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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 264 anonymousDiscussion: Please Forgive My Naivete!
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| Dec. 30, 2014 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | Please Forgive My Naivete! Wow, 2015 is almost here! For us in the South, out first senior tourney is a little over 2 months away. Can't hardly wait! Just wanted to get others' thoughts on something I have mulled over many times over the last 15 years. How important is winning? I have played amateur sports most of my life; most of it has been baseball and softball. Senior softball especially, the last 15 years. Had my share of winning and losing; league championships, trophys, and disappointments over the years. I query about winning and others' attitudes because it puzzles me somewhat that while coaching over 60's I run across players who say that is the only thing that matters. And I can sort of understand it when looking at the Major Plus level, and maybe even the Majors; especially if there is sponsorship involved. Expectations are higher, I get that. Honesty needed here; my senior teams are usually competitive, but we do not win alot and I guess it is a bit frustrating after one season or one year I lose a player because " we are not winning enough" or "I am all about winning". For me, it is doing something that I truly enjoy. It is the friendship and fellowship enjoyed with people I care about and want to be around. It is the exercise and weekend getaways. It is the thrill of competition and walking off the field, win or lose, knowing you did your best. Very important also, is sharing the love of Christ and his blessings. Having almost died in June, 2013, it is also being very thankful that I am still here and will get to walk on the field a few more times. Winning is important for me, but it is not the most important or the only thing. Do others have thoughts? |
| Dec. 30, 2014 Duke Men's 65 908 posts | southpaw, when I was very young, winning was extremely important. If we did not win, then it was not fun. As I have aged some 4 decades later, having fun is first and winning a close second. I enjoy playing softball with the guys on my team, and doing things together off the field or in between games. To put into perspective the second statement that I made, in leagues, I could care less who wins, although, I do try to win. Leagues for me is having a fun time practicing for tournaments. Tournaments at my current age is definitely for fun and good competition, but I really want and care to win tournament games, but that is secondary. After all, you are usually guaranteed 5 games no matter how your team performs in senior tournaments. In my very younger days, you lose 2 games and you were on your way home. BTW, sharing the love of Christ and his blessings, is always the real number one choice. Amen! Andy Smith, R & R Strokers, 60 Major |
| Dec. 30, 2014 Fabe Men's 65 456 posts | How refreshing it is to read a post that encourages n challenges us as players! At times we forget or take for granted the opportunity we have to play this great game. I have been fortunate to be part of a Club (various aged teams), live in all year playing conditions and grew up watching some great players excel this game to what it is today! I have stated "I hate losing more than I love winning", but my perspective is changing!! I am bless to be part of this great game, I hope I can influence the game in a positive way n leave it better than when I started. To all of you who labor throughout the year with all the stuff of softball Big Mahalo, may you experience much joy in 2015 doing what you do…For the rest of us, I pray we have a safe, healthy and bless 2015! Aloha, Fabe |
| Dec. 31, 2014 firestick 34 posts | southpaw; What is the name of your team? Do you play tour. in the midwest? |
| Dec. 31, 2014 jrd231 18 posts | I love what all you guys are saying, however, my first goal is to win. It sure makes things a lot more fun. However, if you lose, leave the loss on the field and enjoy your teammates and friends. Every person on our team will tell you it is more fun when you win, but do not lose sight that we are all so fortunate to even play this great game. Have a great year in 2015! |
| Dec. 31, 2014 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | For me it's being on a competitive team... If I feel my team has a chance to win, I don't mind the losing when it happens... I feel blessed that I'm on a Team that feels like family and has some great ball players on it...And we win our fair share.. I have had the chance to play on paid teams before and have always stuck with a competitive teams with my friends.. hopefully, I will end my career the same way.. Happy New Year! |
| Jan. 1, 2015 Tim Millette 615 posts | In my late 20s for a few years I was all about winning. A teammate of mine..Jeff Peterson who won all world at the utrip World Series and a AA MVP and I used to argue endlessly about the goals of playing softball. I would argue that winning was what made it fun...he would counter...if your having fun your winning. In the end...Jeff, I believe was right.... Since then...my main goal is to be a part of a group that has fun whether we win or lose...and you know what? When you achieve that...the game is fun no matter what. In NorCal we get to play NCSSA....win or lose we all get five games...in ssusa no matter what...we get to play seeding games at at least two bracket games...as long as no surprise that ne gets hurt and we are competitive alls well... Now....the only frustrations I get in softball are when I let my team down....when a teammate fails...all it is, is, another thing to poke fun about... I am fortunate to be part of a Great group of people on our team.. We don't cut players to get better... we play everyone that shows up at the game all season long (except for the double elim of the world) many times our line up starts where the last out the game before ended. Our MTC 55 Jaycee team is great to be a part of. |
| Jan. 1, 2015 Softballer48 Men's 65 30 posts | How lucky are we that at our age we still get to PLAY a GAME; and the added benefit of making friends with so many different people. Yet, I have never met anyone who plays this game "to lose"; winning is just part of the American DNA and God willing we all get to experience it once in awhile. |
| Jan. 1, 2015 southpaw Men's 70 1077 posts | Firestick, we are Strykers, we play in the South, mostly SPA, but we always play Birmingham, SSUSA. I appreciate all your comments and others are still welcome. I think the thing that puzzles me most is when someone goes to a team where the roster is 19-20 players, knowing that playing time is going to be very limited and it is simply to be on a "winning team". It probably sounds stupid, but at my age, I had much rather play all the time on a competitive, but losing team. One never knows when it will be the last game or the last tourney! |
| Jan. 1, 2015 L 85 posts | I have had the pleasure of playing with 3 guys for 14 years and the rest of my old team for 10 years before going to another team with guys that I have played against for those 14 years. My old team was like family and We still have a good time seeing each other and doing things together. My new team is so much like the old one it made me feel good when they offered me the chance to play with them since my old team wanted to stay down. Both teams are very good teams and win more than they lose, but when we lost we hated it, but got over it because we knew there would be another day and we would try it again. We should all feel lucky that we are able to go out and play this game we all love to play at our age and hope that the new players will enjoy the experience like we do in there years to follow. Like some have said when you are young it is all about winning everything but as you get older it is important but the most important is the fact we are able to have great fiends, and we are still able to go out on the diamond and play the game we all love to play. Happy New Year See you on the field |
