Summer Days

Just saying or thinking about the word "summer" can put a million emotions in your mind. The scorching heat, the bleached crazy look in your hair, and the golden bronze shine of your skin.  Long afternoons at the pool and lake and amazing late nights with your friends.  Sleeping in all morning just to do it again.  For me, though, there's more to it than just that.  My summer days are also filled with many hours of the game I love.  Usually I wake up a little earlier so I have time to get up and take a few swings, or a lot of swings, before the heat of the day.  At night before and after practice I bat and pitch and throw and catch until it's so dark you can't possibly see.  Out of all of these days, though, my favorite is game day.  Waking up knowing that later that day you'll be on your way to compete is a great feeling.  I always bat a little before leaving for the game just so I can get my head on straight and go out ready to win! :)

It's Different

It's when the cold comes and the days get short when I really miss summertime the most.  I'm busy year-round, so it may be the same, but it's different.  In the winter, I spend countless hours in the gym.  In the summer, those hours not spent in the gym are easily spent on the softball diamond.  The cold now is a bitter cold, not like the cold that comes after a long hot day when the thunderclouds come rolling in and the dirt picks up and blows in your eyes.  It isn't ever the same.  When the weather gets warm again, I know it's that time.  The softball blood comes flowing through my veins and pushes the winter cold out.  There isn't any other time like that time.  Life begins when the season starts. 
-Tori

Sportsmanship - This is Amazing

This is a must-read:  http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24392612/
I found this on The Assosiated Press Website and had to share it. It is truly refreshing to know that there are still respectful opponents and good people in this world, and that even in the heart of competition there is still enough humility to do what is right.  If everyone could be that unselfish, this world would be a completely different, better place. 

Thankful for...

As humans, we tend to take advantage of what we've got, always wanting more.  We rarely stop to think about how much we really do have, and we don't give near enough thanks for it. 

I am thankful that I am able-bodied enough to play softball, or any sport at all. 
I am thankful that women have the opportunities to play sports at all.
I am thankful that I have the love of the game, and the competitive drive to win.
I am thankful that we have plenty of chances to hit the ball, and we are allowed three perfect strikes to swing at.
I am thankful for the umpires, even though I don't always agree with their calls, because without them what a mess it would be. 

I am thankful for the game of softball.



Without it, this whole thing wouldn't exist.  

A Ball Player's Prayer.

By Hal Skinner

God grant me the wisdom,
to tell a strike from a ball,
to know where to throw,
and never to fall.

Keep me always in the base line,
running straight and true,
and I'll look for your sign,
to stretch one into two.

God give me vision,
to see every pitch,
so if a player needs help,
then I will see which.

Let me always hustle,
so I'll be at my best,
and take pride in myself,
in sports and the rest.

God be my strength,
when I throw the ball,
when I'm far from home plate,
or against a wall.

So I never miss a base,
please guide my feet,
bring me home safely,
so my job is complete.

When I help younger players,
let me always give praise,
so they'll see you in me,
in all of my ways.

God please guide our coach,
to be fair and smart,
to teach us to be good,
let it come from his heart.

Let me take a loss,
just as well as a win,
to do any less,
is surely a sin.

As long as I can play,
let me make my parents proud,
as proud as I am,
when they yell my name out loud.

However my games end,
let me always have fun,
and if Heaven has All-Stars,
I want to be one.

When my games here are over,
and my seasons are done,
let me play on your team,
just like your son.

Amen

Hard is Great.

"Of course it's hard.  It's supposed to be hard.  If it were easy, everyone would do it.  The hard is what makes it great."

- A League of Their Own

 

It's hard to play in 110 degree heat and the flaming sun.

It's hard to be under pressure with 2 outs, 7th inning, bases loaded, down by 2, with 2 strikes. 
It's hard to love a game so much, that you have to do everything in your power to win.

But that hard, makes it GREAT. 

Softball Player's Prayer

Lord, give me the strength to hit the ball
And if I do don't let me fall
Help me to pick the pitch that's right
Then let me knock it out of sight,
Then let me run with deer-like grace
Don't let me miss but tag first base
Then on to second, stay with me, Lord,
Cause this one out, we can't afford,
Then let me zoom like a flying bird
Right down the line and on to third
Then let me slide with feet out-thrust
Across home plate in the swishing dust
But first of all, dear Lord, I pray
Just tell the coach to let me play!

Softball Fun Facts!

A softball is actually much harder than a baseball.

 

 A game usually lasts two hours

 

Originated in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day in 1887

 

Became a sanctioned NCAA sport in 1910

 

Every fastpitch game in the 1996 Olympics was a sellout

 

5.9 million girls play softball

Play For Her

Somewhere behind the athlete you've become, and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you, is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back.
Play for her.

Definition of a Softball Player

softball player (noun)
A girl who, once steps onto the field, is transformed from "daddy's-little-girl" into a fierce, unrelenting competitor who will stop at nothing in order to win a game.  Characteristically with dirt  all across her face, ratted sweaty hair, bloody knees, and dirt stained socks and uniform.

all pictures courtesy of Google Images.
 

WANT

If you let yourself,
You can achieve anything.
You must want it,
Really bad.
Bad enough that
You'll get your job done.

Don't mess with the word 'can't'
It's a waste of time.
The one thing is
pretty simple.
If you want it,
You can get it.

WANT to throw that perfect strike.
WANT to crush the ball and make it fly.
WANT to make that catch for a much needed out.
WANT to cheer on your team.
WANT to win.
WANT it enough, and you will get it. 

Be A Champion.

"A champion is someone who gets up, even when he can't."    -Jack Dempsey

Champions are willing to do what they hate in order to get what they love.

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit.  Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."   -Muhammid Ali

                        W
                         O  B  F
                    D  R  E   A M
                    E  K   L   I
                    D       I   T
                     I       E   H
                    C       V I S I O N S
                    A       E
                    T
                    I
                   O
    G R E A T N E S S        
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *CHAMPION

All For the Love of the Game

There is never enough time in the day.  We get up early, and stay up late.  All for the love of the game. Games played at 8 a.m. in a town an hour and a half away, double headers at night that don't get over until amost the next morning.  We endure it, we embrace it.  All for the love of the game.
Putting up with crazy fans, terrible umpires, and rude opponents because those come with the package.  All for the love of the game.  We suffer through long, hot practices when we can see everyone else splashing around at the pool just a short walk away.  All for the love of the game.  We play through the heat, the wind, the rain, and the cold.  All for the love of the game.  We go hard day in and day out.  All for the love of the game.  That burning passion we have for this sport, that is something that no one can ever take away from us - the love of the game.

Our Sport

What people don't understand is that softball isn't just a sport. It's a way of life.  What people don't see is how hard we work at practice to prepare for that big game, just the winning or losing fight under the lights every Thursday night with the smell of hotdogs and fresh chalk in the air.  What people can't see and what they will never in a million years understand is what makes us push on, why we want it so bad, and how the chalk and dirt run through our veins.  We are viewed as little girls just passing the time away, but that isn't true at all.  I bet they think we're all little girls after that game when the visions of our blood, sweat, and tears litter that field with the memory of our fight.  When people don't take our sport seriously, that's one thing.  But when they think we don't take it seriously, that's another - it's one step over that line that that they shouldn't have crossed.

GAME ON.

Girls of Summer (Boys of Fall Parody) written by me!

When I feel that heat, smell that fresh laid chalk
I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and batting gloves.
Standin' in the huddle listenin' to the plan
Fans goin' crazy for the girls of summer.

They didn't let just anybody on that field
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those purple jerseys down the street
The queens of the diamond, man, we're the girls of summer

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want to field.
And it's kickin' and talkin' trash
It's slingin' chalk and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, I got your back
When your back's against the wall
You mess with one girl, you got us all
The girls of summer

In little towns like mine that's all they got
Photographs fill the Facebook walls
The parents will always think they know it all
Young boys will dream about the girls of summer

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want to field
And it's kickin' dirt and talkin' trash
It's slingin' chalk and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, got your back
When your back's against the wall
You mess with one girl, you got us all
The girls of summer

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want to field
And it's kickin' dirt and talkin' trash
It's slingin' chalk and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, got your back
When your back's against the wall
You mess with one girl, you got us all
The girls of summer

We're the girls of summer
We're the girls of summer

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.

My heart breaks when I think about all that this season could have been. One game away from what would have been the biggest moment in my life.  I should have pushed harder, thought smarter, acted quicker.

We battled, and lost. We battled, and won.  The scoreboard didn't show the real status of our results, though. We were champions, warriors, day in and day out.  That season may have ended much too soon, but those memories of those fights and those games will last me forever.

#SouthernPlainsHeat Forever!

Invincible

You step up to the plate once again, and the roar of your team and the crowds' laughter and cheers and chants fades to silence in your head.
All you can do is your best, and that's all that's asked of you.
You were told to battle now, or it's over.
2 strikes, 2 outs. Bottom of the 7th.  Bases loaded. Down by 3. No pressure.
Your heart wants it so bad, but your best is never good enough. Nothing is ever good enough.
Your heart is beating out of your chest, the sound of your heavy breathing is all that is heard.
Take a peek back to the catcher, the umpire.
Turn to face the pitcher, and your fears.
Close your eyes and say a silent prayer at the speed of light.
The wind up is coming.
It's now or never.
The snap of the glove on her hip, and the ball is on its way.
Don't blink.

You feel that glorious connection that you know from your dreams, enough to make Babe Ruth jealous.
Before you even know it, your coach is yelling 'All the way!' You're rounding first, second, third. 
Almost home. Just a little farther. Push it.
Told to get down, so that's what you do. Sliding into home, the umpire is about to call...
'SAFE!'

You feel invincible, like you could take on the world, and tackle any challenge, when in reality, all you did was tackle the catcher. ;)

Not Just Any Sport

It's not just any sport, it's not just throwing a ball, hitting and running. I live with the cheering of my players while I'm up to bat. I live with the red stitches of the softball rubbing against my fingers when I snap my wrist and let it fly. I live with mistakes every day in it, and I live learning them. I live on the pitchers mound where I need complete confidence in myself. I live with snapping my wrist to the catcher and getting the batter out, a perfect strike. I live not only for my teammates, but for my self. I live for fastpitch softball.

--K.M., pitcher

from: http://softball-quotes.com/Site/Softball_Quotes.html 

The History of Softball

The History of Softball

http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-history/