An ode to Softball Parents Everywhere...

This is for the parent who sits in the softball stands,
Who shouts out encouragement and lends a helping hand.
Who drives the girls to practice with taxi driver speed,
and catches, and tosses, and fields whenever there’s a need.

Who keeps up with the schedules and juggles them with ease,
With brothers, sisters, friends, and teams ... attempting all to please.
You show your daughter the importance of always playing fair,
And when it's their turn at the plate, you find a softball prayer!

The strikeouts come too often and the balls, they take a toll.
Sometimes you often wonder how to mend their fastpitch soul.
But then you see that one small thing that makes the season great,
And perhaps it isn’t even a big moment at the plate.

Success may not be measured by hits and runs and scores.
Sometimes it may be hard to see, it’s deeper, something more.

Softball teaches teamwork, and depending on your friend,
Softball teaches persistence, and doing your best to the very end.

It teaches in the game of life (without the softball hat),
if you want to hit the proverbial ball, you’ve got to swing the bat.
A strike...a ball...it’s high...it’s low, it really doesn't matter.
She tried and just because she did, she is a super batter!

Sometimes you often wonder why you do it, but you do!
You're tired, worn out, and can't go on, but somehow muddle through.
You've shown her you believe in her... your biggest gift of all.
Self-esteem, the love of the game, friendship...Softball!

You may not get a thank you card or even an award,
No trophies on the mantle or a star upon the board.
But oh, the difference you have made... just by being there,
Showing her your full support and tender loving care.

And when your player's all grown up, she will remember when ... how Mom and Dad were her biggest fans, believing in her then.

For when the dust has settled, and the scores all fade away,
The memories of her biggest fans are in her heart to stay!