With My Cleats On
Size. It is something that the world of athletics has placed emphasis on. If a college scout walks up to a field, the first player they spot is the athlete who is six feet tall, towering over the rest of their team. Or the athlete who weighs nearly two hundred pounds, evidently possessing some natural power. Potential, they call it.
I am five feet three inches tall, and one hundred and thirty-five pounds. Not the most intimidating physical presence to say the least. It required a lot of extra effort for me to catch the attention of college coaches during my recruiting journey. I worked hard to ensure I always had the most impressive academics out of anyone around me, I practiced five to six days a week because I refused to be left behind due to the disadvantage of my size, and I emailed coaches constantly expressing my interest in playing softball as a collegiate athlete. The reality is offers do not simply appear on the majority of athletes doorsteps.
When I was fifteen, I was trying out for a competitive softball team. I was pitching my heart out with eyes set on a spot on this 18u team. Towards the end of the try out, the coach called me over and wanted to speak with me. She asked me how tall I was. I was a little taken aback. Had she not been paying attention to my performance? However, I did not hesitate in my response, and determined to impress I said…
“5'4 with my cleats on.”
I remember her chuckling at my response. Clever. And I also remember not making that team.
It did not take me long to notice the negative feedback I experienced due to my lack in size. But I was quick to swim against the current and fight against the thing I could not control that had the potential to drag me down. I made the decision to focus on the things I could control such as my attitude and my effort. Every time I step onto the softball field I put in 110%, because that is what is necessary for me to compete. I do not have the luxury of slacking off, because there is no mass to make up for it. I make the most of what I have. Every ounce of me, is driven into each pitch to achieve maximum power and movement.

This is the effort I challenge all of my fellow athletes to have. Those who are gifted with size, do not take it for granted. It is an incredible opportunity to excel as an athlete. And for those who were not so lucky, make up for what is missing in size with extra work. I had a choice to go all in, or be left in the dust, and I have not just become a better athlete, but a better all around person for it. Giving 110% towards your passion bleeds into many other aspects of your life. The improvements you begin to see as an athlete will also be mirrored as far as personal relationships and academics go, and even the people around you will pick up on it and begin to put in as much effort as you. Just remember to make the most of what you have got! Effort has the potential to be larger than size itself.
