Jennie Finch - Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big & Believe in Yourself

Acknowledgments

From Jennie:

For my entire life, Ive been blessed with a large, incredible support system. This book, and whatever else Ive accomplished in life, is thanks to those wonderful people who Ive leaned on for advice, guidance, and love.

So a heartfelt thank you to:

Casey, Ace, and DieselYou fill my heart with such joy daily. I only wish I could express all that you have brought to my life. I am eternally grateful.

My parentsYou are both my backbone. Dad, you have always given me unconditional love, confidence, dreams, motivation; you have always urged me to do what is right. You are the best coach Ive ever had! Mom, you are my rockalways there for me, always ready with a hug, and always knowing just what I need at just the right time. Thank you both for your support, your sacrifices, and your love.

Shane and LandonYou are such wonderful big brothers and terrific roles models. Thank you for toughening me up, lighting my competitive fire, inspiring me, and for your friendship and love.

My extended familyMy grandparents who have always been my biggest fans and spiritual lights. My nieces and nephews who inspire me daily. My in-laws, the Daiglesthank you for accepting me and embracing the crazy lives that Casey and I have lived and for making me feel so at home with you. Thank you for allowing and encouraging our dreams. Thanks for all you have sacrificed and the many opportunities you have given us and most of all for your love!

The Bomb SquadThe four of you have been my best friends since high school, my accountability sisters, my go-to gang. You have shown me what cool really is. Thank you for inspiring me and loving me unconditionally.

Tonimy best friend, my fellow warrior. Thank you for creating so many memories and laughs.

All my incredible amazing teammates who have inspired meThere are too many to name! You are the sisters I never had. You pushed me, motivated me, helped me become a better person and player. I could never thank you all enough! There is no I in team, and it always has been and will be we!

My Wildcat familyWhat a wonderful, life-changing, life-lasting experience I had at U of A! My biggest thanks goes to Coach Candreayou helped my dreams come true on and off the field with your guidance, support, and love.

Erin Kanefor all your support and guidance and friendship. Thank you for making things happen and all you do daily! Most importantly believing in Women in Sport and representing us so well!

The JFSCamp CrewI couldnt do it without you.

My USA Softball family. Ive been so blessed to represent the greatest country and travel the world with you all! Thank you for the incredible honor and many memories all over the world!

The USOC.

NPF and the Chicago Bandits. Thank you for the chance to play professionally! Bill Sokolisyour ownership, dedication, sacrifice that allowed and provided the pro opportunity.

Mizuno and all of my sponsors.

To my fans and supporters. You are my daily inspiration!

And to my main inspiration, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my light and salvation. All glory be given to You!

A special thanks to the women who came before me, paving the way, breaking down barriers, and shining the light. And to the young women and girls who are the future of not only sports, but society. The future is bright because of you!

Ann KillionThank you for stepping up to the plate and swinging away! Thanks for making this dream come true. Thank you for being so easy to work with and bringing in your incredible experience and talent to this project. Thank you for your dedication and superb coverage of Women in Sport and paving the way for female sportswriters!

From Ann Killion:

To my family: My daughter, Kaitlin, for your inspiration, your proofreading, and input, and your spirit and dedication on the court and the field. My son, Connor, for your support and humor and for once asking when you were very small, Mommy, can boys be sportswriters? My husband, Matt, for your patience and support and your dedication to coaching girls and encouraging them to be their best, on and off the court.

To Farley Chase for your guidance, to Joan Ryan for your recommendation and advice.

To Karen OBrien and the others at Triumph Books for their skill and expertise.

And to all the inspiring women athletes who have shared their stories with me over the yearsyouve changed the world, forever.

8. The Pressure Cooker: Handling Pressure from Parents, Adults, and Peers

I grew up on a nice flat cul-de-sac. Perfect for roller-skating.

One sunny Southern California day, I dug my skates out of the back of my closet and took them out to the curb to do some skating with my neighbor, Tracy. But Dad stopped me with the look.

What are you doing? he asked. You cant do that. Your teammates are counting on you.

Where I saw a fun pastime, he saw a broken wrist. Where I saw a sunny-day activity, he saw a dark end to my softball career. That was a big wake-up call. It was the day I felt that I wasnt just Jennie Finch anymore, but Jennie Finch, the pitcher.

Another day I came home from school and announced I was invited to go skiing at Mammoth Mountain with another friend and her family. Nope, I couldnt do that either. My teammates were all counting on me. I was the pitcher.

That was a lot of pressure for a girl to handle.

I often felt like I was under pressure growing up. Pressure to be the softball star. Pressure to be the ace. Pressure to play only one sport. Pressure to be a nice girl.

You might be under pressure, too. Pressure from your parents. Pressure from your teammates. Pressure from your peers. Pressure from your coaches. Pressure from your boyfriend.

And, like me, you probably put a lot of pressure on yourself. Sometimes it seems like too much.

Parental Pressure

Growing up, a lot of the pressure I felt was from my dad. We had one of those stereotypical parent-athlete relationships. He was very involved in my softball careereven before it was ever a career, when it was just a fun way to pass the time.

He taught me a lot. He helped me with the game. He never let me slack off, and he always expected the best out of me. He taught me to give 100 percent every single day.

He was always on me to make sure I did my workouts. He actually refused to drive me to school until I did my exercises with the Finch Windmillthe device he invented to help keep my body balanced and my arms flexible and strong. I know why he insisted; he wanted me to get the exercise done early in the day before school and practice and homework. He knew that, in all likelihood, if I didnt do it first thing, Id never do it.

But really, what parent threatens not to take their kid to school!

When he was talking about softball, Dad would refer to me as Jennie Fincheven when he was talking to me. I would say, Dad, its me. Im right here. He sometimes made decisions that I didnt like, such as the times we switched teams. He saw the politics involved in youth sports and how some coaches were promoting their own daughters ahead of other players or teaching players the wrong things. I didnt see all that at the time. I just wanted to be with my friends.

My father was always very clear about doing things the right way. He was very black and whitethere was no gray area. Now that Im a parent I see how important that is. If youre not clear about whats right and whats wrong, kids can get confused, try to bend the rules, or they might lack clear direction. But at the time I felt like he was being rigid and putting a lot of pressure on me.

My mom did a great job of staying neutral when it came to softball. She cheered for me but didnt expect anything of me. And she was the one I could turn to if I was frustrated with my dad. She reassured me that he just wanted what was best for me. She was the moderator, convincing me to do what my dad was asking to make life easier, or suggesting to my father that he give me a little space.