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I present today’s writing or poem, I guess, in honor of the college softball opening weekend. It is the greatest, most exciting time of the year that brings in all the feels, even if I am not physically playing right now. If there is anything you should know about who I was as a player, it is that I was the most superstitious person ever. I know and have heard everything said about superstitions and to that I tell you to keep your opinions to yourself. I believe in them and lived by them as dumb as they were, and they were a big part as to why I loved sports so much. I catch myself still doing some of them and the second I do it puts me right back into game day mode. I warn you now, some of this stuff is completely absurd and do not recommend most of it at all, but it worked for me.

So here it goes…

Superstitions

Game day tomorrow,

start to prepare now.

Phone on do not disturb,

homework can wait until later.

Get ready to shower,

“Siri shuffle talking to the moon”

Relax, turn the water so hot it’s cold.

Cry, even if you don’t want to, just cry.

Eat dinner, “Shoot… not enough water”

happens everytime I’m already screwed…

“I’ll just skip dinner, a couple pieces of chicken

that will definitely put me back on track”

Sleep early. Wake up early.

Coffee, Cranberry Juice, Overeasy eggs, Oatmeal,

Brush my teeth, socks on, “Gimme a beat”

In that order.

Lil Baby, sliders and pants on

Akon, jersey hair and makeup

50 cent, tuck it all in shoes on “I’ma take it to the top, for sure, I’ma make it hot, baby”

Look in the mirror, pose

“Dangg Gurlll you are looking too good right now”

let me take a quick pic

In that exact order.

Get on the bus.

Watch how much time has passed

Turn on headphones- Maluma “El Clavo”, J-lo “El Anillo”, Bad Bunny “Te Bote”

Put that shit on blast.

Arrive at the field,

talk to no one

Warm up good, stretch fully,

time for one last snack

Cleats go on,

Double knot the left NOT the right

Gloves on BEFORE my helmet

Walk DON’T run to the plate

DO NOT step in the box until I hear my name.

“Now up to the plate, #5 Kaylee America Rodriguez”

Aghh I love my name.

Hold up my bat, breath in

God, it is showtime!

breathe out

Left foot to the back of the box, breathe in

Right foot to the front of the box, breathe out

Look at the pitcher, silence…

Home Run.

• Kaylee America