1. Do it for your team not yourself– As they say there is no “I” in team. You can’t win a ball game with one person so you have to rely on your team and coaches to push you to do the best you can.

2. Learn to take advice from other teammates– Constructive criticism is very helpful, but you have to allow your teammates and coaches correct you to succeed. If you do hear them out, you also have to focus on making your weakness stronger. To become stronger in every aspect of the game, you have to give 110% effort every second of every practice.

3. Always work for your spot, it is never guaranteed– Every practice and every game is a coin toss you need to work your hardest and push yourself to do your best. You practice like you play so you have to put all your effort into your game even in practice. Your “spot” on the field has to be earned with hard work and determination.

4. Have a strong mental game– You could be the best ball player in the world, but if you cannot keep your head in the game you might as well be a mediocre player. Your mental game has to do with all of the aspects of playing softball. If you strike out or miss a ball you have to come back stronger than before and not make another mistake.

5. Sportsmanship is key– Nobody likes a sore loser or even worse a sore winner. No matter the outcome you have to be respectful to the other team, shake their hands, and tell them good game. Along with players, you should have sportsmanship to the umpires and respect the calls they make. It makes your softball program and your coaches look better if you are kind to everyone involved in the game.

Playing the game requires a lot of hard work and love for softball. There are many ways a good team can become great and a great team can become even better. The advice stated above are just a few ways to improve your team as a whole.