I know this may not be a big deal to some but I noticed it immediately. The eye contact. One thing that was instilled in me at a young age was the importance of making eye contact when someone is speaking to you. It’s a simple habit, but it says a lot. It shows respect. It shows that you’re present and paying attention. That’s why it’s something I emphasize at every clinic I run. When I’m teaching, I expect athletes to look me in the eye. Not because I’m trying to be super strict, but because learning how to communicate, listen, and show respect will take them much further than anything I can teach them about fielding a ground ball or swinging a bat. While I don’t know Coach Murphy or Jocelyn Briski, the fact that this is something she naturally does tells me a lot about her character and the program that helps shape her. Softball is about so much more than softball.