It's about having half-tanned arms and ghost-white legs.
It’s walking by Williams Field on your way to class in January, wondering if the snow will melt in time for the first home game.
It’s about sitting in Chapel praying for the snow to melt in time for the first home game.
It’s about conditioning practices when you wonder if this is in fact what it’s like to die.
It’s about making history and breaking records.
It’s two hour study tables that you may hate, but know deep down are saving your GPA.
It’s about mastering the art of sunflower seed spitting and hair bow tying.
It’s giving back to those who are in much more need than you could ever imagine.
It’s about getting to weights extra early in order to avoid the punishment of even one floor sweep.
It’s sliding into home to score the winning run.
It’s about playing in the freezing cold, cuddling with teammates under a million blankets in the dugout, and only getting up when it’s your turn to be on deck.
It’s about playing in 100-plus degrees, never forgetting to pack sunscreen and an ice chest full of towels and water.
It’s standing on second, stealing the catcher’s signs.
It’s crying with your teammates after the season comes to an end.
It’s pregame rituals, drawing pictures in the dirt with your bat, handshakes with teammates after an out, and forgetting the signs as soon as you step into the batter’s box.
It’s professors who stop you between classes to talk about the game you played the day before.
It’s making absolutely zero plans on weekends because you’re exhausted from five days of practices, weights, conditioning, and classes.
It’s about other students you don’t even know cheering for you at home games.
It’s about thinking you’re good at hitting, and then you meet Coach Juber :)
It’s about playing for what’s on the front of your jersey instead of what’s on the back.
It’s tripping on the grass your first day of wearing metal cleats.
It’s thinking you’re cool when you show 2 outs with your index and pinky fingers instead of the generic way you learned how to do it in kindergarten.
It’s awkward stares from the public when they see you wearing several ice bags on your shoulders, backs, and legs. If they only knew…
It’s coaches who make every practice worth your time and teammates who keep you from getting homesick.
It’s about making the most out of being stuck in a hotel all night.
It’s about hearing your name over the PA system, and walking up to bat with your favorite song playing in the background.
It’s reliving old memories and creating new ones each and every day.
It’s about making sure every action shot of you is tagged on the Athletics Facebook page.
It’s jumping over the chalk lines, putting on the left sock before the right one, and playing catch with the same person the entire season because you’re superstitious.
It’s diving for a ball and actually catching it.
It’s never, ever giving up until the final out is made.
It’s about ending seasons and careers; watching others grieve as you celebrate.
It’s about teammates becoming sisters, and coaches becoming friends.
It’s long bus rides, bad restaurant food, awkward sleeping positions, and bus drivers that you swear don’t have a license.
It’s about thinking you’re a great hitter until you see a rise ball for the first time.
It’s about thinking you’re not that slow until you see a slapper for the first time.
It’s having the NAIA Stats website saved under “Favorites” on your computer.
It’s about making sure every memorable moment is added to “The Book.”
It’s about playing for the “coolest coaching staff in the nation.”
It’s eating at the same place every time as long as you’re winning.
It’s about being proud to wear MNU across your chest.
It’s remembering those who came before you and those who will follow along the path you leave behind.
It’s about always remembering the One who gave you the gift to play in the first place.
It's about looking back on where you once were and where you are now; what you achieved then and what you have yet to accomplish; the girl who picked up a ball for the first time, and the woman who is only months away from hanging up her cleats for good.
2011 SEASON BEGINS FEBRUARY 12TH!!
Love Always,
Taylor #21
Wow Taylor...this even made me cry a little and I am just the "groupie" :) Great job lady, can't wait to snap those pictures you want tagged and watch you girls tear up the season!
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