Our 2004 softball season was one of the best softball years Taylor has ever played. We may not have won state, but we had fun trying. If it weren't for the practices, the games, and definitely the players, we wouldn't have made it as far as we did.
             You always hear practice makes perfect, which isn't necessarily true, but it does help. There are two kinds of practices: Practicing as an individual and practicing as a team. When you practice by yourself you are making yourself better. Pushing yourself and doing what you coach says helps you. For instance hitting 20 pitches and not stopping on 15 is pushing yourself. Practicing as a team requires every players help. Without one the team would crumble. It helps you get ready for games. You wouldn't be able to turn that spectacular double play if you didn't practice it. Practice helped us go as far as we did.
             Games are very important, whether it's winning or losing. Winning means something different to everyone. To us it's not just about rings and trophies. It's about loving the game so much that you keep coming back to compete day-after-day, throughout your life. You feel great after beating that undefeated team or maybe having a winning streak. Then there are the times you lose. You feel miserable after a game wishing you had played better. There are also the games you lose but mean a lot to you and your team, like losing to the best team in Class 2A softball 0 to 1. You don't feel bad because you hung with them. Losing in the state semi-finals is a different story. You feel awful, but know you played your hardest.
             What would you do without players? If you didn't have any, you wouldn't play to begin with. Being a player is a responsibility. It isn't just playing a part of the field or batting, it's boosting other's confidence when they are down and cheering on an outrageous play or when a teammate slides safely...