Ride the Wave, Love the Challenge

Softball is the wildest sport ever created. Prime example: Team McCleney last week at Athletes Unlimited. On Saturday, our team put on an absolute offensive clinic. We set a record for most runs scored in a game, a final score of 20-5 and win for us. TWENTY RUNS.

Then, on Sunday, we had one hit as a team. ONE. Zero runs.

In what other sport does that happen? In what other sport do things change that quickly and that drastically? It's just ours. We can hate it, complain about it, be frustrated about it, or we can lean into the challenge of being consistent in an inconsistent game. I choose the latter.

We have to look at our sport through the lens of a scientist, through the lens of an artist. It's trial and error. It's an experiment. There is never going to be a perfect formula or secret recipe to batting 1.000 and winning every game. And if you ever think you're on top of the world in this game... be very cautious going into your next one because this game never lets any individual be better than it.

So how do you lean into the inconsistency?

1. Embrace Challenges. Don't run from the bad at bat, don't run from the bad games. Lean in and learn about what you can do to improve and grow. Again, every game is like a science experiment. Approach things objectively and break it down. What worked and what didn't?

2. Accept the ebbs and flows. Ups and downs are a part of our game that you will waste time and energy trying to escape. Good games happen, bad games happen. Accept it, don't fight it. All we are responsible for is putting our best effort out every day. The results will take care of themselves.

3. Be where your feet are. This is just a fancy way of staying present. After every at bat I like to tell myself "So what, next pitch." Good or bad, I'm ready for what's going to come.

Softball is amazing. It's also brutal. Love it just the same no matter how she treats you that day.

--Halo