Happy Thanksgiving! From Our Editorial Staff at Extra Inning Softball…

What does Thanksgiving mean to you, our Extra Inning softball family?

Is it a time to catch your breath or is just another day of pushing yourself to the limits?

Do we really take a moment to reflect on what we are blessed with to have in our lives and feel grateful for the good—and sometimes the bad—meaning the challenges or obstacles we have which force us to grow?

Did you know that the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday dates back to George Washington’s presidency in 1789 (meaning the idea of having a day of thanks is, in essence, 234 years old!)?

*** Click HERE to read about the history of the holiday…

We in Extra Inning Softball’s editorial department are grateful for how we get to interact with you—the players, coaches, family members and fans—on a daily basis.

Here are some of our thoughts for Thanksgiving 2023 under the category of What I’m Thankful For…

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From Brentt Eads, President & Executive Editor

Let me begin with a somber and painful story.

Recently, I attended the funeral of a 16-year-old young man who was a friend of my two sons. No parent should ever have to bury a child, and this was a truly heartbreaking experience as I witnessed the parents and two sisters stand at the casket and say goodbye to their beloved son and brother.

I tear up just thinking about it now.

What really has touched me, though, is the gratitude that this young man’s family has expressed for the time they were able to spend with him. I can think of nothing more painful in life but this family’s attitude of gratitude for their blessings—what they have had and what they do have now, especially each other—has made me reflect on my life and how I approach it.

It’s been a painful year for me personally as I’ve had some significant losses, but with tough times also comes growth and progress. Certainly, it brings on much-needed humility and self-reflection.

I’ve been forced to look at how I approach things… my perspective on the good times and the not so good. Going back to the funeral of this teenager, the experience has forced me to stop in my tracks and look at everyone and everything in a different light… one of appreciation.

I am so grateful for the job I have and how rewarding it is to work with such talented and fun people in our ever-growing fastpitch world.

I’ve been blessed to work with Extra Inning Softball’s family of talented folks too including our hard-working CEO Bonnie Holland as well as our stellar editorial team of Roger McAfee, Regan Weekly and our team of freelance writers.

On a personal note, my five children live in Northern California, Southern California, Texas, Arizona and Idaho so our get-togethers are few and far between, but I love them more than words could ever express.

I’m so, so appreciative of those in my inner circle—which includes many of you in the softball family—who’ve been there for me when needed, sometimes something as simple as asking “Hi, how are you doing?”

I’ve been touched to learn how wonderful and supportive people can be.

My final words are these: love each other and express it now. Don’t wait… make it a priority to show those around you how much you care and recognize their efforts to make YOUR life better. And enjoy the good times and learn from the bad ones. There is a bright future for all of us, if we can just learn to see it—and appreciate it—as it’s happening all around us.

From our family to yours… Happy Thankgiving.

— Brentt

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From Roger McAfee, Managing Editor

Note: the excerpts below are from Roger’s published article yesterday (Nov. 22, 2023) titled Grateful for the Opportunity to Share Powerful and Inspiring Stories in which he shares some of his favorite articles he’s written at EIS.

I could write the obligatory story of what I’m thankful for.

If left to my own devices, that would be queso, Peyton Manning, peanut butter, teacher’s pet, Red Vines, blue crabs and turkey sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving.

Not much of a read.

But in reality, what I’m thankful for is having a platform to share powerful and poignant stories about the people who play the game of softball.

There is a level of trust that goes into telling a story. The person who shares the story trusts that the writer will represent them in the best possible light, while the writer has an obligation to deliver on that trust while also producing an informative article for the readers.

That responsibility, and the pressure that goes along with that, is something I take very seriously.

In my short time at Extra Inning Softball I’ve been lucky enough to be able to tell stories of heartbreak, of courage, of empowerment and of love.

I’m incredibly thankful to have been able to share (these) stories.

— Roger

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From Regan Weekly, Assisting Editor and Rankings Coordinator

This Thanksgiving, I am celebrating my large, loving family who welcome home with loving arms each time I return to my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.

I am thankful for my mother, Cheryl Weekly, who continuously teaches me every day how to be a better person and deal with the challenges life throws my way, and my father and lifelong coach, Marc Weekly, who has held my hand through every chapter of life.

Additionally, this year, I’m especially grateful for thrift stores, acts of kindness, sweet tea, and sunny days.

— Regan

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