Topic: Me v.

Softball
Theme: Coming back

“You’re going to be the only freshman on varsity” said the head softball coach.

The younger version of myself is jumping in the air at that moment. I had reached the goal I always had
since I could begin to think about softball. I made varsity as a Freshman, but not only that, I was the only
one to make varsity, even after major setbacks months beforehand.

Months beforehand, I was going through a lot, I wasn’t getting treated right on the team I was on and I
knew I deserved better. So, I left the team I was on for four years to pursue my talents and abilities
somewhere where I was more wanted and more credited for abilities that I have. But, the departure that I
had was not what I thought it would be. Essentially, I was saying goodbye to my years of friendships
because they were leaving as well. But, what I didn’t expect was that the coach would ruin everything for
me, kinda. I nonetheless got my heart broken by a coach. I didn’t know how to cope with not being with
the same team, coach, friends and families that I was with for years. What I didn’t expect was that would
be the best blessing I could have asked for at the time for my future success.

During the time period of being hurt, I started to lose love for the game I had played since I was five. I
didn’t want anything to do with softball. I wanted to have a normal life of no tournaments during the
weekends and be able to keep constant friendships. I didn’t even want to pursue my dreams of going to
college and playing.

After a lot of tears, dreading, and constant uncertainty in my head, my parents finally convinced me to
actually try out for the high school softball team. I was so unsure of everything. I didn’t know if the
dream that I was envisioning since I was younger was gone or if I just needed to keep pushing myself.

Winter workouts started. I pushed myself to limits I didn’t even know were possible. I took on weight
lifting and open gyms every other day, getting into the best shape of my life. I proved to myself that
maybe the fire and the drive I had before was not gone, that it was just a pivotal and growing moment of
my life.

I showed the coach what I had during tryouts. He saw me and he was willing to give me a chance. He
eventually gave me yet another chance to then become a starter. Looking back at it now, it was what I
needed. I needed that change of pace and I needed that motivation. I was getting too comfortable with
where I was, I needed to improve and I did just that. I was getting too comfortable with where I was in
my skill set, getting the starting spot and having someone behind me wanting it as much as I did kept me
moving and never settled for anything less than what I was capable of.

Going into my junior year, I'm already facing areas I need to improve in, and more hardships to battle
through. But, as time told, it all works out in the end. The new coming back story is soon to be told.