What does losing the season mean to you?

Instructions

Our love of sports is why we play. The games, the teamwork, the friendships and the life lessons are all ways we benefit from participating in sports. When something we love is taken away from us so quickly, it is disorienting, troubling and angering. When the school year was put on hold, spring sports ended, leaving a huge hole in many lives. Writing about how you’re feeling for an audience that appreciates where you’re coming from could help you feel better. You’re not in this alone and your words might help someone else.

Audience

Your audience is student athletes across America. Pretty much everyone, everywhere in the United States is in the same situation: sports are on hold and seasons have been canceled or cut short. They’re feeling the loss. Write for readers of the Players’ Journal — which includes high school athletes, coaches, RBI coaches and players, and MLB people involved with the RBI baseball program.

Purpose

To share how you’re feeling right now about the end of the baseball or softball season (or any season for that matter). You may also want to talk about how just being out of school in general has affected you.

Process

Conceive the task: Before you start to write, think about your experiences as a baseball or softball player: What have you done as a player? Where? And why? What were your expectations for the coming season? What’s your attitude toward the game and toward yourself? What experiences have shaped your views? It may help to create a timeline of key events in your life ending with this spring. Another tool could be to think of a metaphor (some symbol, image or concept) that accurately represents you as a player. With these ideas in mind, proceed to step 2.
Draft: Now that you’ve reflected on the topic, write a draft targeted toward your specific audience.
Revise: Review your draft for coherence and structure. Are you telling the audience what they need to know and in an order that helps them understand your message? Are you exemplifying your message? Think of it like a game of show and tell. Saying “I like baseball” makes your experience vague and abstract to your audience. They’re likely to wonder why you like baseball or what sorts of things you like about it and why. Instead, show your audience your message through examples that illustrate what you’re telling them.
Edit and Polish: Check for correct grammar and spelling. Proofread one more time and make it shine the best you can.
Title: A title will catch the reader’s attention and get them to read YOUR piece. Be creative here, but don’t promise more than you deliver — this isn’t a clickbait ad.

Reflect

How did it feel to share about this very personal experience? Have the stress lifted somewhat, or did this just make you more aware of your grief? How might you feel if readers get in touch with you to share their response to your piece? Will it help to hear from others who are experiencing the same thing?