I never realized or came to this conclusion until this weekend at my softball tournament.
My team and I were attending the Gracie Haught tournament in Payson; a tournament I have attended annually with my team for four years. As soon as we arrive and pull into the field we immediately receive looks from everyone. They all begin to mumble, "Oh it's just Holbrook." Or "Who are they? Is Holbrook even a place." Then there is my all time favorite, which was said to one of my coaches this year, "Oh it's Holbrook, they don't know anything."
People begin to judge us based on our looks and the fact that we are a small school who can't afford all the best equipment that the valley teams have. No one gives us the chance to prove ourselves before they decide what they are going to think of us.
Everyone believes that they have us all figured out and that they can walk all over us.
When we started off the tournament on Saturday we came out with a strong 16-4 win against Sunnyslope. A little surprised the directors told us we were to play on field three at eleven against Deer Valley. The whole team rushed over to the field just to find out that they decided to let Snowflake and Apache Junction play there game on field three and we were told to wait.
We sat patiently and waited until someone finally came to tell us that we could play on field one in five minutes. Again we hurried over to field one and started our game. After a good fight and some horrible calls by the umps we, lost the game 4-6. Luckily for us the tournament was double elimination and we had at least one more game.
Our whole team stood patiently next to the bracket to find out who we played next, but there was one problem...they took us off the bracket. We were all quite confused, so my coach asked to see the director of the tournament. When the man approached us we informed him on the mistake in the bracket and asked about who are next game would be. The director looked at the bracket and assured us it was correct. We were told that because our last game was delayed the decision was made to give our spot and game away to another team. This was upsetting to hear. My coach began talking to the director asking him to explain and trying to get us a game. The director simply turned to my coach and with an annoyed tone replied, "Why does it matter? You're just a bad team looking to play some more bad teams."
We never got to play our other game.
It's frustrating that because we come from a small town and school we are never given the benifit of the doubt; we are always counted out.
If playing on a team that older equipment, less than twenty girls, and comes from a small town is classified as a "bad team", then I am very proud to say I'm part of a bad team.
I know for a fact that one thing my bad team has that a lot of good teams don't, is the heart to play and the determination to make a name for ourselves and the name across the front of our jerseys.
I love my bad softball team.
Wow, it amazed me how ridiculous people in this world can be. I didn't know someone could be so rude. I'm sorry that the tournament ended like that for you guys. I agree with you completely. In general, the world needs to stop judging so harshly and hope for the best in everyone. As a member of the same small town, I know that it's really discouraging to be looked down at for reasons as such. Keep proving them wrong! Not just in softball, but in whatever life might throw at you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the title, I thought oh no! But with the quotations around the bad, I figured it would a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIt’s really hard to believe that there are people like that in this world. They just came to assumptions that Holbrook is just another small town.Coming from someone who cares about others’ feelings, it’s just hard to hear that people say rude things and don’t care how it will affect everyone else.
It’s upsetting that it was the last tournament for the seniors and it had to end up that way.Even though it might’ve made you angry, I liked how you turned a bad event into a lesson everyone can learn. It let me have a glimpse of how the “real” world is like. I know there will be a lot of people like that in the future, but the best we can do is take the high road
That honestly makes me so mad. I hate when people look down on us because we are from Holbrook. I do love how you were able to take something positive out of it. I really am glad that I grew up in happy Holbrook. A lot of people also call it happy, humble Holbrook. I really believe that to be true. I think that it is great that we don’t have the nicest things and we do have to work for new gear. I really think that has taught me to be grateful and humble. I’m really sorry you didn’t get to play another game. That is honestly ridiculous. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeing by your side the past four years, I have seen how it plays a part in how we play or feel. Many people confuse skill with heart and determination. They don't understand that softball isn't only about skill, but about the effort put in and the dedication. Never giving up is a way of showing just how good one team can be even if a loss is taken. Yeah, Holbrook teams may not get all of the up to date stuff, but we sure have teams that prove we don't need any of that. I'm proud to be part of a "bad" team with you girl! Thanks for sharing for many small town teams can relate to this!
ReplyDeleteBeing by your side the past four years, I have seen how it plays a part in how we play or feel. Many people confuse skill with heart and determination. They don't understand that softball isn't only about skill, but about the effort put in and the dedication. Never giving up is a way of showing just how good one team can be even if a loss is taken. Yeah, Holbrook teams may not get all of the up to date stuff, but we sure have teams that prove we don't need any of that. I'm proud to be part of a "bad" team with you girl! Thanks for sharing for many small town teams can relate to this!
ReplyDelete