Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Jamie Hebron's Softball Student-Athlete Blog #9

Welcome to another wonderful, fun filled blog about my life. Each week I learn about someone new who has been reading my blog. It's pretty cool to think that people are actually reading this. I almost wish there was some way of showing how many times someone reads it. I'd like to make shout outs to my sister Katelyn, who is a creeper that will definitely read this.

I'm very excited for Thursday. I honestly think that if the games get canceled on Thursday it is a sign from God that Cristi and I should remain seniors for another year. I am excited because my whole family will be there, my dad and grandparents and sisters; it will be a fun game. We did get hit with some pretty upsetting news today. Our number one pitcher, Lindsey, will be out for the rest of the season. It's very disappointing news, especially for her, but I know our two other pitchers will step up and together we will move on.

My week of school work has been pretty mundane. I turned in my 15-page paper on rabies and I have a presentation on Monday, but other than that school is pretty lackadaisical. Tonight I went to my self-defense class and it was a lot of fun. We have started our finals which actually involves fighting. We have 60 seconds of boxing another person in the class and then the professor gets into a big suit and we pound away at him. I didn't get to go this week, because we have an odd number of girls, so I'll be going in a couple of weeks. I'm kind of excited, I've never really been in a fight before, it should be interesting. In high school and even now I have heard rumors of girls being scared of me (I have no idea why) because they think I look like a good fighter, but I've never really tested my abilities. So i guess we will see in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, since I don't have a lot to talk about I would like to take this blog and dedicate it to my teammates. All of the girls hold a special place in my heart and I would like to go through and talk a little bit about each of them and why they are so special to me.

Cristi is a senior from CA and I have known her the longest. She is my right hand girl and I know I could trust her and go to her for anything. I always listen for her in a game and we depend of each other to pick each other up and carry the rest of the team. It's pretty awesome because we can read each others thoughts. One glance at her and I know what she's thinking and vice-verse. It's a pretty cool power. I'm really going to miss her next year.

Erica is a Junior (credit-wise a senior) from Illinois. She has really impressed me this year, she talks up a lot more and her talent is really beginning to show. I think that slapping is probably the most difficult part of playing softball and she has had some very good at-bats. She is also a very smart girl and is going to make a wonderful PT some day. We have also been spring break roommates for two years running.

Lesley is a Junior from Illinois and I believe that she is the first person I would willingly admit works harder than me. She is always pushing to make herself better and it really shows. She is a great outfielder because she hustles like no other. She is also very intelligent and is majoring in Math, which in itself means she is delusional, but I still love her. She is also a beautiful Christian and a great mother figure for this team.

Sara is a Junior from Illinois and is seriously the craziest person I know. I love that she smiles a lot and always says and does the strangest things. She rocks some pretty sweet sun glasses and is NEVER afraid to sacrifice her body to catch a fly ball, even it it means diving head first into a fence. I will never forget the time she got hit in the head with a ball. Coach asked her what day it was (to make sure her brain was ok) and she said Thursday. Coach said ok and went on to hit the next ball. Everyone laughed so hard, because it was Wednesday! She got the nickname "Seems" from this event and I won't ever forget it. I call her niner and she called me elevener, she's an awesome girl!

Rachel is a sophomore from Illinois and this year is really opening up. She's not a very talkative person, but being around a bunch of crazy girls will really open a person up. Rachel is hilarious when she talks. She will say everything so serious, but it will be dripping with sarcasm. She's an amazing player as well. Some of the saves she has at first base are remarkable. One time she did the splits to get a girl out and I was psyched, then she told me that her foot slipped and it wasn't actually supposed to happen. That was funny! I'm definitely going to miss her next year.

Lindsey is a sophomore from Illinois and she has the heart of a lion/angel. She is fierce in everything she does, but she has more compassion and cheer than anyone I know. She can turn any situation from terrible, to good. She is an awesome pitcher and has been named pitcher of the week 3 times this year! She is a beautiful and talented girl and I know she is going to do awesome things! I love that I can come to practice and always see her smiling.

Angela is a sophomore from Illinois and is a lot like a mini-me of Lindsey. I always know I can find her smiling and laughing no matter the situation. I know being a pitcher is hard, but she's taken on the challenge and her will to win shines when she is on the mound. It is difficult to come to the college level and try to pitch, especially when you have had a year off, but she is improving every day. We've had a couple boyfriend heart to hearts and they have been very special to me. She is a very special girl and I'm glad she came to this team.

Brya is a sophomore from Illinois and I always think of her as my side-kick. I feel like she is older than she is, because I can barely remember playing softball without her. We got pretty close when she was a freshman because we were encouragement partners and we are a lot alike. We kind of have the same issues in our lives and we leaned on each other a lot last year to get through them. I know I can tell Brya anything and I can always call her when I need something. Speaking of! One time this year I was stranded in Bloomington (2.5 hrs from Greenville) because of a big snow storm and Brya came all the way there to get me so I could make it to practice. That is true friendship!

Darci is a freshman from Illinois and she has been a great addition to this team. She is a hard worker and is going to be a great catcher next year. It is awesome to watch her play and improve with every game. She has really come through hitting as well. She is fun to be around and it's great to hear stories and her and her boyfriend's geeky ways. She is an awesome girl!

Amanda is a freshman from Illinois and also a roommate from this year's spring break trip. I'm very happy that she was in our room, because I really got to know her a little better. She really reminded me of myself when I was a freshman. Sometimes I was scared to speak up, because I was afraid of rejection from the other players who were all friends already, but once one or two of them let me into their circles I was really fun to be around. Red is the same way, once she started to open up, I really liked her sense of humor and I know she is going to improve every year. I'm really glad she found her way to Greenville.

Ashley is a freshman from Indiana and the strangest girl I know. She is seriously like an 8 year old, only more annoying at times. Sorry Ash, but you know its the truth. She will put at least 10 packets of sugar into a SMALL cup of tea. She probably puts sugar in McDonald's sweet tea. HA! But really she is a fun girl to be around. She can never sit still or be quiet for more than 2 minutes. (Just ask Rachael) It is funny watching the most talkative person on the team and the least talkative person on the team. She is fun to tease and a great player.

Rachel is a freshman from Indiana and can do this really awesome move where she jumps up in front of you and shakes her whole body like a possessed person while in the air. Everyone should ask her to do it for them some time. She has a very crazy sense of humor and it is really funny to watch her tease some of the other girls. Though her mind thinks of things most other people would not, it is great to have her around. She is a good player and watching Coach Rica literally set her down in a puddle of water the other day was HILARIOUS!

Last but certainly not least Erin is a freshman from Illinois and a great girl! She is one of my encouragement partners and my normal throwing partner for practice and game warm ups. I'm so glad she decided to join the team this year, because she really adds a lot to the dynamic and playfulness of the team. She is a hard worker and I believe can pull through any situation. I have seen her when it looks like the whole world is against her and she just keeps on going. I love to make her laugh on the mound and its really fun to watch her throw, because I can tell she is always improving and working hard.

Well, I'm sorry if this is longer than normal, but I wanted to let each of the girls know they will always hold a special place in my heart. You girls have really made my Senior year one of the best years of my life. I have memories that I will never forget and people who I will always hold dear to me. I know it will be tough without me and Cristi next year, but you girls are really going to go far. I hope you guys don't expect to win the alumni game though, because we will dominate. Ok by this time I'm sure my good friend Ang is about to cry because I left her out of the team list, but I did it on purpose to trick her into thinking I forgot about her, but I could never forget about her.

Ang is a freshman from Missouri and one of the most amazing girls I know. I believe that she alone has knit this whole team together to be the tightest group of girls we can be and the best group of players as well. I know she inspires me to be a better player on the field. She has a huge heart and an awesome sense of humor. I look forward to seeing and talking to her every day and texting her random things throughout the day. Sometimes she calls me just to let me know there's a good song on the radio. She has helped me through some stressful times this year and I only wish she could have been here four years ago. I'm going to miss her a whole bunch next year, but I know the girl's are in good hands. (side note) She's an awesome hitter! 10 homeruns, #1 in the nation right now, and she's probably going to kill me for announcing that, but it's worth it.

Alright, I'll end so hopefully I won't take up the whole website page with my one blog. I hope everyone has a blessed week, I encourage you to call up a friend and let them know how much they mean to you, or maybe call a friend from high school or college that you haven't talked to in a while. It's great to hear from people when you don't expect it. Thanks for reading and until next week, "Adios Amigos!"

"Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will never change so much to the point where we're not all still friends."

-J
(about Jamie)

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