Through Their Eyes, Not Mine
Varsity Softball. It is my game. It was not my first goal. I was shooting for the JV team. However, my coach saw something more and he picked me, as a freshman, to be part of something bigger. My season, as a Varsity Softball player, was one of the biggest challenges I’ve had in my lifetime.
I am not the best hitter that has ever walked onto the field. Actually, not even close. Not only am I 14 years old, 107 pounds, and 5ft.3, but I am left handed. During the first game I got hit by the pitcher. Not once, but twice. Great way to start off the season! Not. Fear was stirred inside me, and I struck out 7 consecutive times in following games. I was beginning to wonder what my coach was thinking when he picked me.
Outfield was my home. I stood out there in the way of any ball that came flying towards me. Every single game I missed the first ball that came my way. Once more, what was my coach thinking? There were other girls that could have played better, but he chose me. I did my best. I tried my hardest. What more could you ask for, besides begging him to take me out.
There was one certain day when I reached my limit. I was tired from lack of sleep, stressed out from homework, and sick of being a bad softball player. The season was almost over, but it wasn’t done yet. Our team had made it to the playoffs, even if it was the ninth seed. Practice that day was huge but I continued to mess everything up. I dropped nearly every ball that was hit to me, and while I was hitting, no matter how many times I swung at the ball, I missed.
By the end of practice everything had finally hit me in one wave and as we were walking back, tears of frustration started running down my cheeks. One of the girls came up to me and asked what was wrong. I released all of the feelings that had been occurring with my stress on the team and finally asked, “Why me? Why did coach have to pick me?” I will always remember her response. “Liz, what are you talking about? Coach wouldn’t have picked you if he hadn’t seen some potential that you posses. You are a part of the team and he picked you to be in it because of what he can see. He knows what he is doing.” I was immediately uplifted by her words and actions toward me, the youngest player on the team. It made me remember the times that I had succeeded. The times when I got on base, hit the ball, or made a catch. It made me feel useful and wanted by someone from my team.
She made me believe that when you look down upon yourself there is always someone looking up towards you. Even when you may not see something that you posses, others will see that in you, and when they reveal the truth it will last you for a lifetime.