Dear Softball by Reganne Camp

Dear softball,

It has been a long, crazy ride.

You have always been with me for as long as I can remember, until you weren't.

At six years old, I picked up a bat for the first time. At 10, I pitched in my first game. Originally, I played third base but as luck, or some say fate, might have it, the other pitchers were sick, and I was needed to fill the role; a role that I didn't know would make a special place in my heart for years to come.

Without any knowledge of mechanics, I took my spot in the circle, a place that has felt like home for better part of the last 10 years; a sanctuary from the outside world. In the circle, I could block out all the outside noise:

[I would never be a pitcher]

[I was too short to pitch]

[My hands were too small]

[I would never play Division l]

[I lost a high school friend and teammate in a car accident]

And if I was in the circle today:

[My joyous collegiate senior season ripped out of my hands by COVID-19]

Softball, the amount of adversity you have helped me get through over the years was tough, but from that adversity came personal growth. For that, I thank you.

Some say you're just a game. But, you and I both know it's so much more than that.

It's about the people you meet, the adversity you face, and the lessons you learn.

When you were taken from me, especially so abruptly, the only word I can think of is devastated. No goodbye, no closure. That chapter of my life was slammed shut in my face with no warning, no explanation and no time to think.

There is no perfect coping mechanism for the situation, but all we can do is reflect positively on everything sports have done for us. Express all your emotions and be thankful for the time that you had. Always be happy for who and what the game has brought your way. It can be taken so suddenly, and then you'll forever lose your chance to really cherish it.

Thinking back to that first time pitching in the yard with my mom, her encouraging me to throw harder with each pitch, those are the times I will choose to remember. I'll remember pitching the ball and giggling, then running back to our makeshift stick mound to throw again; the mound where I thought throwing harder was just me throwing more pitches in a shorter amount of time. So, if you ever got the chance to watch me throw, you now know where my grunt started.

To the teammates that picked up my glove after I forgot it, texted me after a game, good or bad, or was just a friend outside the lines, I'll forever be grateful for you. That is what I choose to take away. The relationships I have created is one of the greatest accomplishments I achieved as an athlete.

It's about the people you meet.

It's about the adversity you face.

It's about the lessons you learn.

The game is a metaphor for life. You want something? You have to work for it, and even sometimes that hard work still isn't enough. Is it going to be easy? Nope. Is it about how you respond to negative events? Every. Single. Time. Are you going to fail? More than once. Will you have regrets? Only if you give up.

Despite all the setbacks, when asked what you mean to me, softball, you were everything.

To the sport I have loved my entire life, and will love for the rest of it, thank you. Nothing will ever impact me as much as you did. Please continue to do the same to others as you did to me, because I would not be half the person I am today without you.

#UnitedAsOne

Much love,
#15 Reganne Camp

Scoreboard

Related News

Players Mentioned

Reganne Camp

Related Videos

Seton Hall University Athletics

Sponsors Slider