My Story
For the longest time softball has been my compass through life leading me to unimaginable opportunities. The sport has helped me to overcome some pretty rough adversity and placed pivotal individuals in my life. And for this I am extremely grateful for every bump and bruise I have received on this 14 year journey.
Written within both my infield and outfield gloves are the names of individuals who have impacted me in crazy big ways. From my role models to my studs at D-Bat to my players I have coached and watch grow into amazing young girls, this glove holds the reason I played and the how behind getting back up after every setback. Support. Love. Desire. Hope. Belief. Passion. Joy. Confidence and so much more.
These gloves stand for more than just a piece of equipment. It stands for everything I have worked and am still working towards. Absolutely nothing has come easy for me in my last 13 years of playing and I do not expect that to change within my journey of coaching. That is the joy of this game: looking back at all your hard work to see how far you have come.
I have come a long way in my journey and am now seeing the fruits of my effort beginning to bud. Never in my life did I think someone would ever consider me as a role model or someone of importance. Never did I think people would look up to me or want to be like me. I dreamed about it, I definitely dreamed about it but never thought it would happen. But these names proved me wrong. These names tell me that I have the potential to become a great coach.
Eloise Ristad
“When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.”
Why is the game of softball so captivating?
For the longest time, I thought it was the speed and intensity of the game that intrigued millions to partake. What I have come to learn is that we are captivated by something beyond the face value of the field.
It’s the chaotic harmony of 30+ completely different individuals with their own back stories and testimonies. From players to coaches to parents, softball unites the three worlds together to create a masterpiece on the field.
There is no game without the different skill sets of the players combining their strengths.
There is no game without the different testimonies of the coaches to mentor and unite the players under 1 common goal.
There is no game without the friends and families supporting, sacrificing, and loving their children without ceasing.
Softball is the by product of an undeniable bond that forms between all three of these avenues. Separate we are no stronger than our greatest weakness, together we are no weaker than the bond of our love.
