We All Could Use Some Humbie Pie

Athletics at Rocky Mount High School have been blessed over the years. This athletic season is coming to a close and Rocky Mount is on the verge of winning the Wachovia Cup as the top athletic program in the Big East conference. This has been a very good year to say the least.

Softball has not had the pleasure of putting up banners or ordering rings from state titles. Softball may have found out quicker than most athletes at RMHS, glory doesn’t shine all the time.

Athletics teaches endurance as much as any thing else. Every play is not a touch down. Every bat does not bring a hit. Endurance is tested when you lose every day. Why am I here? This is not fun! Why do I continue to do this?

Losing is a dose of reality. We as American have been indoctrinated that winning is every thing. Every game that has ever been played there was a winner and there was also a loser. Winning is 50/50 in every game. Victory covers up the mistakes that almost cost you the game while losing exposes them.

Years from now when each of these girls looks back on this softball season they will be proud that they stayed to the end, they endured. Once the season started only one player quit that didn’t finish what they started.

That’s remarkable to think that they didn’t jump ship when it seemed to be sinking. They all went down with the ship. They bailed as hard as they could until the end. They may think this ridiculous now but when they are 50 they will look back with pride that they endured.

Coach Tara McDonald has done a good job of keeping them together as the losses mounted. Talent was lacking but sprit was high till the end. These players have improved. The feeder program coming to Rocky Mount high is poor in training softball players. The Nashville rec league has a much better softball program that Rocky Mounts and it shows.

If you are a 300 hitter and improve you are way ahead of the girl trying to learn how to stand in the batters box. Rocky Mount softball talent problems will not be cured over night.

I hope coach McDonald comes back next year. She deserves a chance to see this program grow. I think she has shown that she has coaching ability to keep this team together.

This team will be able to say they stuck together. Together to the bitter end, because of that their future lives will be better for it.

THEY ENDURED!