A Letter From A Coach To His Team

Dear 2020 Huntington Beach High School Varsity Softball Team,

We all would have never thought our season would end like this. Nor in my wildest dreams would I see the world put on pause. I am at a loss for words with the disappointment that our team and families have gone through these last 21 days. It seems like yesterday we all met at the weight room to discuss what is next. Well, that “next” has come and we are impacted. As a team, we have all worked so hard all year long. I’m extremely sad for our six seniors. Senior year in high school is not suppose to be played out this way and frankly, life is not suppose to play out this way! As a father myself, I always coached you as one of my own. I strive to protect you, treat you like adults and play a sport we all love. Today, we are all saddened, stunned and really concerned from this pandemic event and our future outcomes.

With the high softball expectations at the beginning of the season placed on us, to the bizarre week of ties in Chino, and then league play right around the corner, suddenly it all slammed stopped!  I truly believed we had “it” to compete for a CIF championship this year.  This year’s team was just that: we were a “team”.  We were a close group, with talent up and down the roster and had that athletic desire to do our best.  From all the early season work-outs, to all the fall games and the softball events we participated in, our group has worked so hard! We were very diligent and competed as a group with a smile, pride and a great deal of teamwork.

Today, we all ponder the “what could have happen” on the field, But I want to bring some positive light out of these life changing times that we are living through.  I  have stressed to you to be resilient, play calm under stress, understand that the game will give you opportunities to succeed, help others in need, and your character is far more important than any softball game played all year.  As we look back to this broken season, and from the bottom of my heart, I feel that this years team is more prepared, more qualified and more tested than any other youth team I have had the blessing to have coached to take on the world. I am so proud of each of you and where you are at in your life at this moment. These world events only validate that the skills you have gained will yield you to be successful and to be community leaders.

You should not be going through this nor miss out on your season, school events and lost days of school.  But I believe God is in charge and has a plan for all of us. While today it may not be a plan we wanted, we still need to trust.  And like many, trusting at the moment can be really tough.  These uneasy times full of high anxiety days and nights can all wreck havoc on our daily lives and on our families.  For me, I consistently need to remind myself to trust, have faith and carry on. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5

We may not have gotten to the middle and ending we wanted on the field, but I am so blessed on all those days we had together from the start of school’s to the last day we where all together.  Each player on the team made this limited game season a true success for me. 

For all the girls, this life experience will mark them forever and I know you will be that light to some other student, a family member, a sibling or a member in the community for years to come.  If this is true, then this broken season was a huge success that wins will never touch.

This year’s team will always be near to my heart.  I will always stay in touch with each of you as we navigate 2020 and beyond.  I would still like to salvage something for our six seniors who are so dear to me and the rest of the coaching staff when we can meet, safely.  I feel our seniors are ready to move onto college and make a world impact.  It’s only the beginning for them!  For all the returners, we are so fortunate to have you return for next year’s team and I know we all will not take our years in high school for granted. That is one thing this pandemic has taught us.

In closing, remember my promise to all of you at the beginning of the season: “Give me 4 years and I will give you 40!”  Nothing has changed from that mission statement as we all march forward in life. You will be back on a field and you will be playing again with new teammates, new expectations and new challenges.  I hope to go along with you on that path regardless if I get to coach you again or watch you on TV!

As with every day this season,  my prayer for you all is “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”. Joshua 1:9.  You are of God’s children and you are loved.

Until we meet again, may you and you family stay safe and healthy.  I’m proud of you all. #Oilers4Life!!

Jeff Forsberg

HBHS Oilers Varsity Softball Head Coach