Amac Productions

Softball is many things.

Softball can teach you many things.

However, there is nothing more important than sportsmanship.

It’s why it’s the first thing on the list of what I can teach to future and current softball players and coaches.

I can’t express enough how important it is to respect not only oneself on the field but the players around you, the umpires, the coaches, and the game itself.

The definition of sportsmanship is fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest.

Essentially, everyone on the field agrees to a fair and just play of the game, with respect to everyone involved.

For me, this takes many shapes, many faces for each and every softball player throughout their softball career will have their own versions of what this means to them.

Years ago, when I played for my town’s spring league we wanted to expand, to include other league’s spring teams. We sought to forge a good friendship with them.

We did this because not every town had enough kids to field several teams and they wouldn’t have been able to play in the spring.

The reason in and of itself is sportsmanship.

Everyone getting the chance to play the sport we enjoyed.

For me, one of my proudest achievements, was playing against a local town.

They were a kind group of girls. Unfortunately, they were not as skilled as our team, and we beat them easily. It was of no matter though.

Throughout the game, myself, the umpire, and the batters were enjoying teasing and joking with one another. After every at bat, if the player had dropped their bat during it, I would retrieve it, and return it to their team.

For me it was a simple act.

Something I’d done countless times.

A practice I started because I knew the girls I was playing against. I found it easy to talk with and joke with girls I’d played with before, who I now opposed.

Something I started to do with every team I played against.

This wasn’t war.

I’m not out to be cruel or here for blood.

We’re all on the field playing for the same thing. To play the sport we love and be with others who love it too.

So, I’d pick up the bat. I’d joke with the umpire. With the batters.

At the end of the game, I was packing up the car with my parents. I still could feel that cool night on my skin, the moment of trying to load the damn car so we could go home, and suddenly someone shouted.

“Hey number 12!” I remembered spinning around to look, belatedly remembering my number was 12 and not 13 as it usually is. “You’re really nice!”

Honestly, I don’t remember much else from that game.

I don’t remember the score.

I don’t remember what day it was or night, the month. I don’t remember where ended up in the season.

Nothing.

I remember that moment though.

I remember that I made friends.

That I impressed the umpire – who ran that town’s league – so much, he invited me to join his dome team comprised of players from his town and wherever else he found people he liked.

I remember those girls were my friends for a long time.

I remember being kind impacted their view of my town. Which still hosted a bad reputation.

I remember it mattered.

I didn’t know it until later when I joined the coaching ranks of the league and got older. My kindness impacted the decision to continue our town’s relationships. Their girls liked us, got to know us, because one of us chose to be kind.

Sportsmanship matters.

You may not see it now or weeks or months, but everything you do on that field matters.

Not just for softball, any sport. Any team. Any activity.

Treating others fairly and equal and remembering we have common goals is important to life.

Sportsmanship is the most important thing. Don’t ever forget to be compassionate to your fellow human.

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