Featured Contributor – Kaylyn Slatter, MTSU Softball

Dad,

Since the day I came into this world, I have always been your number one fan. When I became older I wanted to be just like you, I wanted to do just everything just like you. You were my best friend. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t follow in your footsteps. You gave up everything for me, to be the best dad you could have been. Here is my story to you.

When I wanted to play softball, I was 8 years old. I wasn’t very good, I didn’t know what I was doing, the glove was too big, the helmet rattled on my head as I ran around the bases.  I swung for the fences spinning around in the batter’s box missing the ball every time, the uniforms always so baggy. You never lost faith in me. You cheered me on from the sidelines, always being there when I started crying for getting hit with the 10 mph ball, telling me it was going to be okay, and in your own way telling me to suck it up and get back out there.

As the next year came along, you became my coach. That was a love-hate relationship right there. I would always brag to other people saying “ yeah that’s my dad, the coach”, it was always sorta cool back when you were younger to have your dad as your coach. As I grew older and became more and more independent I always went out there and played for you. Always wanted to make you proud. I will always remember the long car rides or waking up early for softball tournaments, and you always having road food. We always used to stop at gas stations to get beef jerky and energy drinks, you always telling me “don’t tell mom”.

You never gave up on me, always stuck by me, backed me up, told me everything will be okay. You were my rock. Dad, I worked so hard for you, trying to make you proud, hoping one day I would make it to an amazing college so you could say, that’s my kid. Playing at a D-1 school. I finally made not only my dream but our dream come true. You pushed me to be the softball player I am today, making sure I got to my hitting lessons, taking extra cuts in the backyard, throwing with me at the Maidu softball fields. I can remember like it was yesterday that you were teaching me how to throw, at our old house, from one side of the culdesac to the other.

Love, your Little Girl.