Happiness & Confidence: Characteristics gained from softball
I am passionate about softball. Softball is a challenging sport that tests your endurance, leadership, teamwork, and confidence. Softball is not an easy sport.
You have to be focused and be able to withstand the weather that mother nature throws at you. You also have to be able to field and hit without showing how tired you are.
You have to be focused and be able to withstand the weather that mother nature throws at you. You also have to be able to field and hit without showing how tired you are.
Endurance
Endurance matters in softball, especially if you play travel or play for a Division 1 college. I will only be able to share my experiences from travel ball since I am not old enough to play in college yet. A tournament in travel ball can last anywhere from two to seven days. Most are two or three though, but it is possible to play up to four games a day.
As a starting catcher, I have to stay in a squat position for the majority of the tournament and let me tell you, it gets tiring. It is important to remember that your mind gives up before your body. You have to stay strong by being hydrated and powering through the pain. This is important for all players, but most important for catchers and pitchers since they are involved in every play.
Leadership
For all the catchers and team captains out there, leadership is an important skill. Everyone on your team is your friend, so when being a leader, I don’t mean boss people around. I mean when you see what the pitcher of the other team is throwing and what the umpire is calling, tell your team.
If your teammates make a mistake, tell them so they can work on it in practice, but do not act like a know-it-all. You want to motivate your teammates to do well, not pummel their confidence into the ground.
Confidence
Confidence is key. If you are not confident in your abilities, it will show in your performance. Do not get discouraged about a mistake. Shake it off and move on to the next play.
If your mind focuses on that one mistake, there will be more mistakes to come. Take it one play at a time. Hold your head high. When a mistake is made, do not drop your shoulders or get discouraged. Stay confident in yourself.
Teamwork
If you make a mistake on a play, your teammate should back you up. If your teammate makes a mistake on a play, you should back them up. When there is a conflict between players, then team bonding would be the best way to go. When someone is down, pick them back up and move onto the next play. The game isn’t over yet. Softball is a great social sport as well as a competitive sport. The majority of my closest friends I have met through softball. We are comfortable with each other, and hang out on and off the field.
Endurance, leadership, confidence, and teamwork are not the only attributes you will gain from playing softball. There is so much more to learn from the sport. I highly recommend softball for girls who are looking to be active and make friends. It has a healthy amount of competition, and you make long-lasting friends. Plus, it boosts your confidence when you get someone out. You will only know if softball is for you if you grab a glove, grab a ball, grab a friend, and put yourself out there into the world of softball.
Endurance matters in softball, especially if you play travel or play for a Division 1 college. I will only be able to share my experiences from travel ball since I am not old enough to play in college yet. A tournament in travel ball can last anywhere from two to seven days. Most are two or three though, but it is possible to play up to four games a day.
As a starting catcher, I have to stay in a squat position for the majority of the tournament and let me tell you, it gets tiring. It is important to remember that your mind gives up before your body. You have to stay strong by being hydrated and powering through the pain. This is important for all players, but most important for catchers and pitchers since they are involved in every play.
Leadership
For all the catchers and team captains out there, leadership is an important skill. Everyone on your team is your friend, so when being a leader, I don’t mean boss people around. I mean when you see what the pitcher of the other team is throwing and what the umpire is calling, tell your team.
If your teammates make a mistake, tell them so they can work on it in practice, but do not act like a know-it-all. You want to motivate your teammates to do well, not pummel their confidence into the ground.
Confidence
Confidence is key. If you are not confident in your abilities, it will show in your performance. Do not get discouraged about a mistake. Shake it off and move on to the next play.
If your mind focuses on that one mistake, there will be more mistakes to come. Take it one play at a time. Hold your head high. When a mistake is made, do not drop your shoulders or get discouraged. Stay confident in yourself.
 |
| I left my medal in the car when this picture was taken, but I swear I got one. |
If you make a mistake on a play, your teammate should back you up. If your teammate makes a mistake on a play, you should back them up. When there is a conflict between players, then team bonding would be the best way to go. When someone is down, pick them back up and move onto the next play. The game isn’t over yet. Softball is a great social sport as well as a competitive sport. The majority of my closest friends I have met through softball. We are comfortable with each other, and hang out on and off the field.
 |
| Our softball team plays hard and works hard together. |
The opinions of the stated author does not constitute an official position of the Lampeter-Strasburg School District or of the LS News editorial board.
--By Karissa Hirt, LS News reporter
