Home Plate is Where the Heart is

At the age of seven I had already become, and was considered by those who knew me, an athlete. I played softball, basketball and volleyball. Other sports were fun and great exercise, but softball was different – it was my way of life. Picking up that fifteen inch bat the first day of t-ball felt beyond comfortable. I hit that tee at least ten times, before actually making contact with that hard, round thing we call “the ball”, but that didn’t matter – I loved it.  It was not long after, I developed a passion for the game that would be evident to friends and family when they came to watch. Softball is a large part of my life, and it has helped shape me into the person that I am. It has given me leadership skills, discipline, and confidence – it has taught me the meaning of dedication.

One does not need the title of captain to be a leader. Leadership plays a huge factor in the game of softball, as well as in life. Softball is a physical sport, and therefore I lead by actions as well as words. When I run out onto that field from the top of the first to the bottom of the seventh, I give one hundred and ten percent: I swing hard, dive for balls, slide, and am constantly encouraging my teammates.  As people get older, they either fall into the category of a leader or a follower, and softball has made me realize how easy it is to lead. I have been able to take these acquired leadership skills from the softball field and into the classroom. This year I joined Link Crew, and am Senior Class President at Fallbrook High. When I go off to play for the University of Hawaii, Hilo next year, I will not be afraid to speak up or be a leader, even though I will be considered an under classmen. Leadership is a characteristic I will use throughout my life; in the classroom, at home, and in the workplace.

Part of being a leader, is having confidence. Confidence comes from the support of others; family, friends, teammates, coaches. This encouragement is what gives me the courage to believe in what I am doing. It’s important to be confident when you’re up at the plate with bases loaded, down by one run, and two outs. Confidence can be contagious, on the softball field and in life. Many people lack the self-confidence needed to live a happy and healthy life. Self-confidence will allow me to believe that I have the ability to do anything I want to in life.

Much of my time is dedicated to softball - between practices and weekend tournaments, there is little time for anything else. I’m okay with that, because without dedication there cannot be greatness. Yes, I fight the early morning Saturday games, or the long weeknight practices, followed by hours of homework, but in the end when my team wins the championship game, or I hit the game winning homerun, I realize it’s all been worth it. Working hard, and putting a lot of time and effort into my sport ultimately leaves me with a sense of accomplishment. Just like in life, I will have to work hard and make sacrifices to reach my goals at home and in the workplace. The feeling of accomplishment when I succeed will be greater because of my hard work and dedication.  As I get older, I have already instilled in myself a goal of being dedicated and always giving my all, no matter how large or small the task may be.

            I will apply the lessons I have learned from this game to the rest of my life, wherever I go. Softball is more than just another sport – it is a way of life, and the softball field has been a classroom of its own kind. It is there that I have learned perseverance, leadership, discipline, and self-confidence. It is there that I have developed the characteristics that have helped shape me into the person that I am, and the person that I will be.