A dimension of a powerhouse softball team of which I was not aware. I came across a couple of articles that painted an inspirational picture of the Oklahoma Sooners softball team that just won their 5th national championship.
The first article described the spiritual attitude and unity of many players.
Key point: “‘My teammates and God,’ she [Giselle Juarez, winning pitcher and Most Outstanding Player] said. ‘Like, all the glory right now goes to God. He’s been working through this team so much and, I mean, without them I wouldn’t be where I am. They had my back the entire tournament. It’s God and them.'”
More about it:
- Teams must have a rich culture. “Coaching has become much more than just winning for her [Oklahoma’s coach Patty Gasso], though. There is a culture of faith in God within the program, and multiple players have gotten baptized after being discipled within the program, like senior pitcher Shannon Saile.”
- Calling is bigger than the job. “‘Winning is not what I’m on earth to do, not winning softball games,’ [Oklahoma coach Patty] Gasso said on the Sports Spectrum Podcast in 2019. ‘The Lord has put it in my heart to win souls and do it in a way that is not forceful, but more trying to be the light for others through the way I live.’
Another article illuminated one of that team’s customs. They have a an acronym: B4TL.
Key point: “B4TL — read as ‘Battle’ — was the brainchild of junior infielder Grace Lyons, who came up with the acronym ‘BATL,’ which stands for ‘Boast About The Lord.'”
If you want to know what the “4” and BATL means… #nationalchampionship #WCWS pic.twitter.com/TEFsQDVxLP
— Sarah L Roberts (@fcatrophywife) June 8, 2021
More about it:
- There is a higher purpose for what we do. “‘We have learned all year about going to battle for the Lord and with the Lord on and off the field, and at the end of the day God gets the glory,’ team chaplain Sarah Roberts tweeted. ‘They know this stage is not a pedestal for them but a platform for God.'”
- The players know “they are playing for God and for others. Hence, ‘4.’”
- Blessings are more than benefits. “‘We learned that every blessing that doesn’t turn in to praise has the potential to turn into pride, so they hold up 4 fingers to give praise because they are playing 4 God and 4 each other,’ Roberts tweeted.”
There is a lot more in the linked article. Take time to read it.