I Wonder…

I wonder what my life would be like if I wasn't a female athlete. If nineteen years ago my parents were handed a baby boy instead of a girl. Would I play football? Basketball? Maybe soccer? Or would I follow in my father’s footsteps and play baseball? There's no way to tell what my life would be like if I wasn't a female athlete, but it definitely wouldn't be the same. This is by no means an "equal rights" piece. The sole purpose behind writing this is to show the underlying truth behind male and female sports, especially when it comes to college athletes pursuing their dream to play professionally.

When little boys are growing up, they watch the MLB, NFL, NHL, or any other professional league on TV. As they get to high school and later college, they're still watching, except now it's more of a goal for them. Once men get to college there is one thing on their mind: "going to the Show.” Out of all the male athletes I've talked to since coming to school, not a single one has told me they want to have a career after college. It's all about going pro. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big, we were always told to shoot for the stars; but growing up as a female athlete I had to be more realistic with my future.

Professional softball is still in the works. They've come a long way and have given female athletes a taste of what life could be like in the pros. But if you look at all the professional female leagues: the NPF, WNBA, LPGA, NWSL, and others, it's not really a career. Professional female athletes aren't making millions. It would be easier for me to compare the NPF with the MLB, men’s baseball and women’s softball are immensely different. Getting drafted by the MLB is on a different level compared to getting drafted for the NPF. High school baseball players have the opportunity to go to the draft after their senior year. Some take that opportunity, and some go to college. Once they go to school and play ball, they have another opportunity after their junior year of college. An opportunity to sign with agents and contracts worth millions. That's every baseball player’s dream, right? Going to the Show. But before they can make it to the Show, they have to make it through the Minors first. Rookie Level, Short-Season, Class A, Double A, Triple A, and if they're lucky enough to make it further, they go to the MLB. Within each level there are multiple teams and each team needs players. The NPF however, has five teams, each averaging about 20 players. Around 100 female athlete’s get to live out the dream of playing professional softball. One hundred out of thousands, it's a rare opportunity. Allow me to break down the NPF a little: you are first eligible for the draft after your senior year of college, and the average salary is between $5,000-$6,000 for the months of June, July, and August. Those who are drafted and decide to sign with a team can't rely on playing forever or making enough money to live on. After their contract is up, or during the 9 months that they aren't playing, they would need to find a job of some sort. Professional softball isn't a career, which means female athletes have to be more realistic when it comes to their future. This statement is not an exaggeration; I am by no means demanding or requesting that female athletes stop striving to play professional sports. This is simply the reality when it comes to comparing male and female athletics.

I am a student athlete, not simply an athlete. My priorities involve so much more than just working on my game. My number one priority is giving myself the best opportunity to succeed in the future. I want to be the best human I possibly can and that isn't an option if all I'm focused on is softball. Yes, softball is always on my mind, but I'm not naive enough to say that I won't need a successful career in order to live a successful life. That’s why academics are so important, especially for female athletes. Professional sports aren’t a fall back for many of us. Going to a University where Men's Basketball is so prestige, you come to know what entitlement looks like. What it looks like when athletes know they are the best and that going pro is in their future. You cheer them on for a year or two and then send them on their way to make millions, while you stay in school and focus on your college career and degree.

For many athletes, this is it. We are now embarking on our last few years of high level competition. For those who do not get the opportunity to play post college, this is our Show.  As a freshman, it would be a dream to play after college, I assume that dream lives within all athletes. But for most women, it will be nothing more than a dream.