Every month, we recognize two student-athletes, one male, one female. This month we recognize sophomore Emma Bullock.
Bullock plays for the softball varsity team at Birmingham Community Charter High School. A life-long softball player, Bullock finds that the sport invigorates her and helps her practice looking at the good instead of the bad.
Q: So how long have you been playing softball and why?
A: I’ve been playing softball for almost my whole life and it also runs in my family. Like all my siblings play so it’s like a family thing. It’s been something that’s just been an outlet for my energy and when I don’t have energy, softball gives me energy.
Q: What’s your favorite part of playing softball?
A: My favorite part of playing softball is when you get a really good hit or play and everyone is like: “Oh my god, good job!” And it’s like I did a good job, didn’t I? Because a lot of the time, I’m looking at what I’m doing wrong so I can fix it instead of what I’m doing right.
Q: How do you get your mind to help you focus on the positive aspects instead of the negative?
A: I usually try to think of one pro and one con of the things that I do. Because if I make a mistake like even if I make a mistake during this one part, but I did good during this part so I need to keep doing that so I can be better.
Q: How do you balance school and sports?
A: I feel like balancing school and sports has always been really difficult until now. Because now that I am in high school, I am finally getting the hang of it, which kinda stinks that now I’m getting a little older that it’s happening but I’m glad I’m getting the hang of it.
Q: Is there anything you’ve started doing that’s made it easier for you to get a grasp on things?
A: I’ve been planning things a lot more and not procrastinating as much. I still procrastinate sometimes but it’s still not nearly as often as before.
Q: Do you have any words for anyone interested in playing softball?
A: Go for it. It’s super fun, it’s relatively easy since now that you’re in high school so you probably have more coordination.
Q: Speaking of coordination, how do you deal with schedule changes when you no longer have your phone to help you keep up?
A: I usually email my teammates like “What’s going on?” constantly throughout the day. Because I know I’m not going to be able to check my phone and it’s really annoying.