SENIOR SOFTBALL IS MORE THAN A GAME

There is so much more to the game besides winning and losing. Don’t get me wrong, winning is most rewarding and losing is very difficult. Winning I remember forever, and losing I tend to forget over time. The feelings we share playing the game, especially now as seniors, keep us motivated to continue to improve even as age and health robs us of what we were back when. Why is that?

We always want to do our best and be at our best for self-satisfaction and for our teammates. We look forward to the positives, high fives, fist pumps and other forms of recognition that happen on the spot and after. I have received more positives from my teammates after an important hit or fielding play than I could get saving a company a hundred thousand dollars. Remember Monty Python, Life of Brian, “Always look on the bright side of life”. All players on the field are supportive and positive in their approach to other teams and most players. As much as we want to win and the other team to lose, all players are worthy of positives for plays well done.

A business theorem says it takes 40 positive customer experiences to make up for a single bad review. The reverse is more true in softball. One positive response far outweighs a negative experience. By human nature, we capture the positives and let go the negatives. Why, I don’t know, but I can recall many positives and have blocked out many negatives.

It is a good feeling to be on the plus side of life. We want the best equipment – bats, gloves, shoes, etc. – to have an advantage and be at our best. Why do we look at our glove after not making a play or our bat after not getting a solid hit? We don’t want anything to limit our success on the field.

I grew up having baseball and football heroes, wishing I could share and feel what they have, to be like them. I never came close. Softball games, especially tournament play, are the closest I will ever get. When it does happen, I am on cloud nine. I can never get enough of that feeling. I cherish the opportunities to be one of the heroes and to produce for our team. I admit it is addictive, but it feels so good.