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.