Jen Gilbert Softball Academy

I’m in Canada this week working camp! See everyone next week 😊

So proud of Aubrey Yarbrough (Pearce HS) for all her hard work over the past 8 months! Love making a difference in young athletes lives to get them to the next level.

Go Aubrey! Excited to see what you will do in your career at Tulsa 💙

Can’t think of a greater repost! This is SO TRUE.

Coach Jen spent the past two weeks serving in Thailand on a mission trip with as their Head Coach. Lots of special memories made using softball to share the message of Jesus with the Thai people! Thailand has a Christian population of 0.06%.
Excited to be back for lessons! 🥎✝️

I will be in Thailand for a mission trip with for two weeks! See you back mid-July!!

Happy Father’s Day!! 💙🥎

The Women’s College World Series is one of the greatest classrooms in softball if you’re willing to pay attention.

Don’t just watch the home runs. Watch how these women carry themselves when the lights get stupid bright. Watch the body language after a strikeout. Watch the way they attack the next pitch after an error. Watch how they respond when 12,000 people are losing their minds around them.

Anybody can celebrate success. The real lesson is hidden in the struggle.

Watch the pitcher who just gave up a bomb and still demands the ball back. Watch the hitter who punched out twice and still steps in the box believing she’s the baddest player on the field. Watch the teammate in the dugout who keeps bringing energy when her name isn’t being called.

That’s the stuff that gets you here.

The WCWS isn’t built on talent alone. It’s built on thousands of reps nobody saw. Early mornings. Empty cages. Missed parties. Sore bodies. Failure after failure after failure until eventually the game starts giving something back.

So if you’re sitting in those stands dreaming about being on that field one day, don’t just be a fan.

Study them.

Steal their habits. Their toughness. Their resilience. Their confidence. Their swagger.

Because if you want to stand on that field one day, understand this:

The hard work isn’t over when you get there.

The hard work is what gets you there.

And damn… every second of the grind is worth it when your cleats finally hit that dirt 🩷

Can someone explain to me why travel teams have 4 hour practices now? Are you scrimmaging?
If you’re not scrimmaging then what on earth are you practicing for that long?

I just want to share signs of burn out vs loss of love for the game:

BURNOUT:
-not able to go as hard in practice/lessons due to fatigue
-fatigue sets in quicker than it has in past
-frequent injuries
-loss of previous joy because there hasn’t been mental breaks (playing 4+ weekends in a row can lead to this)
-show uncharacteristic irritation, frustration or anxiety before/after practices

LOSS OF LOVE:
-goes through the motions/lack of effort when well rested
-content with quitting
-never wants to practice
-after a long break from playing/practicing still doesn’t love to play
-has joy in other non-softball activities but not in softball

Thank you to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. 🇺🇸

Congrats Paige Child for not 1.. not 2.. but 3 new school single season records for Sanger HS that she set this year! 🌟🏅 Paige was also named Utility POY for Sanger in her senior season. She will compete at Salt Lake Community College next year. Go Paige!