It’s the holiday of turkey, football (backyard and NFL) and–hopefully–good times with family and friends.
It’s been a crazy year or two but the softball community is as strong as ever and we pray each and every one of you reading this is having a great day and has a lot to be grateful for as we wrap up 2021.
On behalf of everyone at Extra Inning Softball, we wish you a joyous Thanksgiving weekend, a wonderful Christmas/Holiday season and end of the year and an even better 2022!
Here are some of the many expressions of gratefulness we received from several of our friends in the fastpitch community…
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In Canada, Thanksgiving is the second Monday of October, but we still celebrate similarly to Americans. My family and I had a big dinner with turkey and yams and pie and picked apples from our grandparents’ tree. So tomorrow, while all the Americans are celebrating their Thanksgiving, I’ll be in school, then will have a strength and conditioning workout. Afterwards, I will try to catch up on all the homework I’ve missed while being in the U.S for the last three weekends!
I know that I have so much to be thankful for, especially the opportunities I’ve had in softball. I’m so grateful to Georgia Impact, Brett Sampson, and all the connections along the way that have led me to be able to play for Impact. I’m so grateful that God worked it all out, and that I can play the sport I love. In B.C, we have had a crazy year! Between the COVID restrictions, ball being shut down, and some crazy weather (over 300 fires in the mountains during the summer, then huge floods close to where I live), I am thankful that I am safe, and that my family and I have a home to live in. I’m also thankful for family and friends that support me in all I do. I’m grateful for my Canadian travel team (Fraser Valley Fusion), and for Georgia Impact. As well, I’m grateful for my teammates, and all my coaches both here and in the U.S.
— Morgan Reimer, Georgia Impact – Sampson
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Hi, here are some things I’m grateful for!! I am grateful for so many things in my life. Like my family including my mom, dad, sister, brother, my dad’s side of the family who lives in Georgia, and my mom’s side of the family who lives Miami. My family has given me so much support and love throughout my life so that’s why I’m grateful for them. I am also thankful for all of my friends, which leads me to how thankful I am for softball because of all the lifelong friends it has brought me and all the opportunities it has brought me. I’m grateful for my two puppies, Cooper and Koda, who bring me so much joy everyday. Finally, I am thankful for all the coaches I have had throughout my life who have helped me along my softball journey, as well as my future coaches at Tennessee.
— Bella Faw, Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra
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I am beyond thankful for my parents. They provide me with everything I could ever ask for. My parents introduced me to the sport I love the most when I was fairly young. From there I grew the love of pitching. I am also thankful for the rest of my family. They come support me at all of my sporting events. Even if they can’t make it, they watch my softball games on GameChanger. This Thanksgiving the people I am most thankful for will celebrate Thanksgiving with me at my house like we do every year.
— Sydney Rainford, Indiana Gators – Bishop
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I’m thankful for the Beverly Bandits players, parents, families, coaches, PGF and the amazing competition and weather in Huntington Beach.
— Coach Bill Conroy, Beverly Bandits
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It’s so challenging to write about gratitude because when I’m at my best, as a human, I’m grateful for everyday things that are extraordinary blessings, like my family, friends, teammates, coaches & teachers; fresh water; a safe, warm home; nutritious food; an able mind & body; living in the USA & in this day and age where so much is possible for a woman; my faith in and relationship with God and abundance of opportunities (like writing for www.extrainningsoftball.com and playing for Stars National 16u Krupit/Coleman).
However, as an athlete, I’m training to never be satisfied and always push for more. I am learning to reconcile that striving for improvement is not being ungrateful for the blessings in my life. Rather, God has blessed me with opportunity & it is my duty to take advantage of that blessing! I’m thankful to be gaining that wisdom and for my growing confidence in my values and abilities. I’m also thankful for the peace and fulfillment that acknowledging the reasons for gratitude brings to my heart. My cup runneth over. Happy Thanksgiving!
— Sadie Armstrong, Stars National – Krupit/Coleman
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I am thankful for all the friendships I have made through playing softball and also for my family for always supporting me in everything I do.
— Emma McCall, KC Peppers – Wallace
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I am thankful for many things in my life. I am most thankful for my family. My dad who is also my coach pushes me to my best. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. My mom, who cares and doctors me up when I get hurt. My siblings to keep me up on trends and keep me in line. My grandparents who come to my basketball and softball games. My little cousin Ruby is my favorite. She is full of laughter and little jokes. I am also thankful for sports. I don’t know what I would do in my spare time without them.
— Reese Law, Atlanta Premier Elite
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Thanksgiving is a day where we really express what we are grateful for. Even though we should express this type of gratitude everyday, it’s always a good self reminder of the things that are most important in our lives that we may take for granted. I am most grateful for my parents. They have sacrificed so much in order for me to be where I am at today. All the support, all the love, all the hard work, and all the giving that they do goes beyond this world. I could never repay them for all they have done for me but I will always work hard to make them proud. For the young athletes, you may not realize it right now but just know and appreciate everything that your parents do for you, even the little things because later in life you will realize that those little things are what make such a big difference in your life. Happy Thanksgiving and remember there’s always something to be grateful for!! 🤍
— Rachel Cid, infielder, University of Oregon,
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Holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year.. isn’t it for all? Well, I have many things to be thankful for but I’ve been blessed to have four awesome smart wonderful kiddos in Chylie, KK, Charleigh, Cayne. I’m thankful for being part of an organization that legitimately cares about each of his players and growing this sport. Softball brings a lot of special people together and in reality we are all family in this community.
— Coach Charlie Esparza, Hotshots Premier
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This Thanksgiving I am especially thankful for my family and the constant support they give me to do what the Lord has called me to do. This sport has taken us all over the nation and I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything! It’s a family commitment!
— Coach Brittany Lewis, Tennessee Mojo
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I’m grateful for my family and teammates!
— Addie DeLong, Beverly Bandits – Conroy
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Some of the things that I am grateful for this thanksgiving, is being blessed to have the ability to play softball and to have people who support me through it. Another thing I am very grateful for is being fortunate to spend the holidays with my family and attending a Friendsgiving with some of my close teammates and friends. I am just truly grateful for everything in my life that has allowed me to be who I am.
— Townsen Thomas, Texas Blaze United
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This Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of the people in my life who support me and push me to be the best I can be.
— Gracie St. Hilaire, Epic National – Smith
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Holidays have changed for me the last couple years with my daughters being out of the house with work and college but I think the holiday season is special to me because my girls come home & my family for just a short time is together! I am thankful this Thanksgiving for my family and friends. The Epic Fastpitch organization is also something I am thankful for it allows me to be the best me thru the gift of coaching young athletes and watching them grow to have successful contributions in life!
— Coach Scotty Smith, Epic National – Smith
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I am beyond grateful to be able to impact and empower such incredible young woman. I feel blessed to be able to give back to the sport of softball that respectively saved my life. The majority of my team has been together since 1st year 10U. The pride in being a part of their growth and excellence on and off the field has been priceless. The best is yet to come!
— Coach Brandi Macias, Universal Fastpitch
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I’m thankful for all of the opportunities I receive. I am able to go to a good school, play for a great club team, and be parented by good people. I can go as far as I want in life because I am blessed with so much.
— Haylee Monden, KC Peppers – Wallace
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I am so grateful for all of the special people around me! First my parents and brother, obviously couldn’t do it without them and their love! Secondly, my coaches that I’m surrounded by, awesome people, push me to be the best! I want thank my pitching teammates, they are some of the best pitchers in the country! We all love pitching for our teammates and support one another! I’m thankful I have such great pitching teammates!
— Audrey Lowry, Beverly Bandits
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I’m thankful to be alive after having a heart attack in 2018 and surviving the pandemic up to this point. I’m also thankful that I have a family that loves me and is so supportive of my love of softball. I’m thankful for all of the players, coaches, umpires, tournament directors and grounds crews people that I’ve met over the years. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
— Coach Bryan Merrida, All American Sports Academy
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I am so thankful for my father, Michael Danley, he goes above and beyond in helping me chase my dreams. He is my role model, my best friend, and the best coach. He is always there for me no matter the situation and gives me the best advice. I look up to him in everything he does and hope to be half the person he is one day! I love you dad!!
— Ashtyn Danley, Tennessee Mojo – Danley
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I am thankful for so many things but first I am thankful for my parents. They have made so many sacrifices so that I could chase my dreams. They never do anything for themselves. My Dad spends so many hours every day working with me. Our family vacations are always at the ball field in California, Colorado, Oklahoma and anywhere else my team is scheduled to be. They both have always said that their dream is to see mine come true.
I am thankful for my other supportive family. My sister, brother, grandparents, aunts and uncles have all traveled so many miles to watch me play. They are my biggest fans and I could not do it without them. And most of all, I am thankful that God has blessed me with the ability to do what I love and the opportunity for success, not only in the softball but in life.
— Jayden Heavener, Virginia Unity – Johnson/Ross
