Megan Bids Farewell

“But it's life that the game is all about, because every game is like life, and life is like every game, except that life is deadly serious. But what you do with the serious ones is like any game— you do your best. You take what comes and you run with it. Winning is fun, sure, but winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never letting anyone down is the point. Always play to be a champion, win or lose. Because it's not winning the game that counts—it's trying to be your best that does.” We all know that this is more than just a game. Its about camaraderie and teamwork; it’s about practices and late bus rides. Broken fingers, busted up knees. It’s that feeling when you make the game winning play, and when you miss it. It’s the feeling when your teammate makes that play. It’s a feeling. You can feel it when you strike out and when you get a hit. You can feel it when you’re so excited you can’t help but scream until you have no voice. It’s in the tears you just can’t fight any more. It’s in the first inning and it is in the last. There is nothing I love more than this game. Nothing else matters when I step on this field. To all of the people that have taken the field with, it was an honor. There is no one else I would have wanted to play with more. Mom and Dad, this is for you. Dad, I bet that day, so long ago, when I asked if I could borrow your glove because I wanted to try out for softball, you never thought I would get this far. Well I did it. There is no way I could thank you enough for all that you have done for me. Countless fishing hours after work to watch my games, just think of all those fish you could have caught. All of those small mouth bass! Wink, wink. What about all of those well spent hours sitting through prime time rush hour? Who knew it could take almost two hours to drive 13 miles! Remember when we used to play catch in the backyard, and you had to keep reminding me not to throw it at your feet or way over your head. Thesing gets on my case about that sometimes too. Thank you for reminding me of just how much I love this game on those days that I never ever wanted to play ball ever-again-forever. I know you just loved the nine hour, round trip, car rides to see our games. If you don’t qualify as a super fan, I don’t know who would. I am even ok with the fact that you have never been to a Parent’s Weekend, thank you Uncle John! Grandpa, thank you. You are the reason I play this game, and the reason I continue to play. You are with me everytime I take the field. You are there during form-running and during conditioning. You are there for my hits and my stolen bases. Thank you, I really could not play this game without you. Also thank you for my speed, I am glad I am not another “piano man.” Uncle John, thank you. You are the best honorary dad ever. I was honored to be your honorary daughter every parents weekend. Aunt Gloria, thank you for those home cooked meals! To all of my teammates…What can I say? You have taught me so much, I will be forever grateful. Gutty, you’re the best, and I still want to play like you when I grow up. It’s just not the same this year, and the off season just wasn’t as fun this year. By the way, you know that Chicago is way better than New York anyway. Wally, thank you for all of the game support-support. I love how you have single handedly turned our team from an anti-cheering team into a cheering team. Well done! Junger, as much as I want to play like Gutt when I grow up, I am pretty sure I want to throw like you. TC, I couldn’t imagine softball with out a little bit a TC! Mondo, it has been a pleasure, and G-ma don’t even talk to me! Thesing I will really miss our game commentary. No one saw quite the same game we saw. You still owe me for that trip over the river. “I’m in love….” Otte, lucky lead off! To my fellow outies, no cuts and nothing falls! Herby and McGraw, think fast. Pulv, 16! 16! 16! Daigs, it’s all about the power! To all my other girls, thanks for making it so unforgettable, SMU softball forever! Coaches, thank you for giving the girl who had only played 3 years of ball a chance. Thank you for being patient with me and showing me that I am a great ball player. C. Bray thanks for helping me realize it. I am honored to have you as a coach. Thank you. You have all taught me so much, about the game and about myself. Ambjor, thank you for trying to fix my knees, at least we alleviated some of the tickling. Without friends, all you do is get to watch the game. Thank you to all of my fans for coming to my games. Thanks roomies! I miss playing ball with you Jess. Thanks for being there when I would come home and need to vent. To all of my Wiffle ball rivals, it’s still on! Busjy, thank you for all your help, and for mentioning me after Bilski (insert dirty look here). Way to go all the way to 50! I will miss all those wings. I am still going to make you still be my friend even if I am in Chicago. Matt thank you for all that you have done for me this year! Pretty sure I would have disintegrated with out your help, you too, Steve. Good news, you have one trip back to Winona left! Jes, I miss you, I wish you could have been here. There are too many of you to name, I will miss every one of my friends here at SMU, it would not have been so much fun without you. I don’t know how to say good bye to all of you, and I can’t believe it’s my turn to say it. I don’t know how to say thank you. I will miss you. The years that we have spent together is more that just time, it is part of who I am. Go Red! BULLDOGS! Because my quote to remember my softball career at Saint Mary’s is kind of a little in appropriate, this one will have to do: “Breath, stretch, shake, let it go.” SMU softball, I will never let you go!