Personal Narrative: The Softball Career

Softball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a little kid my dad would teach me how to hit in the backyard with a Wiffleball bat that was taller than me. As the years passed, I started to fall in love with the sport more than I imagined possible. From little league to travel ball and all the way through varsity high school ball, it has always been a huge part of my life. Most people don’t understand the sport or how someone can be so engulfed in every aspect of it. However, they don’t get to experience the life lessons that this sport of extreme highs and lows teaches the player. It teaches you patience. It teaches you that imperfection is normal. It teaches you that things can turn around in the blink of an eye and most importantly, it teaches you that all good things must come to an end.

Blood, sweat and tears. All for one sport you love. Going to the fields, putting my cleats on and batting.(Cumulative) From the time I stepped on the diamond, I knew softball was going to be something I was good at. Usually most people start off playing t-ball and work their way up to the big leagues. Not me. I started my third grade year. Of course I was hesitant (nervous), but I got over that fast enough. I played every position possible. I was a strong hitter (usually making it on base every time). But that’s 10 u. Over the years, I became exceptionally good at softball. I had many compliments on how good I was. Parents were telling my parents how good I was. But that was only the beginning.

I enjoy helping others pursue their passions and achieve their goals. Softball is a sport that has taught me many important life lessons including teamwork, leadership, and dedication. As softball is a sport that has taught me so much, I spent several weeks of my high school summers volunteering at softball camps. It was always rewarding to see the young girls discover their passion for the game just as I did when I was their age.

Each of my years playing softball has been a momemtous experience for me. Indeed, I have learned valuable lessons about life. I have not only gained experience on how to approach different life situations, but the game has also provided an insight of me. In other words, softball has impacted my life and will also shape my future. Therfore, this will seek to discuss some of these impacts contributions to my life.

One of the most well know players of all time is Jennie Finch. Finch, like many great players, started playing the game very early on in her life at the age of five. Just a mere three years later she pitched her first ball. During Finch's high school career she was known for being an athletic girl. Her senior year she was Captain of her volleyball team, basketball team, and softball team. Finch lettered in softball in all of her high school years and most recently in 2016 Finch’s high school, La Mirada, retired her jersey number, the first time for a softball player.

“When [Perez] pitches well, the rest of the team feeds off it,” third baseman Michelle Silva, ‘18, said. “We want to play just as strong as she is.”

She also said, “I always wanna be supporting my teammates in everything that I do. If its cheering while on the sideline or in the game when I make a big shot.”

Mattie is on the 9th grade softball team. She plays very well as an out-fielder and a sub for any position, but pitcher and catcher of course. Mattie knows all the positions and how they work, so that’s why she has the skills to play all of the positions. She kindly volunteers to pinch run for the catcher and pitchers quite often. Mattie runs as fast as she possibly can for the pitcher and catcher, because she knows how hard they’ve worked the entire game

“You have got give a lot of credit to the girls who are hitting in front of her. I don’t think she feels the pressure. She’s had a lot of clutch RBI chances and comes through a lot of times.”

From the young age of five, through the eleven years full of learning curves and numerous injuries, I was shaped by my self motivation and peers. Softball was a profound component in my daily life. When I was younger I would have never thought softball would have such an incredible impact on my character. Today, my past experiences shape me into an individual who can be seen as not only a leader, but as someone who can work as a team to achieve goals and standards. I remember learning to pitch for the first time.

“She looks comfortable out there, she doesn't look like a freshman. She compliments us well, and gives us a few minutes here and there, which makes us a deeper and better team.” Varsity coach Hannah Alexander said. “She kind of a little spark for the team. She just goes out there and hustles. And she’s just very coachable, she fixes things that we need her to fix.”

“Not everyone is going to see or accept you for who you are, and you have to accept that.” I was told this quote everyday by my mother. Today was no different, walking up to the raked field, quote on my mind , eyes on the fresh red clay, and the sound of my metal cleats against the concrete. I was ready for this day. After months of hard work from November to February , the tryouts for Central softball team were over. Over the span of four months, I pushed myself harder than I ever thought I could, but what I did never seemed to be enough for the team.

I started playing travel softball when I was twelve years old when a man I had known for several years named Byron asked me to play on his team. Travel ball requires you to have much more knowledge about the game in order to be successful. At this level, we had to begin to use signs while batting and other terminology while playing defense. Byron had been around the game of softball for years and had tons of knowledge to share with his players. For example, when we were working on defense at practice, Coach Byron would hold up a sign that would say something like “6-4-3.” All of the defenders on the field would have to know what that meant so they could execute the play. In this case, it meant we were supposed to turn a double play. It occurred

While standing on deck, waiting anxiously to get up to bat, my team-mates and I cheered loud hoping that we would win. As I walked up to the plate my coach, Jacob Kidd, looked at me and said, “Get the job done.” That was not supposed to make me nervous or anything was it? I knew that I had to get a base hit, so I just got up there and done my best. After I hit, Danielle, Lauren, and Jolie was next; and I knew that they would do what needed to be done. Jolie hit a long fly ball to the right center field fence; however, she did not get on base because they sprinted to catch it. Before we knew it, three outs had already passed; we hustled towards the dugouts to grab our gloves and go back out on defense. I talked to Katie Grace Payne, our pitcher;

The other Ladies softball senior and only four-year player is Lizzie Moran. A .283 lifetime hitter with 62 hits, she batted .308 last season and led the team in sacrifice bunts. She has 47 runs, 21 RBI’s, and 29 stolen bases for her career. In 2015, batting .302 with 13 hits, 14 runs, and 8 RBI’s, was named All-Conference honorable mention.