I spent nine years chasing the game I loved. I played every weekend, holiday and summer until I was 18 ...years old. I collected memories and trophies and battle scars. And then, in one of the most difficult decisions Ive ever made, I walked away. I felt sure that it was best for me and most days, I believe I was right. I was watching my dads team play this weekend (he coaches high school softball) and a parent asked me What would tell these girls if you knew theyd listen? And this is what I would say:<\/p>\n
One day you will walk off the field for the last time. One day you will untie your cleats forever. One day you will put your glove in your bag and there it will stay for months at a time. One day your tan lines will fade. Youll forget the feeling of seams beneath your fingers. Youll struggle to remember the way it felt to hit the perfect pitch. Youll see your teammates once or twice a year instead of every single day. You wont slide into second. You wont round first. One day youll be on the other side the fence. <\/p>\n
One day this wont be your life anymore. And when its not, you wont remember the things that youd think. Youll have no idea how many times you struck out. You wont know how many errors you made. You wont be impressed with how many home runs you hit. You wont care about your batting average or ERA. For the most part, you wont remember wins and losses at all. <\/p>\n
After your last inning has come and gone, youre going to remember the times when you wanted to quit but didnt. Youre going to remember the teammates (and families) you loved along the way. Youre going to remember playing in the freezing cold, driving rain, and unbearable heat. Youre going to remember the hotel bonding and the eight hour road trips. Youre going to remember the early practices and late games. Youre going to remember the coaches that never gave up on you. But most of all, youre going to remember the sheer happiness that came only from being between two chalk lines. Youre going to remember the moments you did more than you ever believed you could. Youre going to remember the times you used every bit of talent God gave you. <\/p>\n
One day this wont be your life anymore. So for today, run as fast as your feet will take you. Whether its a pop up to the pitcher or it bounces off the fence in left field. For today, swing as hard as you can. Commit to every pitch and give it everything you have. For today, make every play like its the last chance youll ever get. For today, play because you want to. Play because you need to. Play because the little girl you used to be fell in love with this game all those years ago. <\/p>\n
For today, dont stop until the last pitch is thrown. Play with every piece of your heart and leave it all on the field. One day, this wont be your life anymore. When that day comes, make sure you wouldnt change a thing. <\/p>\n
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