I joined the local ladies slo-pitch league in 2000. We had just moved to the neighbourhood the previous summer. I was home on mat leave - still nursing Leah. I'd play ball, run home and feed Leah, or pick her up and bring her to the post-game parties. Lots of fun. I played til 2004, then took a few years off.
My friend Marilyn convinced me to return to the league last year. I was fortunate to be drafted on her team. Marilyn's husband Larry was one of the coaches. The league shuffles the players around the 8 teams every year. It's a great way to meet neighbours and make new friends. By the end of each season, I think that I couldn't possibly play with a nicer bunch of GALS. And each year, I find myself on a team that is equally fun and fabulous.
But, I almost didn't play this season. During last year's playoff tournament, I fumbled a few plays on first and the old insecure Valerie reared her ugly head. I psyched myself out so much that I ended up having a panic attack at the bench. Well, behind the bench out of sight as much as possible - I hope. Poor Larry. He picked me up and dusted me off, but I was scarred. I didn't think that I could play again. Thankfully, my wise and wonderful friend Marilyn convinced me otherwise.
I knew that I needed to keep playing - I needed to challenge myself. Yes, my job and home life certainly did that, but heck, those challenges were always there. I was getting paid for one, and eventually getting some kind of reward for the other (i.e. teenagers growing up and leaving home!!!).
This year's team did not disappoint.
But this year's team was different. They were a little more focused. A little more disciplined. A lot more motivated. I found that a bit intimidating at the start. Isn't this supposed to be a social league? One hour of baseball followed by 2 hours of beer and parties???? Fun, fun, fun with a bit of baseball thrown into the mix right?
As one who is known for her ability to focus - for a max of 90 seconds - I knew that this was going to be even more of a challenge than I had signed up for. I was just glad to be getting back up on the horse. What? I had to ride it too?
What I hadn't bargained for was Charlie. Our coach. He of the 6:00 a.m. game day motivational e-mails. He, who believed in us as individuals and forged us individuals into a team. He who showed me the value of keeping focused on the game and not making grocery lists, or planning birthday parties in my head while waiting my turn on the bench. Every game day he asked us for 75 minutes of determination and focus. I know that I didn't make it for the full 75 minutes, but I did find that the longer I stayed focused, the better I played.
I think that many women who prided themselves on being multi-taskers are now realizing that perhaps being focused in the moment brings much more satisfaction, and a job well done, rather than a job done. At least that's what I'm finding.
(I've probably had other coaches who espoused the same values. No doubt that I just multi-tasking too much to comprehend what they were saying! Right Larry?)
It's been a long time since I have worked for someone who inspired me to greatness. I'm not sure if it is a product of where I work, or the level that I am at in my organization, but the kind of leadership and management that inspires and motivates staff is not valued or encouraged. We all have a job to do and we work to get it done. It's almost seen as a sign of weakness to have staff that "need" to be inspired or motivated. That's not my style, but it sure seems to be the case in my workplace. For the past few years, my only on-the-job motivation is to survive - as I chant "what won't kill me makes me stronger...". What a pleasure to feel empowered.
But I digress...
Our team suffered a lot of set-backs this season. Our pitcher seriously injured her foot in a fall and was out for the season. We juggled and re-jigged the line-up and struggled to get our groove back. By the end of the season we were back to our winning ways, but ended up 4th in the standings.
The baseball season culminates in a playoff weekend. The top two teams that emerge victorious from the double-elimination round robin tournament face each other in a best of three series. This year, my team won all of our tournament games and made it to the finals.
And this week, with focus and determination, we won game 1 (10-9) and game 2 (12-4). And that made us the league champs.
How wonderful to have fun and grow and learn at the same time. I am so very fortunate to have this opportunity. To have one night a week to call my own. Or at least 75 minutes of Valerie-time to give to a team that gives back in kind. And that's why I believe that it is important for everyone to be a part of a team, a league, a volunteer organization. To temporarily step out from the labels that have been (for the most part - lovingly) given to us - mom, wife, colleague - and find another way to contribute, to learn, to grow. To live. In the moment.
And sometimes in return, we find ourselves with another - hard-won, lovingly bestowed and cherished - label. I'm a Champion.
Whodathunkit?
