Love Of Softball

A few months ago my friend @MorganSmith_27 inspired me to chase down a softball coaching opportunity that I wanted. I sent an email right away to our Little League and after overcoming some obstacles (under 18) they finally made an exception. Now I'm the Jr. Coach of SWAT, Softball With Attitude Team.  The girls are eleven and twelve years old, they are eager to learn and as you can tell by this picture they have fun!

I absolutely love working with these girls to teach them the fundamentals, how to be aggressive players and hopefully I'm inspiring them to love the game!  I expected coaching would be all about them . . . boy was I wrong! I'm learning more about myself and I really love spending time with these girls!  

It is so rewarding when a player makes progress, executes on a new play or even something as small as the basics of how to properly throw a ball.  

My heart is fuller and my love for softball continues to grow!

          

10 Commandments of Social Media For Student-Athletes

Social media can be a lot of fun but as a student athlete there are rules that we need to live by. Breaking these rules can cost you a scholarship.

My parents always preach that before I post anything on social media it has to pass this test; would God, my parents and coaches approve? If not do not post.

Sad for me to say, but I know two girls who have lost scholarships because of social media. But follow these social media rules you will have nothing to worry about.

10 Social Media Commandments For Student Athletes

1. Never be in a red solo cup or party pictures. You may be drinking water but Coaches will think the worse and it can cost you a scholarship. 

2. Treat others how you would like to be treated.

3. Stay positive and upbeat. Nobody wants to be around negative people.

4. Follow Coaches and tweet them it will help you get on their radar.

5. Surround yourself with positive people, who share your goals.

6. Be a leader and try inspire other athletes to work harder and go after their goals.

7. Save the swear words for truck drivers not twitter.

8. Do stalk the schools, coaches and teams that you are interested in to learn more about them.

9. Limit selfies.  You may be beautiful but narcissistic is ugly. 

10. Be inspired and learn the ropes from college players, coaches, trainers and pro's.

Gratitude

This is the season for reflection, so I started thinking about this year and all of my blessings. Thank you to everyone in my life, all of you play a special role and for that I'm so grateful. 

Some of you push me to work harder, study longer, guide me to make good decisions, make me laugh, boost my confidence, be more compassionate and forgiving but all of you help me to become a better person!  

September 1st . . . Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock!

   "Be The Student-Athlete Coaches Dream Of"

As long as I can remember, I wanted to play college softball. Two years ago                  I sat down and wrote my own mission statement.  

My mission statement keeps me focused on my goals. I'm not an All American athlete and I do not have a  4.5 GPA but I'm 100% of the following . . . 

• Compassionate Christian
• Love, Love, Love Softball 
• Always a Team Player
• Ability To Play Multiple Positions
• Self Driven & Hard Worker
• Respectful and Humble
• National Honor Society Member
• Special Olympics Coach and Mentor
• I Know Who I'am & What I Want In Life 
• Fun and Easy Going 

I'm not sure what to expect on September 1st.  But I hope you call 

 480-639-9238

Softball Recruiting Advice You Need To Know!

Lately I have been getting some great advice that I want to share with you. If you are like me, the recruiting process is confusing. Shout out to Jeff Conrad 
@SoftballConnects and Ashley Muenz for their help. 

This past weekend I bet you watched your favorite teams with star-stuck eyes.   We all have dreams that one day that will be "me" on the field, fighting for the title! Maybe you are good enough to play top tier D1 ball . . . but is it the right thing for you?

All of this advice and heart to heart talks with my coaches made my head spin! We have a lot of really important decisions to make. Below are a bunch of questions that you need to consider when choosing the schools you want to target.

Here are the questions you need to ask yourself. . . Be honest!

Would you be successful at a huge University? (40,000 students)

Would you be more successful at a smaller University?

Do your targeted schools offer the degree/programs you want?

What is more important to you, playing ball or education?

How far/close do you want to be from family?

Can your parents afford extra costs beyond scholarship awards?

Are you good enough to play at the schools you are targeting?

Are you the type of player that is okay not being a starter?

What is the crime rate in the city of the schools you are targeting?

Can you live in extreme heat or extreme cold? consider weather

How does your targeted schools rank in their conference?

Do you want to be on a extremely competitive team? 


Please add any questions or ideas that I missed.

Road Maps, Breaking Bad And Faith

What do successful athletes have in common?  

Not literal road maps . . . but mental maps. Successful athletes  map out their route to success, and more importantly they stay the course no matter what!

I'm sure pro's have really sophisticated mental maps. Here is the mental map that I wrote last July it is simple and straight forward. Some people might laugh at this but I don't care. I have followed this map all year, and because of it I'm closer to reaching my goals. I read this at least once a week.  I continue to make the right choices that will insure that I get to where I want to go. 
  

What separates great athletes from good athletes?  

Great athlete break bad habits!

It is expected that athletes train a lot. However most athletes just go through the motions. without taking a step back to be honest and really assess themselves. If you cannot do this alone (which is tough to do) ask your coaches what areas you need to work on, and start setting short-term goals to get better.

Great athletes own their flaws and weaknesses they are determined to improve.  This year I needed to improve my speed (among other things) I have been weight training so I will have stronger legs. I have a speed coach and strength coach that I work with four days a week, and I push myself to do sprints on my off days.  Guess what? I'm faster and I will continue to get faster.

To me faith is everything! 

I'm not going to get all preachy on you because everyone is different. . . however I do have an unbreakable faith in God, and that relationship continues to grow the faith that I have in myself. I know that through God all things are possible. When I walk in faith I can accomplish everything I put my mind too.  

All great athletes do not have strong religious faith but this one does!

#WorkInProgress 

Random Rants From 3rd Base

It has been awhile since my last blog post . . . between homework, studying, practice, games and trying to have a personal life I tend to get a little busy and then of course I struggle with what to write about.

Don't let my sweet smile fool you, I'm one lean, mean, softball machine. Today I'm gonna share what 

is going through my mind when I'm playing . . . cuz why not!

I'm warning you that I do not have a PG brain when I'm playing ball, I'm on the field to win . . . so you can bet that in my head I'm "talking trash" I'm loving it when I tag you out, or when I run pass the base you are supposed to be protecting and when I send you back to the dugout with your head hung low! You better believe that it is personal. . .we are not petting kittens or coloring rainbows we are playing softball sometimes it gets shitty and that is just how it is, and at the end of the day I'm not here to make friends I'm hear to win!

       "I dare you to play the short game . . . it will be your quickest way back to the dugout"

                          "Thank you Kobata . . . she will NEVER get that extra step again"

                   "My Friday nights at the cage are about to pay off you better back the eff up!"

 "Whatever you got . . . I'm crushing it as hard as I can, right at you" 

Girls are expected to be sweet and nice. I know what I'm thinking on the field is not socially acceptable but this is who I am, it's how I'm wired. I play with a lot of passion and I personally believe it's what makes me a better player.  

Don't confuse my mental toughness with poor sportsmanship - I will be the first one to admit if someone out played me or congratulate the winning team!