What I’d Tell the Girl Who’s About to Hang It Up

To the girl staring at her glove on the shelf…

To the one dreading another weekend tournament, not because she hates softball, but because it just doesn’t feel the same anymore…

To the player who’s exhausted, burnt out, unsure if it’s time to walk away…

This is what I’d tell you:

You’re not weak. You’re not dramatic. You’re not ungrateful.

You’re evolving.

And sometimes, when the fire dims, it’s not the end of your passion—it’s the beginning of a new way to live it out.

I know, because I’ve been you.

I know what it’s like to feel guilty for not loving the game the way you used to.

To feel torn between “keep pushing” and “what if I’m just done?”

To fear disappointing your parents, your team… and mostly, yourself.

But I’ll tell you this:

If you’re asking those questions, it means you care.

It means you’ve loved this game.

And it means you deserve to leave it—or stay with it—with peace, not pressure.

So whether you lace up for another season or hang your cleats for the last time, do it with your head high.

Because no one gets to decide when your story ends but you.

And even then?

Your story isn’t over. It’s just getting rewritten.

If you’ve been at this crossroads before—or you’re there now—what helped you through it? Your story might be exactly what another athlete needs to hear.

Blog post 10: Big Sister Energy Hits Different.

Ava is one of my sweethearts from up north—one of my Next Level Academy pitchers—and let me tell you, this girl is a dream to coach.

She’s consistent. She’s focused. She’s always training. Her growth over this past year has been tremendous, and I love every single session we get to work together.

And now? Her little sister wants in.

Yep—baby sis has been watching from the sidelines, soaking it all in. She’s officially ready to step into the circle, and she’ll be joining my Prodigy Pitching Academy soon. But before we even start, I told her:

“You’ve gotta let big sis teach you the ropes first.”

Because here’s the thing—little sisters are always watching.

They’re learning when you don’t even realize it.

And they will pick things up faster than you think. (Sorry older sisters—but they’re coming for ya!)

I’ve seen it firsthand with my Maryland trio—three sisters, three ballers, one incredible family. Watching the oldest teach the middle, and the middle teach the youngest? Pure magic. They cheer each other on. They coach each other up. They compete. And they all win because of it.

When older sisters step into a leadership role, something special happens. They start becoming better athletes, better teammates, better humans. Teaching forces you to slow down, think deeper, and communicate clearly—which actually helps you improve just as much as the one you’re helping.

So if you’ve got a little sister who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Teach her.

Even if it’s messy.

Even if it’s awkward.

Even if you feel like you’re still figuring things out yourself.

She doesn’t need you to be perfect—she just needs you to lead.

This is how bonds are built.

This is how legacies start.

This is how the next generation of pitchers level up.

And believe me—those little sisters? They’re gonna be dangerous.

Because they’ve been learning by example all along.

Tag a sister duo that needs to hear this.

Or better yet—share it with your own little sis.

The next big thing in softball… might just be sleeping down the hall.