat some of you out.
Why do so many people watch the World Series? Don't get me wrong, I don't miss a game of it but I've also been addicted to softball since I first picked up a bat in T-Ball. I talk to so many people about it and the usual response is "I don't usually watch softball but man that's fun to watch."
The World Series shows how much teamwork is truly important. You see girls in their rally caps practically jumping over the dugout fence pitch after pitch even if they never see the dirt. You see a girl go in and pinch run with an ear to ear smile even if it's her 3rd appearance all season. You see the entire team crowded around home plate after their teammate hits a homer waiting to slap their helmet in celebration. You see girls getting railed by a 75 mile an hour screwball and sprint their way to first because they just want to get on base, anyway they can.
The World Series shows how dreams come true if you work for them. You hear back stories about how the best of the best got to the big stage. You hear their motivation to young players about how you can be there one day, too. You hear that you don't have to be "naturally gifted" you just have to want it and don't ever stop working for it.
People watch the World Series because game after game those girls prove that this is more than just a softball game. Every year, you see Florida Softballs yellow sunflowers which represent so much more than their home state. This game is a reflection of life. You fail time after time, seriously. Amazing players who bat over .400 still fail over half the time. But from those failures, you learn that they aren't permanent and they will help you to be successful the next time.
The World Series is almost over (*insert crying emoji*), but every year it reminds me to never give up, keep grinding, and never forget your bow.
