Pure Sound

Last night, I watched the movie "Trouble With the Curve".  It's about baseball, and a Braves recruiter and his daughter that know more about the game than any other character.  They went to recruit a big shot player, along with many other MLB teams.  Everyone wanted him, but when it came time for the draft, the Braves' recruiter didn't want him.  He pulled his hands and couldn't hit a curveball.  When his bat met the baseball, it didn't make that pure sound that meant it was a good, solid hit.  There are so many other details about the movie and I could tell the whole story but it wouldn't be the same.  Sports really can teach you lessons, and baseball/softball is/are probably two of the biggest teachers.  It's individual and team all in itself.  The message that this movie put out there was that sometimes the biggest choices come from the tiniest details.  You can't go completely based on what you see.  You have to have heard that pure sound. 

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.