For the Love of Softball by McKenna

For the Love of Softball by McKenna - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

For the longest time I can remember, I’ve played softball and I’ve loved doing it. I’ve never minded having to commute at least an hour to be able to practice with my team, or stay after practice and condition a little harder; extra work is something that has to be done. When I was younger a former coach of mine told me I was too short and too slow to play third base, but it was what I loved to do. So instead of letting those words bring me down, I worked harder and harder. Now, in my senior year, I have made the starting all-state team and have offers from several colleges to play third base for them. My parents have always been more than willing to give me money or pay for things I need to be able to do what I enjoy more than anything. To be able to play the game so many love, I must meet the mental and physical demands, put in an immense amount of time, and pay a small fortune to at least play at the collegiate level.
Being in a hitting slump or missing a couple groundballs is hard on a player’s mentality. I know it is for me. Striking out and not getting a hit makes it feel as though I’ve let my teammates down. Even when I’m in low spirits about my performance, I have to use my mistakes to improve every at bat and play of the game. At the national tournament in the summer of 2018 I made a couple errors which ended up costing us runs, but I made up for them with my bat ending three or four of the games with walk-off hits to score the go ahead runs. It is important that I’m physically able to make plays for my team as well. I’ve made diving catches, difficult backhands, and caught scorching line drives to help my team get out of tough innings. Making plays is a huge part of being on a team, but it doesn’t just come overnight; undoubtedly, bettering myself not only with my coaches but on my own time is something I am are required to do if I want to become a great softball player.
There have been countless times I have asked to stay after practice or to come in before practice to improve my abilities on the field. Getting up early on summer mornings when most people are sleeping in, staying late at practice, or missing fun activities with friends that don’t play softball due to games or practices have never been a problem to me. It’s what I love. Taking a couple extra swings in practice or even some extra groundballs can go a long way; however, if I take the time to work on techniques outside of practice, I can’t expect greatness. Between school practices, competitive practices, and practicing on my own, there doesn’t seem to be much time for anything else. Staying on top of schoolwork is extremely important, so time management is crucial. In the end, without funding, a softball career would come to a halt due to the outrageous expenses demanded by this sport.
To say softball is expensive would be an understatement. Over the past year alone, my parents and I have spent around $4,000 between monthly dues, hotels, and gas to name a few expenses. My mom once said, “If we put the money we use for softball in its own account, I’m sure we could buy a new car.” Over the twelve years I have played softball, about $48.000 have been spent on bats, gloves, uniforms, and other expenses not including what has been spent throughout the duration of my sister playing softball. There are times my parents, my sister, and even I do without things we would like to have so softball can be funded. My parents have always been more than willing to front the bills for hotel rooms, pay often outrageous amounts to get into my games, give me money to eat with, or stay up to wee hours of the night driving me to and from softball tournaments.
Playing softball has affected my life physically, mentally, financially, and it takes up most of my time. Yet I wouldn’t change a thing. Living without softball would be like living without my arms; I could do it but it would be very unpleasant. Softball is a mentally draining, physically demanding, and money and time eating sport—and I choose to do it every day. The long car rides, arguments with friends and family, and exhausting tournaments and camps are definitely worth it in the end. To be able to celebrate with those close to me and see that all the sacrifice being made by my family and me have finally paid off is what matters most.