Good For The Sport-Amanda Freed
On any given day, you never know who might be watching you, or our sport for the first time. What kind of impression do you want to leave on them? Every time you step on the field you have an opportunity to represent the game with integrity and class and it starts by holding a high personal standard.
Believe it or not there is going to come a time when you begin to toy with the idea of hanging up the spikes. I’ve told you before, I’ve thought a lot about it but why is it so hard to walk away? Even after two decades of playing, many off-field conversations with teammates turn to softball, but the focus of the conversations are no longer about the fundamentals of the game, it’s turned to the ways in which we can leave a positive, lasting impression on the sport that has given us so many opportunities throughout our lives. It may sound like a corny explanation but it’s true. Like many of my teammates, I feel like I have a responsibility to make sure that I leave the sport better than I found it.
In light of the Olympic Games it is a good time to reflect on what we can do to make our sport better. Yes, we’re growing and gaining more exposure through television coverage and player marketing, but what can you, as an individual, do to make sure you are doing your part? We don’t exactly know the future of our sport in the Olympics but we do know that other opportunities will continue to come as long as we are aware that it is us, the players, that control the fate of softball. On that note, is the way you present yourself day in and day out good for our sport?
If someone were to watch you or your team for the first time, will you have left them wanting to come back for more? The intriguing part about softball has a lot to do with talent and skill of course, but it also has a lot to do with your excitement for what you do and your discipline on the field. Are you a good teammate? Are you a good student of the game? Do you give 100% on every play of every inning?
You know what one of my favorite things to watch is? When a batter hits a fly ball in the infield or shallow outfield, it’ll be caught 98% of the time, but she is busting it to get as far around the bases as possible before it is caught. How many times do you think you’ll sprint all the way to second base for no reason? On the other hand, do you want to be the one standing two feet outside the batter’s box when that 2% error happens? What if it’s a crucial situation for your team with a runner in scoring position and it could be the difference in winning or losing the ballgame? This type of unselfish hustle is good for the sport.
Now, on the other side of the spectrum, softball is so hard! Sometimes I get so frustrated after an at bat that I just want to come in, throw my helmet against the wall, and hit something! And I’m a very laid back, calm person ☺ It sounds like a good idea at the time, it might make me feel better for a second, but ultimately it solves nothing and it’s bad for the sport. Softball is supposed to be hard! If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it. I have found that when I am able to let things go, whether it’s an error, bad at bat, or missed call, I feel better and in turn, I perform better. More importantly, it’s a better reflection on the sport.
We could make an entire list of things that are “good for the sport” and “bad for the sport” but ultimately it’s up to you to make that call. Good rule of thumb: if you have to ask yourself, “is this good?” chances are you’re walking a fine line so be aware. I hope you all realize how lucky we are. Everyday we have an opportunity to do what we love so treat it as it is, a privilege and a gift. Make sure that everyday you are representing yourself and the sport with the utmost respect because you never know who is watching.
