International & NPF

The adventure of a lifetime: Maren is headed to Israel

It’s no secret that I haven’t played competitive softball in eight years. I’ve trained, I’ve practiced, I’ve coached and I’ve given lessons but played in a game? Nope.

Which is why over the next few weeks, I will take every one of our Fastpitch News readers on a trip with me as I step into my (brand new) cleats and back onto the competitive playing field… in Israel.

Almost one year ago, I was presented with an opportunity to try out for Maccabi USA in Chicago.  I worked out for a couple of months to prepare. The idea was out of left field.  I didn’t even know this team was a thing but I got in my car and drove eight hours north.

I pulled into the parking lot, took a deep breath and told myself that I had nothing to be afraid of.  I quickly noticed that I was the oldest one on the field and one of the few who didn’t play in college but that didn’t affect me.  I felt like my career was unfinished and if I didn’t give it my all, I would always regret it.

The sun was beaming and I could feel the heat rising off the turf.  Temperatures were closing in on what felt like triple digits with outrageous humidity.  I kept going.  A few hours and a broken bat later, the tryout was over and the waiting game began.

A month or so later, I received the email that changed my 2016 and now, 2017.  I made the team and was going to Israel.

It’s unreal how quickly time flies.  I remember reading the email, reaching out to my teammates and training with whoever would help me. It’s definitely been an interesting year and I only have five days left in the States before boarding an airplane bound for Tel Aviv.

I will be keeping a blog to keep every one of you in the loop.  From what I’ve seen, we will play about eight games over the course of two weeks against Canada and Israel.  I have to get back to packing and running my errands around town. Talk to you all again soon!

 

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