Howdy Wildcat fans,
Something that I want to share about in this week’s roundup is on one of the most frequently asked questions I get as a veteran player. This question is asked by the up and coming collegiate softball players or their parents who come to watch Arizona softball. The most common type of question they ask is, “What advice do you have for my younger athlete pursuing the game of softball?”
This question always makes me think of the reason why I started playing softball in the first place. Because it was fun then, and it is still fun to this day!
When you think about softball, we try to hit a ball with a stick and run in a circle on a field that is shaped like a diamond. Talk about a funny game! But what people do not see are the challenges that are faced and overcome within this sport that bring about the most joy when you finally are successful. The game of softball is all about failure, I’m sure you’ve heard one of your coaches say, “The game of softball is 90% mental.” Truly, it is! The success we find in this game occurs very little, but when we do find it, it is the best feeling. I find that my success comes from when I just play and let the game come to me and have fun with everything that occurs within it. There are always going to be moments of learning, moments of failure, but through it all, every moment will be fun.
I also mentioned that this enjoyment of the game stems from just letting the game come to me. This means that I am able to let the game evolve, rather than forcing the game to have a certain outcome or trying to play the game in ways that are outside of my control. I am playing the game exactly how it is evolving and letting my preparation and abilities take over. Playing the game with a mindset of confidence, at ease, and with a positive attitude is what makes the game fun. When you try to control the outcome of moments within a game, that is when we play tense and on edge and find that we are working harder rather than having fun. I am guilty of this and I am a fifth year senior! It is so easy for me to try and control the outcome of an at bat, a pitch, an inning, and I always find myself more frustrated when I play the game this way rather than just trusting my abilities and letting the game come to me! The best part about this game is that not one game is the same. No matter how long you will play this game or how many games you will play in a year, every game evolves in its own unique way and that is truly why it is fun to play. With this in mind, we should approach every game prepared to play OUR BEST. Meaning, no matter the outcome, I am going to respect the game by playing to the best of my ability and trusting my preparation and whatever play or situation comes my way, I am going to approach it with undoubted confidence in myself and my team. This mindset is what truly makes the game fun as every pitch, every at bat, every inning, and every game we play is unique and the outcome is always thrilling no matter the matchup!
So no matter what kind of day you have in the circle, at the plate, or on defense, never forget the reason why you started playing this game and allow yourself to fall in love with the process of becoming a well-rounded softball player!
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