This last weekend the junior high softball team hosted their invitational tournament. The girls played 2 games on Friday and two games on Saturday. They won the first 3 games and made it to the championship game that was played against Owasso that evening. The Lady Zebras battled, but came up little short, finishing with a runner up trophy, and a 3-1 record for the weekend. But telling you about the weekend is only part of the reason I am telling this story. The main reason is the expectations of an athlete.
So what do I mean expectations of an athlete? Well the junior high softball team gained an understanding of what that means, and did so performing at a high level this past Friday and Saturday. These girls arrived at the fields on Friday at 8:30 AM and played their first game at 10 AM. Then they worked the fields in between games, worked the gate to help raise money, worked in the concession, ran the scoreboard for other games, as well as many other things. Then they played their next game at 7 PM, and beat a very talented Oologah team to finish 2-0 on Friday. Then they came back on Saturday and played the first and last game, as well as performed all of these duties again. They finished the last game and walked off the field a little after 10 PM. Why am I telling you this? Because that is the expectation and the drive our girl’s have. They could choose to do other things but they don’t. They celebrate birthdays with each other at the ballpark. They miss parties, dinners, movies with friends, the county fair, going to grandma’s house, all so they can wear the Zebra uniform and play the game they love.
Another expectation we have as coaches is, if you can play, then you play. In football, if you sprain your ankle, put some tape on it and get back on the field. In wrestling, if you dislocate your finger, let’s pop that thing back in place, tape it to another finger and get back on the mat. Can you expect 7th and 8th grade girls to do things like this? The answer is yes. You see I am pretty new to coaching girls athletics and as we just started women’s wrestling a few years ago. In the beginning I worried about how I would be able to relate to young girls and how would I coach them compared to how I coached the boys. Well I found out real quick that it was easier than I thought it would be. I found out that there is no difference and to treat them exactly the same. The girls never asked to be treated differently, so why should I treat them differently? They want to be coached hard, they want to show you that they are just as tough as the boys, and sometimes they are tougher. If you don't believe me, then you were not at the junior high softball tournament watching what I watched.
Reese Castle proved on Saturday night exactly what I wrote in the last paragraph. In the 2nd inning of the championship game she was pitching and doing well, but found herself in a bad spot. The bases were loaded with two outs and Owasso was one hit away from taking a big lead. We needed an out any way we could get it. Reese delivers a pitch and before she could react the girl smashes a line drive right back at her. The ball had to be moving 85 to 90 miles per hour, and It hits Reese on the inside of her knee. She didn't fall down and start screaming, she somehow found enough composure to take a few steps, pick up the ball and throw the girl out at first. After she had done everything she could to give her team the best chance to win, then she went down. It took her just a few seconds to get up and walk off the field with everyone cheering her on and appreciating her effort. Even the Owasso fans were cheering because that is what you do when you witness heart in sports.
Now you're probably wondering did she finish the game? Of course she did, because that is the expectation. The expectation from herself, from her coaches, and from her parents. If you can play, then you play. She could no longer pitch, but she knew she could help her team in other ways, so you finished the game at first base. As I said earlier the Zebras came up short in that game, but it was not because of a lack of effort, toughness, or want to. Reese, as well as the other girls, gave it all they had, and that as well is the expectation. Leave it all on the field, the Lady Zebras did that.
Congrats girls and finish your season strong.