To my younger athletes

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  • Mattison Buster
    Mattison Buster
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To the younger generation of softball players, carry yourself with pride. Make your place in the world known. Ask questions. Learn. Be the best version of yourself mentally and physically. Be present. Enjoy the small moments of your sport. Slow down. Breathe. Take it all in. Know your worth.

Some coaches will look you in the eyes and say ESPN plays win games. I don’t disagree with them completely, but to me, winning is making the everyday plays, hitting your spots, staying calm, and enjoying the best years of your life with your best friends. To me, winning is hugging my shortstop after every out, or watching my outfielders run to each other after one of them catches a ball. Winning is the home run hugs, and looking into the stands after a game and seeing the people that mean the most to you and knowing you made them proud. You may not win the ball game every single time, but there are little wins within those seven innings that end up meaning more to you than any medal ever could.

I would love to be writing this article as a State Champion, but like I said you don’t always win every game. By my standards, I won. I hugged my shortstop for the last time after an out, I gave my catcher our last bullpen high five, my grandpa gave us our last Snickers bars to share on the way out, I danced with my centerfielder for the last time, and I had the time of my life doing it. I wouldn’t trade that State Final atmosphere or the people I shared it with for the world. When you find your people guys, keep them.

Softball is as much an individual sport as it is a team sport. You have to do your part in order for the team to succeed. You need players and coaches dedicated and willing enough to work towards a common goal. You need team chemistry and a want to succeed. You need like-minded people to help you pursue the highest level of play you can. You need to constantly want to make yourself better, never be complacent, but know your limits.

Coaches are a big part of the game as well. Find a style of coaching that makes you want to be better, but does it in a way you respond to well. I’ve never done great with coaches that get in my face and yell; I like a more relaxed coach/ player relationship.

Coach Wallace and I were truly a great example of that. I like to call him my best friend, but really he was just the kind of coach I responded to really well. There’s no way I would’ve enjoyed high school softball as much as I did without him. We had a very good understanding of each other’s dynamics, and I made sure to press his buttons as often as possible.

As a pitcher, it is very important that you make a relationship with your pitch caller, that way, when you shake them off, you get to make a joke about it at the end of the game.

Softball this season wouldn’t have been the same if we didn’t have coaches like Coach Hunter and Coach Wallace.

As a young athlete, remember that there are always going to be people with opinions. Sometimes, they don’t even relate to the sport, but opinions nonetheless. Ignore them.

Have fun. Please don’t let anybody take away your thunder. Let your love of the game shine through. Embody your personal beliefs. Play for yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to. I believe in you.