softball experience by neida

softball experience by neida - February 2017 Scholarship Essay

One out of five people make the softball team. I was one of the ones that didn’t make the team in school.
At the beginning of my freshman year, I decided to try out for softball class. The first day there was alright, as was most of the whole week. We didn’t really do much; we would work out a lot with weights. The first day of real practice was hell for me. We were going to work outside. In the morning the sun comes out pretty early, so it was already really hot. We were half-way done with our workouts when I started to get over-heated, and I couldn’t see. I started seeing a bunch of white dots everywhere. I remember hearing Coach telling me to sit down, so I did. I laid down on the grass. I heard Coach Preston asking me, “What day is it?” “Tuesday,” I said. She laughed, and that’s when I completely fainted.
When I recovered, I saw three of my friends around me; they were handing me water and a Nature Valley bar. I was really scared that I would faint again throughout the day or anytime during a practice. As the days kept going by, I noticed that I wasn’t going to faint anymore. I tried my best every day in practice, and even if I didn’t make the team, I knew I was still going to be in the class. When the day arrived to find out if we were going to make the team or not, I wasn’t that scared. I had a strong feeling I wasn’t going to make it. I wasn’t prepared enough to be on a team like that. I was skinny and didn’t have much muscle nor experience. I learned that even if you don’t make the team, you can still prepare yourself.
The biggest regret I have is my slacking off. I slacked a lot freshman year because I thought softball was really easy, and I thought I would make the team. I sometimes still do want to play softball, and I know that to be able to make the team I have to work first on myself. For example, I should give my body more proteins, start working out and maybe even practice on throwing the ball farther and stronger. Then, I would be strong enough when the next season comes; I would be prepared. I learned that practice and good nutrition really can get you ready for the team and for life.