Sophia has always wanted to be able to go play college softball, that’s been her dream ever since she was able to play softball. Her mother played at Florida State University as a center fielder and she was the best hitter to ever come through Florida’s softball program. She wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps to make her proud. One sunny day Sophia was hitting at her local batting cages and she was missing also every ball. Sophia was not very good at softball like her mother, next week was her first high school game and she really wanted to impress her mother.
Baseball is considered by many to be America’s favorite pastime. Softball in many aspects is similar to baseball but in reality it is harder to play. This can be shown in all aspects of the game from hitting to pitching to fielding to catching. One major aspect where the difference is obvious is hitting. It has been scientifically proven that a 95 mph fastball generates 2411 lbs of force as it crosses the plate and a softball thrown at 65mph generates even more according to youtube.com.
When I first joined softball I remember it being such a beautiful day it was really fresh out in the softball field, the sky was light blue with birds flying high above, and the softball field’s grass was dark green and looked great for a picnic. I felt all alone in the big diamond field, my head had second thoughts as I seen all those other girls who were also going out for softball talking to their friends as they were waiting for the coaches to get to the softball field. Since I knew no one and was the youngest one out there going out for softball, I said to myself, I should not come back tomorrow, even though deep inside I knew I wanted to join. I had that second thought mostly because I was lonely and I didn't know anyone. I didn’t give up, I went out to tryouts everyday until the teams were made.
Through my 7 years of playing competitive softball, I have gained a greater understanding of myself and the people in my life. The experiences I have endured over time helped me grow not only as an athlete, but as a person. Softball has helped me create some of the most important relationships and memories; the hard work and dedication I have put into this sport has made me the person I am today. It’s crazy to think a sport as simple as softball could have such a major impact on my personal growth.
Being involved in sports teaches vital life lessons that will promote you to overcome challenges you endure in everyday life. The passion and leadership required in the sport of softball reflect the qualities to be successful in my education. My life-long experiences in softball have helped me develop into the person I am today in pursuing my academic career. Through my background of being highly committed to the game, taking on leadership roles and balancing academics with athletics it has prepared me for college. Softball is very meaningful to me and is one of my main commitments.
Softball has been in my life since I was five years old. It always brings me joy and pushes me to be the best I can be. It is a sport where I can push myself but have fun while doing it. It always brings me closer to my teammates and makes me feel like I have a second family. Softball is more than a hobby, it’s a humongous commitment.
Softball is a sport of mental confidence and agility. This sport has become a huge part of my life, I fell in love with the game back when I first started playing fastpitch at the age of ten. Now the role of softball in my life has become even bigger. This summer will be the third season of m splaying year round. Playing year round gives me more opportunities to further my softball career to the collegiate level.
Diveli Cherry Madanu English 4 11 April 2023 With the score 2-3, down by one with two outs, and up to bat in the championship game. Sweat dripped down my face from the 104-degree weather with college scouts watching anxiously. Examining how the pitcher felt confident as she threw the first pitch for a strike. The next pitch, I swung and hit a fly ball, praying the right fielder wouldn't catch the ball. As I rounded second, I saw all my teammates run out the dugout shouting from the top of their lungs after seeing my hit soar over the fence.
I am a creature of habit; big changes scare me. This is something that has really dominated my personality for the past couple of years. When I was going into the eighth grade, I moved from Richmond, Virginia to Phoenix, Arizona, a place where no one knew who I was and very few were willing to try and figure me out. I had lived my entire life in Richmond and was very unwilling to move. I think this is where my personality really began to evolve.
I play softball because of the love I have for the game, and because of the feeling that takes my breath away every time I step onto the field. The softball field at Glendale Community College is now my new home for the next two years. Hearing your name being called and lining up alongside the first base line with your teammates before the game makes you feel worthy and excited to play such an amazing sport. As we gather in a tight circle just before we rush to our positions,
I’ve been anticipating the season to start for about the last 5+ months. These past couple of months have been so boring cause I have been doing nothing but going to school. No sports for that long is awful so every time baseball comes around I 'm so ecstatic. So you know I have been counting down the days until the season. This year I was drafted to the diamondbacks, every year this league
As soon as I step on that red dirt all my worries, problems, and thoughts leave for the 2 hours that I am on the field. Softball has meant so much to me because I struggle with school, I’m not artistic, and I can’t really play any instruments, so without softball I wouldn’t have anything. Softball is the one thing I’m good at and I love playing it. When I step on the red dirt with the other eight girls we work together and we put aside our differences for 2 hours. Those two hours with the other girls make softball so much more enjoyable because they love the game as much as I do and it is truly amazing how sports brings people together.
Then I ran out to the field and began pitching. It was the change of an inning. I went into the dugout, got my drink of my water and rested my arm for the next inning of pitching. First batter was up for our team, he got a hit. The second batter, strikes out.
I thought it was going to be a normal day, play softball, hang and go out to eat with my closest friends. This would have been easier if I wasn’t grounded from my phone for doing something dumb I did weeks before. Luckily my mom still let me go out to eat with them and I figured she would give me my phone back, but she did not do that. But I was still happy that she let me go with them.
I had just knocked in two RBI (run batted in). From the chalked-up dirt to the fresh cut grass, a softball field is always a place I love to be. No matter where I am in life I can always rely on softball to make me feel better. I started this physical activity in 5th grade. I found out that I love the sport and was exceptional at it.
