It wasn’t until I accidentally started coaching girls soccer (thank you Liz Martin Jones) that realized how special female athletes are…which is why I am so adamant about keeping biological males out of this space. Female athletics is its own thing, it is unique and different from male sports…there is a purity that needs to be cherished and protected…below kind of sums it up, from Montana Fouts of Alabama:
“Dear softball,
Where do I begin?
I don’t know if I’ve ever had the words to express how grateful I am to you.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had you.
You’ve taught me life lessons that I can only learn from you- hard work and sacrifice are well worth it.
To be durable and strong in moments when I felt weak.
How to get knocked down, punched in the gut and be stronger and taller than I was before.
To be appreciative each time I throw my glove on or lace up my cleats.
How to overcome what seem like the worst struggles and failures and turn them into the blessings I now cherish and wouldn’t change.
To be resilient in the face of failure, loss and heartbreak.
To be gracious, appreciate the little things and how to be vulnerable.
You’ve allowed me to find a fire within myself and find a passion within the deepest parts of my heart.
And with that same heart, you have given me a love I never knew I had.
You have blessed me with sisters who I would die for and who I will have forever.
People who will be my forever family, memories that are irreplaceable and time that I only wish I had more of.
You have allowed me to find a place where I can inspire others, that wherever they come from they can do whatever they dream of and more.
Because of you I have felt heartbreak and a weight like no other.
At times I wanted to give up on you, but you never gave up on me.
Because of you I have also felt family, overwhelming joy and love.
You taught me that even in the most perfect of moments that I’m not meant to be perfect, because Jesus is, and how to have faith that will get me through any storm.
While I love you with all my heart, you softball are not who I am, but what I do, and I thank you for teaching me that and loving me along the way.
And for that, softball, you are my blessing.”
Yes, every so many years an athlete comes along that leaves a legacy.
Montana Fouts will tell you that softball has been her blessing.
But to millions, Montana Fouts has been a blessing to softball.
And the sport is better because of it.