“A little thanks goes a long way,” says Jenna Lilley, the outstanding infielder from Hoover High in North Canton, Ohio, who is one of the top high school and club softball players in the nation.  Jenna has helped Hoover win three straight state championships with this year’s team compiling a 32-0 mark.  The lefty hit a jaw-dropping.697 as a junior and was named the Ohio State Player of the Year and a MaxPreps All-American.  The Buckeye State star has committed to the Univ. of Oregon and is also excellent in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA. 

In this blog, Jenna talks recognizing those who spend a lot of time, energy and money helping you, the athlete, become the best you can be in the sport you love to play…

 Click here to read Jenna’s earlier blogs and those from our other standout players.

Learn more about Jenna and her athletic family in this piece by her mother, Debbie, called A parent’s perspective: softball sacrifices

See our video interview of mother and daughter shot this summer at PGF

 

***

 

Every day I practice softball.

Every practice, someone has to help me out. Balls cannot be tossed and grounders can’t be hit by themselves.

Up until around the age of 16, someone had to drive me to all my practices and tournaments. Someone still takes me to all of my long distance (Chicago) practices and tournaments to this day!

What I’m describing to you is my support system.

My biggest supporter is my mom, Debbie. She comes and practices with me EVERY day and does so much for me and I am so grateful for everything she does for me. She supports my healthy nutrition habits and everything I do.

The list of what she does for me could go on and on. The greatest part of it all is I know she will be there for me no matter what.   Yours is probably similar in some ways…

The bottom line is that SOMEONE or even several people are sacrificing a lot of time, money, and energy for YOUR benefit.

Never forget that. Don’t take for granted what your parents do for you. Realize they could be doing a LOT of other things besides driving you to your practice that’s three hours away, or your tournaments that are 2,000 miles away.

The point I am trying to get across here, is just to be “thankful.” Personally, I am big on appreciation. It is not difficult to just throw out a “thanks!”

After every practice— and every day—I tell my mom thank you for everything and remind her I really appreciate everything she does for me. Maybe it’s your sister, dad, coach, brother, etc.

Just always remember to thank them.  A little “thank you” goes a long way.

As always,

Jenna