There's No Crying in Baseball

NCAA Baseball season is well under way. Notre Dame, as of today, is currently 9-17 overall with a record of 1-11 in the ACC. Ouch! Not a great start to our season, but I believe we will do better.

I spent all day Friday and Saturday working with the team, and I'm just starting to get the dynamic of it. This team works hard, and I'm not just talking about the players. I mean the entire team. Each coach, manager, trainer, and player puts in 100% effort and wants to make sure everyone succeeds. It's different to be apart of a team and not be the athlete, I'll tell you that.

I've learned a lot working under the Hoff-man and A-Dawg. They're two really great people to work under. Each is dedicated and works their ass off daily. I value what they have to say, as they challenge me daily at work. It isn't just, "Hey Leah, shag balls". Rather, more like "Hey Leah, do you want to order food for the opposing team and then go and set up the field for their practice with me?" When working with Hoff and A-Dawg, your year does not matter. They want you to work your hardest and show that you are committed. Saying you are a freshman and don't know how to or don't know any better is not an option. This isn't just a job. They demonstrate that as a manager, you are apart of this team and therefore, you HAVE to be fully committed.

I didn't think I would learn this much about work ethic and myself when I applied to be a manager. I expected myself to be working with other students, running errands for coaches, and just going with the flow. Working with baseball is the opposite. I have learned how to be independent at a job, how to take and order and execute it to my greatest ability, as quick as I can, while still being efficient. I've learned that you will work with people you don't get along with, and that sometimes you have to roll with the punches in order for things to work out again. I learn more and more about myself daily as the season goes on.

The boys's season has not been that great. Yet, if you watch practice, you wouldn't guess it was such from how dedicated everyone is and how hard to boys train. We'll see how this weekend against FSU goes. I have a good feeling about Florida.

Go Irish!