Growing up, I attended many of my brother’s baseball games and traveled everywhere to watch professionals play the sport. The only thing on television that was watched in my house for the longest time was that game. It was kind of like a second religion that was practiced around my house, the game of baseball.

My career with the game started at one of my brother’s tournaments. I was sitting against the fence, fingers curled around the little diamond figures that made up the fence, knees all scratched up from the dirt and rocks below. My brothers team was losing and I wasn’t very happy about it.

“Ball four, take your base!” the umpire standing behind the plate, right on the other side of the fence, yelled out. Player number nine dropped his bat and took off towards the bag while the other players moved to the next. Bases were full and another player just tagged up on home plate off of a walk, scoring yet another run and ending the game. The other team had too many runs over ours and the game was now over.

Furiously kicking the fence and mumbling to myself, I turned around and ran into someone. “Sorry.” I mumbled to the guy, looking up at him.

“It’s okay kiddo,” he looked down and smiled at me. “Tough game wasn’t it?” I shook my head, rolling my eyes and started ranting about how the plays were terrible, the boys needed to stay more alert, and much improvement was needed on the boys throws. Shocked about my knowledge on the game, the guy knelt down to my level. “Your brother plays on this team doesn’t he?” Nodding to his question, I pointed back behind him showing him which one he was. “Did you know there’s a girl version of this sport? It’s called softball.”
“Girl versions of sports aren’t fun, it’s less action.” I crossed my arms as I gave him a look saying I’m eight but I know what I’m talking about. My parents wanted me to play softball and I did for a year last summer but it wasn’t good enough for me. I wasn’t interested in it and none of the girls understood it like I did.

“Well, there’s no softball team in our town and we are still in 10u so if you’re brave enough you could join our team. Maybe you can teach the boys a thing or two.”

That next week, I found myself on the field in my very own black and white cleats. I took the position at first base, never missing a fly ball, ground ball, and even line drives. First practice was like heaven for me, I absolutely loved it. The boys weren’t really fans of a girl on the field with them and there was a lot of trash talk thrown around, but I never let it phase me. I was good and I helped a lot and that’s all that mattered to me.
Two seasons went by of me playing with these boys. After I turned eleven I was too old for the age group and the 12u teams coach wouldn’t allow a girl on his team. The coach knew my talent and passion for the game but kept saying “I can’t have a girl on my team.” I planned to take a season off from playing, but that’s not what my dad had in plan.

The summer of 2012, I joined a travel team called the Lady Stormers. I was so amazed to play for these girls for we played home games at Clipper Magazine Stadium, home of the Lancaster Barnstormers, one of my favorite baseball teams from my city. I honestly didn’t believe I would enjoy playing with girls and for a softball team, I didn’t think they would be as interested as I was. But this team and these girls, changed everything. They were all so passionate and had such great knowledge on the game itself. That summer we traveled the east coast, played in about twelve tournaments and went undefeated in the whole season.

In September after the season finished, there was a team banquet and at that banquet I was taught something that I will never forget. As the banquet came to an end, I was called up on stage by two of my teammates and the head coach of my team.

As I stood up on the stage between two teammates and my coach behind me, they told my story. The girls stated how they saw me as a role model. One to never give up on anything. By my coach, I was told that I was one of the best players he has had in years. Not only being of my physical traits, but because of how passionate I am about the game. He too said how I never gave up on my teammates, and instead I pushed and taught them new skills and helped them improve themselves.

From then on, I carried out that role. I wanted to be that teammate to motivate my teammates to become better players and know the history and skills of the sport itself. And I’ve always done so. Playing all four high school years on varsity for my school, coaching training camps, being a head coach for my own 12u softball team, and helping girls all around to become strong, positive players.

I always knew that the game that was so important to my dad and my brother, would become just as important to me. And now I will always carry my love for the game and share all that I can with girls and boys who love it just as much as I do. Not only is it a game for me, but it’s a lifestyle.