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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 82 anonymousDiscussion: Softball Thoughts to Share and Add
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| May 24, 2020 IDon'tKnow 3rdBase Men's 65 28 posts | Softball Thoughts to Share and Add As I sit at home this Memorial weekend, my thoughts about playing softball stay amplified. It has been 25 years since I had a season without playing in leagues and tournaments and 50 of the last 59 years. There is so much more to the game besides winning and losing. Don’t get me wrong, winning is most rewarding and losing is very difficult. Winning I remember forever and losing I tend to forget over time. The feelings I have playing the game, especially now as a senior, keeps me motivated to continue to improve myself even as age and health robs me of what I was back when. Why is that? I always want to do my best and be my best for myself and teammates. I miss the positives, high fives, fist pumps and other forms of recognition that happens on the spot and after. I have received more positives from my teammates after an important hit or fielding play than I would get saving the company at work a hundred thousand dollars. Remember Monty Python, Life of Brian, “Always look on the bright side of life”. All players on the field are supportive and positive in their approach to other teams and most players. As much as I want to win and the other team to lose, the players are all worthy of positives for plays well done. In business, I read it takes 40 positive customer experiences to make up for a single bad review. The reverse is truer in softball. One positive response far outweighs a negative experience. By human nature, we capture the positives and let go the negatives. Why, I don’t know, but I can recall many positives and have blocked out many negatives. It is a good feeling to be on the plus side of life. We want the best equipment – bats, gloves, shoes, etc. – to have an advantage and be at our best. Why do we look at our glove after not making a play or our bat after not getting a solid hit? We don’t want anything to limit our success on the field. I grew up having baseball and football heroes, wishing I could share and feel what they have, to be like them. I never came close. Softball games, especially tournament play, are the closest I will ever get. When it happens occasionally, I am on cloud nine. I can never get enough of that feeling. I cherish the opportunities to be one of the heroes and to produce for our team. I admit it is addictive, but it feels so good. Please comment with your thoughts to share. |
