Softball

For as long as I could remember, I had always played two sports- soccer and softball. I knew that I would want to play one of these sports in college, however I was unsure of which one. Heading into high school, I really had to make a decision. After the summer was over my decision was quite clear. I wanted to play softball.

My freshman year, I still continued to play soccer for the school team but it was just for fun. The spring came and I played softball and that was that. Over the summer I played in multiple tournaments with my travel team and even went to three individual college showcases. 

Sophomore year came quick and knowing that I wanted to play softball in college, I had to try out for a college showcase team- the one I play on now. Unfortunately, I had to quit soccer in order to fully commit myself to doing this. All of a sudden I was practicing at least three times a week with the team, trying to complete individual strength training three times a week, and go to four tournaments throughout the course fall. Luckily they were only two day tournaments. My schedule was constantly full and getting homework done was always a struggle. But, I had to find a way to balance it all because as my coaches always say, “If you can’t find a balance, you can’t play in college.” 

Over the winter, I had to come up with a list of ten to twelve colleges I wanted to be recruited by and send an introduction email. As a sophomore I had no idea where to even start, but things seemed to work itself out. After the introduction email, responses about coming to that schools camp flew back almost instantly. Of course, in order to get recruited, you had to go to camps, so I went. 

School finished at the beginning of June and a week or two later, I was back at it again-practice three times and a three-day tournament on the weekend. It was exhausting. I emailed coaches and played all summer. 

Today, I still have practice two to three times a week with four tournaments in the fall. I still have to do individual strength training three times a week and I have to email coaches every week. As annoying as it is, it pays off in the end and I love to spend time with my team who is like a second family.