My name is Rachel Zona, and I will be going into my eighth year of playing softball. Throughout my experiences, I have learned a lot about working as a team, having a second family, overcoming hardships, and so much more. Learning to work hard, striving for success, and realizing that I am my own motivation, strength, and victories has helped me throughout my everyday experiences.

The first thing that softball taught me was that regardless of what happens away from the field, or school, I have gained a family. Twelve or so sisters that the time we all share practicing, and challenging one another to be even better. Personally, I have played travel softball for the past three years, knowing nobody when joining the team, but by our second game, there were girls I will never forget and know I can reach out to for anything. When working so closely for so long, there is a special type of bond that is formed. Everyone is like family regardless of how close you are in school, or who you hang out with. You have a respect for one another, and you learn to work together, especially when things get hard. Reflecting on this, I have seen that it taught me important characteristics in any relationship with any person.

Sadly, not everything in life goes perfect, but softball teaches young players how to stay strong and versatile when times get tough. Even in the past year or so, there have been many stressful events in my life outside of school, but when I take my first step onto a softball field, all my stress, frustration, or happiness becomes hidden away, creating a motivation to be better. In today’s society, there are certain standards of beauty, or skill, that can negatively impact girls. Though in the softball environment, you don’t have to look or act a  certain way to be accepted. For eight years, I have met shy or quiet girls, those who love humor, extremely outgoing, tall, short, etc. who are able to come together and share one main goal. 

Softball has helped me with school, even though it is a very time-consuming aspect of my life. It has taught me another valuable life skill, which is dedication and how to work hard. In life, almost nothing phenomenal is simply handed to me, I have to work hard, balance my time, and have the drive to keep going. If I had a horrible, hard day, I still had to get myself ready because I had stated commitment to my teammates. 

Mental toughness. That’s the secret.

One must be confident in his/herself and their abilities. One must have the strength to get back up when they’ve been knocked down. To come back stronger after suffering a season-ending injury. To prevent fear from overtaking the success one has within them. Softball is a mental game, which could seem very challenging to many. Ever since I knew college softball played on television, all I did was watch it. I studied the game, and got mental experience for situations. When I got home from school, on vacation, before bed every night, I watched the girls that I aspired to be like, or even better than.  Once I knew the plays, I worked hard at practice, trying to perfect it to the point that if it happened in a live game, I could focus and trust myself to execute it properly. 

I drilled myself with “one-hoppers” because that was my weakness…

Regardless of how much knowledge I had of the game, it doesn’t prevent injuries, which I’ve had my fair share of. For the majority of my athletic career, I’ve experienced issues with my knee. Starting at tendonitis and ending at a chondromalacia patella