The Softball Discourse
Softball is a Discourse that specifically pitches the ball underhand, strongly values open communication between teammates as well as coaches and teammates. It is also a Discourse that values a healthy well-being. Another important characteristic of the softball Discourse, is for the players to be driven and dedicated to the game.
What is Softball?
If one is not accustomed to the sport softball, it is very similar to the sport baseball. It is played with a bat and ball and the two teams take turn batting and fielding. However, The sport of softball is unique in the ways that it is played, and what it values. The field dimensions, ball size, and pitching styles are different in baseball than in softball.
In softball, it is made significant that the ball is pitched underhand, rather than overhand.
According to the 2016 NSA rulebook, “A legal delivery is one in which the ball is delivered to the batter with an underhand motion” (109).
If the ball is not pitched underhand, then the sport played cannot be named as softball.
One of Gee’s building tasks is significance, and it states “for many things, we need to use language to render them[things in life] significant or to lessen their significance, to signal to others how we view their significance” (32).
Through the use of language, a particular thing can be considered as being important or not important. The NSA rulebook is using language to deem underhand pitching significant in softball. The rulebook’s choice of words show what is considered to be legal and allowed in the softball Discourse. If pitching the ball was not done underhand, then the Discourse cannot be softball. Softball is one of the only Discourses that values underhand pitching.
The softball Discourse is one that is extremely social and collaborative and one that strongly values communication.
The Discourse includes the players, coaches, and fans. All of the players, coaches, and fans share a relationship with one another.
In order for the relationship to be positive and healthy there needs to be communication.
One of Gee’s building tasks is relationships. In the “Building Tasks” chapter,
Gee explains, “We use language to signal what sort of relationship we have, want to have, with… people, groups, or institutions about whom we are communicating” (34).
Gee is stating that within Discourses, the use of language establishes relationships. It is also essential for the relationship established by communication to be positive.
The communication between players, and the communication between coaches and players are different from one another.
Typically in softball:
The relationship between the coach and the player is more formal and authoritative, on the coaches’ part. The relationship between teammates is more intimate and informal.
Specifically between teammates, communication allows for the large group of people to have strengthened bonds to help together to work as one.
According to Texas A&M pitcher, Amanda Scarborough, “Communication on the actual playing field is critical to our game, or someone could get hurt. However, “hurt” can be more than just physical injuries. It is important to remember that this communication [between teammates] is two-sided; as a player you are learning not only how to speak to someone, but also how to TAKE IN what someone is trying to tell you.”
The communication between teammates is more mutual, both teammates affect one another equally, whereas the communication between the coach and player carries more weight. With so many people involved in the softball Discourse, communication helps organize everything to ensure safety, as well as helps the team become united and connected. In mainly all sports, not just softball, communication aids in a positive and strong relationship between the teammates as well as the coaches.
Softball is a Discourse that values a healthy body and well-being
If you have watched a softball game, you will quickly notice that every action that is involved in the game is a vigorous action. Throwing, hitting, running, quick lateral movements and jumping, are some of the explosive actions that you will witness. All activity performed in softball needs to be done by a healthy body.
According to softball performance, one can increase their health, and overall well-being “with the right kind of nutrition together with the adequate softball game exposure”.
Eating the correct food as well as getting sufficient amount of physical activity can aid one in achieving a healthy body.
Another one of Gee’s building task is politics(the distribution of social goods).
Gee explains, “Social goods are potentially at stake any time we speak or write in a way that states or implies that something or someone is “adequate,” “normal,” “good,” or “acceptable” (or opposite) in some fashion important to some group in society…” (34).
Gee is saying that through specific language in a particular Discourse, it can be shown what is “good” or valuable in that Discourse. The social good in softball is a healthy body. The quote provided by softball performance over receiving the right nutrition and getting enough exercise, is providing the social good and value of those things in the softball Discourse.
The correct amount of physical activity while eating a nutritious diet will help one achieve a desired healthy body in the softball Discourse.
What’s an Important Identity in Softball?
An important identity in the softball Discourse is be dedicated and driven to work hard.
As long as you can hit, catch, and throw a softball, as well be driven and dedicated to practicing you can play softball.
All levels of softball share a love and passion for the game. Just like anything in the world, in order to be good at something you’ll have to practice it. Softball is a Discourse that bases its fundamentals on practice.
Coach Marc from softball performance reveals, “There is no shortcut. There is no way around it. You must put in the time, the effort and make the sacrifices to become an elite softball player”.
What Marc is saying is 100% accurate. Marc’s words are directed to softball players that are all levels, not just at the elite level.In order to be skilled at softball, you will have to dedicate some time and put in effort to trying to improve.
Gee states, “We use language to get recognized as taking on a certain identity or role, that is, to build an identity” (33).
Language and words can be used to establish an identity in a Discourse. Marc’s words establish the identity of the players in the softball Discourse to be dedicated and hardworking. Members of the softball Discourse have the characteristics of being dedicated and driven to work on and improve their skills on the playing field.
The Big Picture
Softball is a Discourse that:
•Specifically pitches the ball underhand. It is made significant that the ball is pitched underhand.
•Strongly values open communication between teammates as well as coaches and teammates.
•Values a healthy body and well-being.
•And who’s players hold the identity of being driven and dedicated to the game.
Many of the aspects of softball are similar to those of a broader Discourse, sports, such as, how the relationships work between the teammates and the coaches and players.