Raising Athletes | Softball Is For Girls

Raising athletes. It is not always a walk in the park. It makes life busy and crazy and downright hectic. It’s expensive. It’s time consuming. Raising athletes, whether they play softball, or lacrosse or cheerleading, or football or soccer or track…it’s tough. 

At some point, at some age – we all ask “is this worth it?” 

Is the money into pitching and catching lessons worth it? Is the time worth it? Is giving up every Saturday, every summer, vacations – worth it?

When the kids get older and the sheer excitement of GAME DAY seem to turn into you being more excited at 6am than they are, you wonder “Is it worth it?” 

When your child seems burnt out, or just tired, or more interested in social things – you will look back at the time and money and sacrifices, and want to ring their neck because of everything YOU (and them) put in all those years, only to have it trumped by a bonfire with friends. 

We aren’t going to bore you with all the psychological studies that explain ALL the benefits that athletics have on your children. Because deep down, you and I, and the kids know its WORTH IT. 

But we will tell you what the point of all this is. For some, it may be to get into college and get some scholarship money. For others its a way to pass time and have fun. Others play because their friends are doing it. 

But the REAL POINT, the REAL REASON that all of this….is worth it, is because at the end of the day, at the end of the season, the day she hangs up her cleats or turns in her pom poms, the goal is raising adults. 

The one main goal of every COACH and every PARENT, is (or SHOULD BE) to raise well adjusted, confident, disciplined, responsible ADULTS. 

Our goals are not just about winning games, or getting into college. Our goals HAVE to be to raise children who grow up to be awesome mothers and fathers to tomorrows children. 

To raise kids who grow up to be good husbands, and good wives. Who grow up to compassionate towards others, who have empathy, and who are prepared for a big, bad, bold world of ugly that is willing to suck them in at anytime. 

And sports…do that. They help US do that for them. If you are blessed enough to be a coach, then it is your responsibility as a role model (whether you are paid or not) to help bring adults into this world who will make this world a better place. 

Sports, in so many ways – help our children become better PEOPLE.

They may never set foot on a college field. They may never bring home the 6 foot trophy, or participate in the Colorado Sparkler. They may never play for the most coveted elite team in your area. They may never start for varsity. They may never hit a ball over the fence. They may be mediocre at best as an athlete. 

But regardless, they are learning lessons in responsibility, self confidence, perseverance, compassion, honesty, integrity, in life! 

Being on team helps them learn how to communicate, how to be accountable to others, shows them how hard work pays off. Commitment.

Being on a team enables them to understand that the WE in life is greater than the ME. (And thank god for that lesson)

Being on a team teaches them how to follow directions, and be a leader. 

Sports teach sacrifice. 

The hard work they put in. The time they commit. The lessons, some amazing and some heartbreaking are only preparing them for what really counts in life. 

They learn how to be a friend. And to choose friends. 

While you are there supporting them, you show them how to support others, and when they are grown and have children of their own, they will remember. They will remember. And they will be better parents, better adults-  because of this time and money and effort you are putting in. 

People…the GOAL here – is to raise adults who will make a difference in this world. Our goal is to raise employees that will be effective and responsible.

Our goal with EVERY DAMN THING we do with our children, our success as parents, is not based on some achievement of theirs in a sports arena – THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU…

THIS IS ABOUT THEM

….but instead on what kind of adults, what kind of friends, what kind of spouses, what kind of daughters and sons, what kind of mothers and fathers, what kind of siblings, what kind of employees, what kind of people they turn out to be. 

That has to be the goal! This has to be the goal. This has to be the goal with every coach, every parent….

These sports…this time, this money, this effort…..they offer us countless opportunities to teach them. And they offer countless opportunities for our children to learn. 

Is it worth it? YES!