Charlie Baker: Field Hockey and Softball Player
-Junior in Southern California
-Played field hockey since freshman year and softball since she was 7 years old
-Played a forward on her field hockey team and she has made her way up to the starting lineup on varsity
-Plays catcher on her softball team and has been playing for her school’s varsity team since freshman year
“[Being a student athlete] has definitely helped with my time management skills and efficiency skills,” says Charlie. It is a lot of stress balancing school with a social life and athletics, but it's a good introduction to the real world. Managing a schedule, making time for homework, time with family and friends, and even taking time to relax a bit is difficult. Knowing when to stop is important too, and setting appropriate limits for yourself. Charlie stopped playing softball for a while to focus on school and field hockey, but, “Being away from the sport made me want it more - youth sports are changing politically and socially... sports are supposed to be fun, and we kind of forget about it. Sometimes I have to step back and say ‘I’m here to have fun’,” describes Charlie. Knowing when to push yourself, and also when to step back for a little bit is a crucial aspect of being a dedicated student athlete. It’s important to take days off when you really need it, describes Charlie.
Mental health days can be a valuable part of one’s busy schedule. But it’s also important to find a balance. “You made a commitment to your team, so it’s important to know the balance between pushing yourself too much and too little,” says Charlie. In terms of coaching, Charlie believes that a coach can make or break your season; every coach is different! Mental health viewpoints can differ hugely depending on different coaches. It’s important to determine the importance of mental health in the success of a student athlete, as, “Mental health plays a huge role in physical health. I feel like mental health is very stigmatized. Mental health is a spectrum; I feel that it’s really hard to define in the eyes of a student athlete,” says Charlie. It is difficult to draw a line and define the difference between sports and school. But when it comes to Charlie, “I consider myself a student athlete over an athlete-student. School comes first.” Having sports during school makes you more active, busier.
Charlie likes going to school, with practice right after, and then having fun with friends or teammates. Such a busy schedule can help with time management, and ultimately knowing when to get things done and when to take a break. “School and sports give you a way to figure out work ethic and routine, which is incredibly important for real life,” says Charlie. She believes that school and sports are very closely related. “When I do well in school, I feel better in sports, and when I feel better in sports, I feel better in school.” While managing a busy schedule of sports, school, and a social life can be incredibly difficult, “It helps you think about what is important and to help set your priorities straight,” says Charlie.
