Why I Play Softball

The other day, I was showing off my softball battle wounds. I thought they were pretty impressive, but then a girl who does not play asked me, “How could you play softball when you have things flying at you and giving you bruises?” I didn’t really think to answer her, but later on in the day I thought about what she had asked.

Her question lead to asking myself, "Why DO I play softball?" I thought about this for a while and decided that I love playing softball mostly because it is a place of freedom. I don’t have to look pretty and it is okay to get dirty. When I’m playing, I don’t have to think about life or even what English assignment is due tomorrow.

Above all else, I play softball because of the friends I’ve made. I am friends with girls I probably would not have talked to otherwise. We goof off and have fun but also learn a lot from each other. They have taught me how to be a team player and how to get along with a variety of personalities. We endure pain and defeat together as well as excitement and victories. We have experiences you couldn’t have anywhere else.

I look back to all of my softball memories and although there were a lot of bumps and bruises I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Play on! ....