A couple years ago my dad and I got a hold of a five dollar, yellow, plastic whiffle ball bat and it changed the course of history. I don't know who mass produced that bat, heck, I don't know who planted trees in a perfect shade circle in the park next to my house, but each one of these people played into the story that would lead to today.
My dad and I first took that bat and ball down to the park. We found that circle of trees and made it our spot. Two years later, we've now played catch there a hundred times. Swung the softball bat there. Learned to field the grounder, catch the pop fly, and make the long throw to an imaginary home plate. It is funny, learning kinda sneaks up on you. I mean, I don't think I am all that much better than I was six months ago, but if I look back two years I have grown a ton! So it must be happening a little every day. It must be happening in the park and at the practices, I must be learning, because I am now playing travel ball.
At the end of All-Stars, a lot of girls were signing up for Fall Ball, and the truth is, I really miss my friends who are playing, but I wanted to go next level, and play a more competitive version of softball. Don't ask me why, I don't really know how to explain it, but I just wanted to be on a team that is designated as a cut above. So, I went and signed up for some tryouts at the end of summer.
Let's be honest, I didn't sign up for anything: my mom scouted out travel ball teams on Facebook and my dad called and talked to every coach in the Sacramento region holding a tryout. It is funny how the universe works. I was super bummed to miss out on one try out because I was sick and another because timing just didn't work out, but then it happened: I walked out onto that field and things just clicked: I was offered a spot on what would become my first travel ball team - the Yard Sharks! And what a season it was!
We worked out three times a week, played like 60 games, and won a ton of medals! It was a great first travel ball experience.
But as is my story and every story, there are highs and lows, there are wins and losses, and the one constant in life is that nothing every stays the same. After that first season with the YS, I moved onto another team, where I spent three seasons developing an even deeper understanding and love of the game. Today, while I love my friends on the team, I have made the scary decision once again to reach for the next highest wrung on the ladder and accept a spot on a team that will be traveling up and down the West Coast this summer. Just like when I left little league, I will miss my friends, but I know that chasing my dreams sometimes means taking a leap of faith. Wish me luck!
