From Heartbreak to Growth: The Game That Changed My Perspective on Sports and Life

Last week, I watched the Phillies game where they lost to the Dodgers 1-0 in extra innings (I know, still a sore subject). If you watched, you know the pitcher made an error - an overthrow to home plate that ended the game. Phillies fans were furious, and understandably so, but all I could feel was sadness for the player who made that mistake.

As a college softball player, I could almost feel his panic in that moment: the instant regret, the mental spiral that follows. Softball and baseball are incredibly mental sports. Learning to handle that pressure takes years, and truthfully, most people never really master it.

That game got me thinking about the challenges of sports and, more importantly, the lessons they teach us. I once had a coach who changed my entire perspective on athletics when he told me, “Sports don’t just teach you how to play - they teach you how to live.” That stuck with me. Over the years, I’ve realized how much the lessons from sports have shaped who I am today, both on and off the field.

So, whether you’re an athlete yourself, love someone who is, or simply appreciate sports, I want to share a few lessons that have completely changed the way I see both the game and life. Because sometimes, all it takes is a change in perspective.

This one’s tough for me. I’m a perfectionist, and there’s nothing I hate more than failing. But softball is a game of failure. You fail more than you succeed… unfortunately. So why, as a perfectionist, did I choose this game? Honestly, I’m still not sure (I might have gray hair soon). 

But the truth is, failure never stops. No matter how old you get or how much you accomplish, it will always be part of life. And that brings me to my next point…

Plot twist, right? I just said failure is constant, but I’ve also learned that it isn’t real, at least not in the way we think. Without failure, there’s no growth. Without growth, there’s no learning. Every time we fall short, we gain something valuable, such as a change in perspective, the strength of resilience, or even self-awareness.

Once you stop running from failure and start welcoming it, everything changes. You begin to see failure for what it really is: progress in disguise.

There’s nothing quite like knowing a college coach is in the stands watching your game. It’s exciting and nauseating at the same time. From a young age, as athletes, we were taught to always present ourselves well-you never know who’s watching. And it’s true! In the softball world, word travels fast, both good and bad. 

That lesson went beyond recruiting. It taught me the importance of kindness and sportsmanship, no matter the circumstance. Whether a coach is watching or not, your character matters. The recruiting process conditioned many of us to control our emotions and act with grace, even when things didn’t go our way. That ability, to stay kind under pressure, is something I’ve carried into every part of my life and something I am so grateful for! 

This is the lesson that came flooding back as I watched that Phillies pitcher make his error. In sports, and in life, it’s so easy to let a mistake consume you until it feels like it’s tattooed on your forehead for everyone to see.

I remember being a freshman in high school, still playing basketball at the time, and being in a tight game. I went to the line for foul shots that could’ve won it. I only needed one… and missed all four. Yes, four. I had a few changes… oops! My whole family was watching, and the whole school. That moment haunted me for a really long time!

At the time, it felt like that failure was me-that it defined me. But looking back, it wasn’t that serious. It didn’t define me then, and it doesn’t now. Mistakes don’t make you less human-they prove that you’re human.

So, think back to a time when you felt like a mistake ruined everything. Remind yourself: perfection isn’t the goal. Growth is.

We all love control. Having a plan gives us comfort and certainty. But life rarely sticks to the script, no matter how much we try.

During my recruiting process, I thought I had everything figured out. I verbally committed to a college and stopped talking to other schools. Then, out of nowhere, the coach I planned to play for left the program. I was crushed. Suddenly, I was back at square one.

My mom sent me a link to a school I’d never heard of: Immaculata University. One conversation led to another, and everything started falling into place. Now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. The friendships, the experiences, the growth, it’s all been better than I ever could have planned. That certainly wasn’t on my original agenda! 

Sometimes your plans need to fall apart so something better can come about.

Sports have a funny way of teaching us what really matters-not through the wins or the perfect plays, but through the moments that test us most. Athletics pushes us to confront failure, stay kind under pressure, and keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned. That’s what makes sports the best teacher-not just in competition, but in life! I am so grateful for the lessons and impact that sports have given me, and I hope that this blog post was helpful for you in your own life! 

Thank you so much for tuning into this week's Inter(N)esting Insights, and I can’t wait to see you next week!