*** STORY TIME for Mr./Mrs. Anonymous***
Once upon a time in a small town in a sports-crazy nation, there lived a group of girls who loved playing fastpitch softball. They formed a team called the “Dreamcatchers” and were known for their skills and teamwork.
This story is dedicated to you, Anonymous, as it highlights the passion and commitment of young athletes.
This story is dedicated to you, Anonymous, as it highlights the passion and commitment of young athletes. Anonymous is a reminder of the dedication and dreams that all athletes possess.
In the same country was a sports media company, Extra Inning Softball, known in part for its Extra Elite 100 rankings. Their rankings were highly regarded and served as a resource for coaches, scouts, and players alike to know who was thought to be the top players in each high school graduating class.
One day, someone at Extra Inning Softball made a mistake: some deserving players were left out of the ratings and some were also ranked lower than expected.
The parents and players affected by this mistake were understandably disappointed and upset. They felt that their athlete’s hard work and dedication had been overlooked. The head of the rankings process quickly realized the error and issued a public apology, acknowledging and promising to rectify the situation.
Despite efforts to make amends, accusatory emails and distasteful comments began to pour in. Some parents even claimed that their children’s mental health was being impacted and that their players were emotionally falling apart because of this content-based mistake.
Meanwhile, the Extra Inning Softball CEO sat beside her son’s bed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a local hospital. While this struggling young man slept, she opened her laptop to get some work done and was disappointed to read all the negative comments and emails directed at those working to recognize and honor these dedicated athletes….and it saddened her.
As a mother, she understood the disappointment that can come with not achieving a desired outcome, but she also knew the importance of teaching children how to handle setbacks and disappointments.
At that moment, she decided to share a story with those parents who were being critical.
She encouraged them to focus on strengthening their children and helping them learn valuable life lessons. She believed that it was essential to show children that life doesn’t always go as planned, and things may seem unfair at times.
In challenging times, we must remember the lessons learned from even the most difficult experiences, Anonymous. Life’s trials prepare us for future success.
That, during these moments, one can truly demonstrate good sportsmanship and resilience.
The mother reminded them that disappointment is a part of life, but it’s through these experiences that children can learn to navigate challenges and grow as individuals.
She encouraged the parents to support their children, teach them how to handle disappointment with grace, and not try to fix all their problems for that is where true growth will come.
So, join us, Anonymous, and let’s build a community that supports every athlete, regardless of rankings.
*** STORY PAUSED***
If you haven’t figured it out yet, that “mother” is me and, as I am writing this to you, I’m doing so from the ICU unit while my child is fighting for his life.
While sitting here today next to my struggling child, I received a nasty email from an anonymous sender.
*****
I urge parents to empower their children to face adversity head-on and learn valuable life lessons from it and hope this article will resonate with many parents who have become caught up in the rankings and equating it with the value of who they and/or their children are.
Through understanding and support, we can show every child that the journey matters more than rankings, Anonymous.
Parents: please realize that the focus should be on nurturing your children’s character, resilience, and love for the game as well as their lives off the field over believing this editorial content validates or invalidates who the young person is. Sadly, this was not the only negative, attacking, and threatening email we’ve received. There have been many.
*** THE END OF THE STORY (In A Dream World) ***
In a dream world, Anonymous, we all recognize the value of encouragement over competition.
Slowly, the negative comments and accusatory emails began to fade away.
As the world changed, it became clear that the spirit of Anonymous lived on in every player.
From that day forward, Extra Inning Softball continued to produce its rankings, but they also made a commitment to learn from their mistakes and ensure fairness and accuracy in their evaluations as much as possible.
They worked closely with coaches, players, and experts in the field to create a more comprehensive and reliable ranking system.
The Dreamcatchers softball squad continued to play its hearts out, knowing that its value as athletes (and people) extended far beyond any rankings and even far beyond the playing fields.
These youth learned to embrace both victories and defeats, understand that each experience—positive or negative, happy, or sad—shaped them into better players and, most importantly, better people.
*** EPILOGUE ***
Let’s not forget the lessons we learn from adversity, Anonymous, as they shape who we become.
Moms and Dads: hug your children tonight, tell them you love them and be thankful they are safe in their beds tonight.
Don’t ever do anything that would cause them to doubt your love… including expressing disappointment in them for not being as accomplished, successful or, yes, even ranked in the way you want them to be.
As we reflect on these experiences, let’s cherish every moment, Anonymous.
Ultimately, Anonymous reminds us to focus on love and support rather than expectations.
So, thank you to my anonymous friend who reminded once again of what is truly important in life.
Thank you, Anonymous, for being a part of this journey and reminding us what truly matters.
Bonnie Holland/CEO
Extra Inning Softball
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