We’ve all been there at some point in our lives (even the youngest among us). We have a plan, a preferred path we’ve chosen to walk, only to find that for some reason that path is not open to us at this particular point.

At that point we have two options: turn around and go home, or walk an alternative path until we can (maybe) get to the one we want to follow. This is true in life in general, and it’s true in fastpitch softball specifically.

Since this isn’t a life coaching blog, we’re going to look at the softball example. You can apply the advice, however, as you choose.

Let’s take the example of a tryout since high school softball is just getting going in much of the U.S. Perhaps the path you’ve chosen (or desire) is to play on the varsity team, or to play a particular “glamour” position such as pitcher or catcher or shortstop.

But when the tryout results came out you were placed on JV instead. Or maybe you’re on varsity but the coach has already told you that the position you love is already taken by someone he/she thinks is better than you.

(Yes it may also be taken by someone who isn’t better than you but that the coach likes more for some reason, but we’ll set that discussion aside for another day.)

Essentially your path forward is blocked for now. You can get angry about it and walk away. Or you can say to yourself “if that path isn’t open what other options do I have?”

Let’s start with making JV instead of varsity. This may be a blessing in disguise.

Sure your ego takes a hit, especially if some of your travel or rec teammates made varsity. But ask yourself if you would rather sit the bench on varsity, maybe getting 10 innings of playing time total for the season, or you would rather be an every day starter on JV?

(Incidentally, Jay Bolden and I discuss this topic in more detail on next week’s From the Coach’s Mouth podcast. Be sure to check it out.)

While there are some things you can learn by watching games and participating in the varsity practices, you need to be playing regularly in games to keep your skills sharp.. You will probably be better off playing than sitting, even if the team you’re playing on isn’t that great.

And being on that team may also give you a better opportunity to develop other skills such as leadership which will serve you well not only in softball but throughout your life. So take the path that’s been set before you and walk the heck out of it; your time will come, and you’ll be even more ready to seize it.

What about the path to your favorite position being closed right now? In that case, I’d say go where the team needs you to be now, prove yourself, and you’ll be that much more ready for when your preferred path opens again.

Here’s an example. I worked with a terrific catcher a few years ago. She helped take her team to second in State among large schools, and was recruited to a strong D2 school to be their catcher.

When she got there, though, a senior transfer had come in and was given that spot without even the chance to compete for it. So what did she do?

She took advantage of whatever other opportunities were made available to her to get on the field.

It started with being the DH. She did well there, so the coach, recognizing this girl’s athletic ability, decided to try her out in left field to see if she could shore up the defense as well as the offense.

My catcher hadn’t played a lot of outfield, but she had played some, and in this situation she played the heck out of it, diving for balls and using her catcher arm to throw out runners at home. She used the opportunity to prove what type of player she was, and once the senior graduated she was back behind the plate where she wanted to be.

You can do the same. Whether your coach puts you in the outfield, or at second base, or at first base, or simply asks you to DH, give it all you have and do your best to learn that position as quickly as you can.

You never know what might come out of it, and if nothing else at least you’re on the field showing what you can do. Because it’s tough to show what you can do from a seat in the dugout.

Life is full of twists and turns, and you’re not always going to like them. They might even seem scary at times.

But rather than fighting them, if you keep putting one foot in front of the other and make the best of the current situation, good things will happen for you.

Path photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com