Visualize yourself stepping up to the plate. It's been an amazing game and your whole team has played their hearts out. In an instant you rewind back to the beginning of the game. A couple early home runs put us up by two. Is it possible that we are beating the team that destroyed us in a double header just two days earlier? Of course it is! Why? Because at any time and any place, any one team has the ability to beat another. That is the magic in softball.
A few nicely placed hits puts the other team up. Dang! We were winning, will this be the end? What? Another couple runs from our team. We really do believe! Back to defense and they score again. Now they are up by four and its the bottom of the 7th. Man it hurts to see such a well played game and we lose by four. Wow our team got a double, another good hit and that girl got in! Too bad we weren't just losing by one, we would be tied now. Oh wait! Another girl on base, and another, and another! Now snap back, you're stepping into the batters box. Every girl has played their heart out so far in this game and look where you are. The scoreboard reads 7-6, the bases are loaded, and there are 2 outs. A million things run through your head, "I have to get this hit!," "The whole team is counting on you, don't let them down!," or "Ok! you can do this and be a hero!" Maybe even some negative thoughts, "I haven't been hitting good all season, why couldn't someone else be up to bat?" Four pitches and your at-bat is over. You struck out.
How do you feel? Now make it your senior year and the second to last game of the season. Yes, that's exactly how I felt after losing to Webster 7-6 on Thursday. We took that loss into our next game against Eureka and failed to perform there as well. That took us out of the tournament quick and ended my softball career in a less than ideal way. That memory will be with me for a long time. Friday night we traveled back to the tournament, because six of our girls were being recognized for All-Conference awards. It was awesome that 12 of our 15 team members elected to go and show support for the other girls. Sara Mize - honorable mention, Jamie Hebron - second team, Angie Doherty second team, Brya Irvin - first team, Rachel Brewer - first team (and hitter of the week once), and Lindsey Schuberth - first team (3 pitchers of the week) and pitcher of the year. Also, we found out later that our catcher was named to the all-tournament team for the conference tournament. So, congrats to all of you for your awards.
Monday night was our team's end of the season awards night. It was an awesome night of food, fellowship, and receiving honors for the work we put into the season. I made a 20 minute long movie full of pictures, video clips, and sad Disney music. It was a great feeling hearing the girls "awwww" and laugh at the memories we shared together. Cristi's mom had sent me photos from her playing in high school and earlier, so she was surprised to see those on there. Some were a little embarrassing, but I had a few embarrassing ones myself. In my eyes, the highest honor you can be given at an awards night is the servant leader away. Its the award given to the person who has dedicated themselves to serving the game, the coaches, and the fellow players. It's someone who may come early to practice, stay late, carry equipment, or set up things outside of practice. This year I was honored to get that award. I was given an awesome fleece blanket with my name and number on it as well as a gift card to Olive Garden.
I remember my freshman year when coach explained the award that I was going to work at being that person. Not to get the cool gifts, but because it was such a high honor and that is the type of person I wanted to be for the team. I finished the year so much better than I had envisioned. Second team All-Conference, servant leader of our team, and 14 sisters that I can call on any time, any day.
Now time to finish up school. Only two tests, two papers, and two presentations left until I'm all done! Then I'll have my graduation party, graduation, and off to Guatemala. Wow things are moving too fast. I'm excited that my aunt and little cousin will be home tomorrow. They live in Germany and I only get to see them once or twice a year. I will see them even less this time because I will be leaving to Guatemala so quickly. Well, I appreciate everyone reading these blogs and supporting our team. It's been an unforgettable season and I hope I gave you a little insight into the life of a Division III softball player.
Instead of ending with a quote this week I'm going to count down the top 15 reasons I will miss playing softball:
15) That feeling of the first season's practice when you have the most energy that you'll have all year
14) Tarping sessions
13) Long Spring Break trips
12) Bus rides with sing-alongs
11) That day in practice where everything just clicks for you and you have a great day
10) Awkward award ceremonies (should I walk to the man giving the award? Do I shake his hand for the picture) HAHA!
9) Trying to guess who got what awards before they are announced
8) Doing homework on the bus to games
7) Praying with the team
6) Complaining with the team
5) Fun team games like dead bug and signs
4) Laughing so hard it hurts
3) Pushing cars out of the mud when they get stuck
2) Loud music
1) Friends that you'll never forget
Have a blessed summer and be sure to check back next year for a new blogger.
-J
(about Jamie)
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