My first love... This one may be a shocker, since my hubby was my first real boyfriend and while he was the first (and only) man I have loved, he was not my FIRST love!
Fast-pitch Softball!! That's it! It was love at first pitch! I loved playing so much, its some of the best memories I have!
It really all started with my Mom! She actually played in a family softball game the day before I was born (I love that story). It was meant to be! I grew up watching her play, she was amazing and I wanted to be just like her!
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| Mom and me after/before a softball tournament |
I wanted to play! I remember sitting in P.E class and them talking about the sign up for the city league and I was so EXCITED! But there was a catch... I had a best friend and we did EVERYTHING together and she didn't want to play! At the time I couldn't imagine doing anything without her (I was like 8 what can I say)!!!! So I let that season go by without me. I am pretty sure my parents gave me a good talk about how we don't have to do everything together and that if I wanted to play, I should! So we signed me up!!! My first practice I told my coach I wanted to be the catcher (just like my Mom) and that was it, I was HOOKED! I might have wavered for a moment when that first pitch got away and hit me on my thigh... okay I cried and my Mom told me "if it's not broken or bleeding get back in there" and that was all it took!!! She also told the coach that I wanted to be the catcher and to put me back in!
Fast forward a couple of years and I am pretty much spending every hour I have extra playing and practicing! My Dad is also spending every spare second he has teaching and coaching me, we worked hard and formed a bond that will forever be! He tried with all his might to get me to be a better ball player (countless hours at the batting cages) and in the Spring of 98 it payed off! I made the High school team and I was so EXCITED!!! I lettered as a Sophmore and played two seasons with the Varsity team!
But sadly my Senior year I decided to quit! It BROKE my heart. I sat in the coaches office crying telling her that I was done, I didn't agree with the direction she was taking the team and I couldn't be a part! She took a District winning team and broke us up, pitted us against each other, our harmony as a team was gone and I didn't enjoy playing for her! I continued to play on my summer league but without my senior year College ball was out of the question! I know I let my parents down but I had to do it...
Softball taught me so much and was a HUGE part of my life! I will always LOVE softball and I am always looking for a team... I played while J was deployed the first time and had a blast! I can't wait to get my kids into ball and teach them everything my Mom and Dad taught me!
