This year, my daughter is participating in organized softball for the first time ever.
Previously, her experience was limited to a few sessions in the backyard or a local park, and the one “season” of “T-ball” she played at our last stop. By “season” I mean three games (the fourth was rained out and never made up), and by “T-ball,” I mean 20 kids scattered around the infield while a kid hits a tennis ball off of a batting tee.
Some of the kids on her team are also playing for the first time, but several of them have at least a year of experience under their belts. It’s been a little discouraging at times for my daughter, I can tell.
But, before her first game, I gave her one very important piece of advice: “I don’t care if you throw the hardest or hit the farthest. I just want you to do your best and have fun.”
Of course, winning is fun, but I’ve seen my own fair share of losing, too. I’m pretty sure I learned more from losing than I ever did from winning. The same is definitely true of sports.
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If you’re reading this, thank a teacher. If you’re reading it in English, thank a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.