Siena Softball - Shannon Jones

What Siena Softball Means to Me:

By: Shannon Jones

Siena Softball became instated in 1976 as a division III program.  Seven years later it escalated up to division I, where it still stands today.  Now 37-years-old, I can assure you, every year has birthed a completely different team. Between the array of uniforms that have evolved to the new team equipment.  Or how about the practice clothes that are received every year and the new players that come and go.  The vast array of personalities that are grouped together year in and year out; it is very different.  

I have only been on the team for 4 years and I can tell you that every year has been a unique experience.  I find myself wearing different socks, maybe a new glove because mine was broken from the previous 50+ games from the season before, new superstitions, a new hairstyle – the list could go on and on.  But most importantly, the new teammates and friends I make changes on me every year, leading to new experiences and memories.  One thing, however, most certainly stays the same; the team’s love for the game.  Every player, from my fellow senior teammate, and myself to the five new freshmen can agree that we play for the love of the game.  The winning will come and go, along with the ups and downs, but the fact that my teammates and I play from the heart and have fun doing it, will always remain the same.

I am very sad to see my career end in about month.  To see the game that I have played and loved for 15 years of my life come to an end scares me.  I am ready for the next chapter of my life and am very excited, but I am also a little choked up in saying so.  Since I was six years old playing T-Ball, I have simply enjoyed playing this game.  My parents met on a softball field, my sister and I fought for championships together; there are just so many memories that I have made playing this game that it is mind-boggling to see it come to an end.  I wasn’t always on the winning end and I can say my dad and I got in some pretty heated fights.  But nothing took away from my excitement to show up to field; whether it was at 7:00 in the morning watching the sunrise while you were warming up or 7:00 at night under the lights.  The feeling you get when you win a game.  It always seems to mean something. You always feel like you won the championship, even though it is the second game of the season.  

This past season, I have learned that there is more to the game than winning.  I have come to learn and respect even more aspects of the game than ever and I think that is what is making this growing up experience much more powerful.  Don’t get me wrong, I would love to win a league championship more than anything in the world but like I said, I have a new appreciation of the sport and a new outlook on why I fell in love with in the first place.  

I would like to introduce you to what I have loved for the past 15 years and what I am going to miss greatly come May.  I hope some of you will agree with what I say or in some part can relate this to something else that you love:

The Equipment:  

Do you remember getting your first glove?  How about your first bat or your first pair of cleats?  I know everyone has a hilariously awkward picture of you while you are posing with a bat in your hands.  I remember being so excited when I got my first glove and got to join my older siblings when they played catch with my parents.  I can honestly say I still LOVE getting new softball equipment.  I love the feeling of breaking in a new glove; drenching it in oil, wrapping it up as much as I can.  I love complaining when the ball won’t stay in the pocket.  It all becomes worth it when you make that diving play in the hole or making the last out of the big game.  

It always seems to feel like Christmas morning when I get a new bat.  The adrenaline I get when I hit with it for the first time and the ball pops off the bat like a rocket.   Not having a new glove to break in or getting to try out a new bat is something that I am going to miss immensely.  I am now forced live vicariously through all the little kids who have the biggest smiles on their faces when they get their new pink glove and tiny aluminum bat.     

  

The Field:  

I have played on my fair share of crappy fields -- The dirt that gives you the raspberry and hurts like heck to dive on.  But I get this special rush of energy when I am playing in a nice stadium!  I love the atmosphere when there is stadium seating, a nice view in the backdrop, perfect dirt and good announcing/music.  I feel like I am playing on Yankee Stadium and that I am someone important.  That I am playing for something bigger than myself and all the fans are cheering for me.  However, no matter how different every field looks, once you step on the diamond – it is the same game.  It is the same foul line, same distance to first base.  I love that every field can be so different but also so much the same. 

The Pain:

  

No one loves to be sore, or playing through a painful injury.  It is not something anyone wishes for.  But any athlete that loves the game does it.  We do it anyway and I can’t tell you why.  I have had many injuries that I have played through that are going to haunt me for the rest of my life because I never let them heal.  But I don’t regret doing it one bit.  Unfortunately, I cannot explain to you why I do it.  Maybe for a sense of pride or responsibility?  I remember last year’s season I played with an injured quad.  I did not want to know the severity of the injury; I simply went to the trainer and made them wrap me so they couldn’t tell me I couldn’t play.  Toward the end of the season I could barely walk out to short stop but I did it anyway.  I knew that my team needed me and I wanted to lead us to a MAAC tournament.  If my team needs me, I am out there playing whether I can walk or not.  Unfortunately we did not make it to the tournament that year, and unfortunately I can still feel where I did not let my quad heal correctly.  So why do we do it?  Why do I enjoy wrapping myself up to tightly to where my limbs are numb or walking around with a leaking bag of ice on my arm?  All I know is that I do not let an injury prevent me from playing.  None of us do; we won’t be cowardly and give in to fact we need rest until we accomplish all our goals.  It is the nature of being an athlete, it is in our blood.  We fight, we compete, and we stay strong.  A good quote to sum it up is one from Mary Lou Retton: “You get self-satisfaction from pushing yourself to the limit, knowing that all the effort is going to pay off.”

The Fans:

  Siena Softball has the best fans a player could ask for.  Particularly, this season, the group of parents and friends that support us is overwhelming.  Some parents of teammates travel over four hours each weekend to see us play.  I remember a particular experience this season in Baltimore when I turned to look at my mom, and there were all the parents…dancing and singing to the music that was blaring at the field.  My mom was right in the center with her “rally cap” on.  I can tell you that I have the best fans and support system in the world.  My parents have been at almost every game and are responsible for the ball player I have become.  My brother and sister have made me tougher (because I am the baby and was picked on!) and have supported me through my successes and failures.  They also like to make me know that I have a lot of failures ;).  The parents of previous players still come to games and support me!  I am truly blessed with my fans and they give me all the more reason to go out there and play!  They give me more than snacks for road trips or the extra water they have in their cooler when I run out.  They give me more than a band-aid when I am bleeding or a napkin when I need to blow my nose.  They give me a sense of pride and accomplishment.  They humble me and help me remember that whether I fail or succeed, they have my back.  They remind me that I am not playing for myself.  I am fighting for all my teammates, the name across my chest and them; my number one support system. 

The Team:  

I stated earlier that every team I have been on has been different, but I can assure you that I have loved them all the same.  Sure I have my favorite teams I have played and some teammates I remain better friends with, but that does not make my experience with the teams any different.  Each year I create new memories on and off the field, I make new friends with the new additions.  It gives me chills trying to go through all the great friends and memories I have made in only my four years here at Siena College.  Each year I watch the seniors graduate and the freshman come in and grow up.  It disappoints me that I am the one leaving now.  No more playing catch phrase on 12 hour bus rides, no more picking on our coach together, no more laughing at my teammate when she falls flat on her face.  It is going to be very different next year to watch all my younger teammates going back to play for a new season and new goal, and I am simply going to be a spectator.  

As a kid you never think that you are ever going to leave your house league recreational team.  You think you will be friends and teammates with them forever.  I am so glad that this is not true.  I am still very good friends with a lot of kids I played with as a child, but the teammates you acquire as you get older leave a lasting mark.  Growing up you can see the enthusiasm get stronger and stronger with each new team.  Then when you get to college, everyone plays with heart and everyone plays with the same passion and the same will to win.  We all shed the same blood, sweat and tears.  This is what makes for sincere team bonding and friendships that last a lifetime.

The Game: 

  I saved the best for last to touch upon; the game.  The rush of adrenaline you get when you step on the field, hear the pregame music and feel your passion to play.  You close your eyes and just know that this is where you love to be.  The game is the fun part.  The practices are where you work hard and put in all the work to perfect those minuet details.  You fight through those extra sprints even though you are secretly shaking your head and want to kill your coaches.  But when it comes to game day, you are allowed to have fun.  You are allowed to play your heart out, leave every emotion on your sleeve and smile.  Whether you succeed or fail, softball (or any sport for that matter) should be enjoyable.  I think athletes lose this thrill and enjoyment sometimes.  I can say that it happens to me; I put too much pressure on myself to be perfect and make every play and be the player my teammates rely on.  Sometime I forget to just enjoy myself and love what I am doing.  But we as athletes need to think back, close our eyes and believe.  Take a step back and remember why we play in the first play… for the love of the game.

After reading this, you may think that I am completely insane that I love a “stupid game” so much.  But we all love different things and mine happens to be softball.  It’s not even the fact that I fell in love with game, but I fell in love with what the game has given me; the ups and downs, the memories, the friends, the glory…All of it.  It has taken up so much of my life that I can’t help but still love it.  I am a child at heart and being forced to grow up stinks!  I am outgrowing the sport that has done so much for me.  It has seen me grow up into the person I am today and to leave it behind seems crazy.  I am sure I will play on some coed, slow pitch teams but that does not seem the same.  That feeling of playing for something that matters with the best teammates in the world, will no longer be there.  It is going to be so different to see everything I have worked for, many of the dreams and goals that I have set come to an end.  Some in which I have accomplished and many that I wish I had another four years to have another try at.  But all good things must come to an end and I come ready to face a new chapter in my life.  I hope to bond with my children as I did with my parents over this game.  I wish everyone the ability to find something they are passionate about and use it to help them grow as a person.  Find something that you love and build on it and just enjoy doing it.  Don’t lose your love and enthusiasm.  I will always have a special place in my heart for softball and will never forgot the immense amounts of opportunities and joy is has given me over the years.