“It Ain’t About the Leaving, It’s in What You Leave Behind”… Grace White’s Reaction to Ending Her Softball Career and Receiving Her Degree from Union University

Grace White is a college senior who played first base for Union University, a DII school in Jackson, Tennessee, and majored in Journalism. She has been the Sports Editor for the Cardinal & Cream, the school’s student publication, and has a younger sister who plays in the Virginia Unity club organization.

In today’s Inside Pitch, Grace details the final games of her senior year, a highlight she’ll remember always (including a dance to go with it!) and her graduation where her father presented her with a special surprise.

Here’s more from Grace as she closes one chapter of her life and looks forward to the next one…

*****

On the morning of May 4^th, I played my last softball game ever. My team and I were in Oxford, Ala., at the Gulf South Conference Tournament facing elimination against the Montevallo Falcons after having been beaten the day before by the Mississippi College Choctaws.

Going into our game against Mississippi College, I was hoping that we would beat them the way we had in the first game of our series against them in the regular season. However, it just wasn’t meant to be even after we made a valiant effort to come back down 3-0 when my fellow senior Idalia Alarcon and I hit back-to-back home runs.

I can’t begin to tell you how exciting that was. I felt like I was back in high school again battling our district rival for the district championship. I jumped and yelled going down the third baseline and finished my celebration off with a Griddy (dance) that one of my teammates jokingly said earned the Griddy of the Year Award!

Ultimately, we lost 5-3, meaning we had to beat Montevallo if we wanted a shot at advancing in the tournament.

When our matchup against the Falcons began, I was extremely confident that we were going to win. However, by the time I came up in the bottom of the 4^th inning for my second at bat, I knew that it was pretty much over. We were down 7-0 at the time, so if Montevallo scored one more in the top of the 5^th and kept us from scoring in our final six outs, then we would be run ruled.

During my whole at bat, I prayed so hard. I wanted to slow everything down and savor every moment. One of the goals that I had set for myself about halfway through season was to finish my college career with a batting average of .300 or more. Going into that at-bat, I knew I needed a hit to reach my goal. In between pitches and even in the batter’s box, I prayed, “Let Your will be done. May I find favor in Your eyes.” The outcome was in God’s hand.

After I fouled off a pitch, resulting in a 2-2 count, the pitcher threw me a changeup. I poked it high in the air into shallow right field. As I ran down the line, I saw it hit the ground. Relief and joy flooded over me because I knew that I had met my goal, but in that same moment, I also felt sadness because I knew that it could very well be the last time I would ever get a base hit and get to touch first base.

Montevallo scored a run in the top of the 5^th inning, so we were down to our last three outs in the bottom of the inning. I stood on the bench trying to cheer as I choked back the tears that were already coming. I hadn’t expected to cry because I knew I was ready to move on, but when the final out was made, there was no stopping the waterworks.

I unlaced my cleats slowly and tried to let the impact of what was happening soak in. My Daddy was waiting for me outside the dugout. I gave him a hug for the first time as a retired athlete. I was kind of surprised that he didn’t cry, but I guess he was being strong for me.

Two days later, after ending my softball career, I walked across the stage and received my diploma, signaling the beginning of my life in the real world. After the ceremony, I was greeted by my family and friends. They were all so excited for me, especially my Daddy. He handed me a wad of Walmart sacks with something inside. As I opened them, I could tell it was a softball. I immediately knew which one it was.

“This is the home run ball I hit at the conference tournament, isn’t it?” I asked.

“Yep.” He was smiling so big. He knew how much that swing meant to me, and the fact that he not only saved the ball but also waited to give it to me until that moment made it even more special.

I felt a lot of emotions from May 4^th through May 6^th and the days surrounding them. Recently, I heard a line in a song that I think encapsulates the end of this phase of my life. In his album “Gettin’ Old,” Luke Combs included the track “My Song Will Never Die.” It says, “It ain’t about the leaving, it’s in what you leave behind.”

Sure, I had a successful softball career, and I graduated with a degree in a field that I love. However, these things aren’t as important as the impact that I’ve made on those around me. Was I a good teammate and friend? Did I show them what it means to work hard and to enjoy every second? Most importantly, did I shine the light of Jesus for everyone to see?

If I could say yes to all those things but finished my career batting .200 and flunking every course I took, I think my life would still be meaningful because the purpose in living isn’t about my success. It’s about so much more. I hope this encourages everyone not to dwell on the successes or failures of your endeavors but instead to try to make a positive impact on those around you and show them Jesus’ love because life is about so much more than averages and diplomas.

As I enter this next phase of my life, I’m excited to see the impact I’m going to get to make on others and the influence that they are going to get to have on me. Here’s to entering the big girl world!

— Grace White, Extra Inning Softball correspondent

Check out our other EIS links:

Find us on Instagram ~~~ Find us on Twitter ~~~ Find us on Facebook
EIS Online Store ~~~ Sign up for our Newsletter ~~~ Check out our Team Subscriptions
Check out our latest Podcasts ~~~ Advertise with Us! Check out our Rate Card