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Article - How to Have No Softball Regrets

As I enter the 4th decade of my life, I can honestly say that I have very few regrets in my life. In fact there is only one thing in my life that, if I could go back, I would do a little differently. Even then, it’s not a matter of doing something I didn’t or not doing something I did. It’s just a timing issue. There’s one thing in my life I wish I had done sooner than I did. That’s about it. When it comes to softball, though, I have no regrets. Why? Because as a player I loved going all out. I loved throwing myself into the game 100% and giving whatever I had, leaving it all out on the field. When you think about it, you owe yourself that much.

Each time you’re out on the field, you’re making a sacrifice. You’re giving up something else you could be doing. For those hours that you’re at the field, you could be hanging out with friends, earning money, sleeping, cruising on MySpace, or a number of other fun things you enjoy. But instead, you’re out there on the field. Make it worth your time! Why give up the opportunity to do these other things if for something that you’re only going to do half heartedly? Make the sacrifice well worth it. Have fun on that field. Give it everything you have while you’re there!

Another thing to remember is that, while you may be making a sacrifice, you’ve also been given an opportunity that not everyone has. There are others out that want to be where you are, but can’t be. Maybe they want to play, but don’t have the talent and didn’t make the team. Maybe they did make the team, but are injured and can’t. I’m sure they’ll tell you that being out on that field is 10 times better than being on the bench with an injury. Maybe they do have talent, they aren’t injured, but other circumstances keep them from being able to be on the team (no money to pay fees, parents need help at home, don’t have a way to get to and from practice each day, etc). All of these potential players are sitting on the sideline wanting so much to be where you are at, but they can’t be. You are there, make the most of it. How do you think it makes them feel to want so much to be there, but not be? Then on top of that, how do you think it makes them feel to see you out there taking it for granted? Not making the most of it? Don’t waste the opportunity you’ve been given.

Play this game all out so that you have no regrets. Not only is it better for your team because you'll be a better player, it's better for you. I don't want you looking back in 5 years saying, "If I practiced a little harder, I could have been better" or "If I took things a little more seriously I could have made it further." Each day, when you walk off the field, at the very least, you should be able to look back and say, "I gave my best today. That was my best effort." You may not have made every play, you may not have gotten the big hits, but you should at least be able to say that you gave the best effort you could give on that particular day. If you can do that, you will have no softball regrets, because you gave everything you had to give, you accomplished everything you could have possibly accomplished, and left everything you had on the field. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. You did all you could do and, whether you become an All-American or not, that is something to be proud of.

Article by Stacie Mahoe
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