2 Outs

Today is my 7,974th day on Earth.

Advertisement

Somehow, baseball has managed to slip it’s way into every 24 hour time frame that I have been alive. Not only am I surrounded by the game 24/7, but I like to think that I was born into it.

7,974 days ago, I stepped into the role of being “Coach’s Daughter.”

I grew up chasing foul balls for free popsicles, working the front gate at summer tournaments, singing the National Anthem for games, and owning the fact that I could add anything to the “coach’s tab” at the concession stand.

As I child, I embraced the fact that my ankles were stained with red clay from the field, and was constantly reminded that I should be living life with a “H.A.R.D.” (Hustle, Attitude, Respect, Discipline) perspective.

Although Dad stepped out of his coaching role a few years back, I never stepped out of mine. I constantly find myself labeled as “Coach Gentry’s daughter,” and repeatedly hear the words, “I remember you as a little girl running the bases at the field.”



I’ve always adored my Dad’s love for the game and take pride in the way that he instilled that love in me. To be honest, I often wonder if I’ll ever be able to marry someone that doesn’t experience Heaven between the first and third baselines. Aside from the melodic sound of metal spikes on concrete, or the indescribable feeling you get from a winning scoreboard, baseball constantly teaches me things that surpass the chain link fence surrounding the field.

I know that a strikeout doesn’t define me. Contrary to belief, curve balls did not originate on the baseball field. Life thought them up long ago and it likes to throw them at us. Despite the number of steps we may count back to the dugout, three strikes don’t define the player.

I know that I can’t do life on my own. The pitcher can’t win the game alone and neither can I.

I know it’s not all about me. Sometimes, it’s more important for me to advance someone else rather than myself.

I could fill journals with lessons that I have learned from baseball. However, if there’s anything that I could pass along from America’s favorite pastime, it would be to live life like you’re running the bases with two outs – to run as if this hit could be a game changer.

I’m learning more about what it means to live with the “two outs” mentality.

1383 days ago, I made a snap decision to move to Athens, Georgia instead of the school I had been accepted to.

1,088 days ago, I moved to New York City and didn’t know a soul. 364 days later, I did it again.

479 days ago, I faced my fear and finally auditioned to sing.

412 days ago, I took on a full-time job that didn’t pay me a dime.

I didn’t necessarily score a run on each of these “hits” but I’m thankful that baseball instilled in me that I should run like I’m going to.

It all comes down to one single day. A day that we can hustle, score a run and change the game, or a day that we can jog back to the dugout.

104 days ago, I stepped into a new role as my brother began his first college baseball season – “Gentry’s sister.”

What does your day look like tomorrow?

I’ll be spending mine in the bleachers, living up to the standard of being “Gentry’s sister,” and watching him inspire me to run like there’s two outs. I’ll be cheering for the sport that stole my heart 7,974 days ago, despite the number of times I thought that it was ruling my life. I’ll be screaming for the game that I was lucky enough to be raised to love and the sport I’ll teach my children to love. The sport that will make you experience every feeling possible within the frame of 9 innings. The sport that will inspire you to never give up because the last swing might win this crazy game we play called life.

Run on anything friends,

Ansley

To read more, please visit: https://curlyheadedoverthinker.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/2-ou...