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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHer dad, Todd, said, \u201cMia has had a grit about her since she was 3. She would practice for hours on end \u2014 she would not be outdone. She has a competitive edge about her that is relentless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, she gives back to the sport, mentoring young players. Witnessing their growth fills Mia with pride, knowing how hard they worked. Even more rewarding is seeing players return lesson after lesson, having mastered what they previously struggled with through dedicated practice. She truly believes in them and hopes they sense she\u2019s their biggest fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really try to push the confidence part,\u201d Mia shared. \u201cI tell them to step in the box and tell themselves, \u2018I\u2019m the best player out here.\u2019 Once they believe it, you can just see a change in their demeanor. They\u2019re determined to hit the ball right back at me because they know they\u2019re prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She believes equally in her teammates and encourages them, knowing the game\u2019s outcome is a mutual effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mia said, \u201cI\u2019ve really tried to push \u2018do your best.\u2019 We\u2019ll all do our best, and it\u2019ll all work out in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her strength is undeniable, both on and off the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMia is our fighter \u2014 she\u2019s tough, not just physically, but mentally as well,\u201d her mother, Sara, said in a Facebook post. \u201cAnyone who knows her \u2014 really knows her \u2014 can attest to this. She\u2019s probably the most mentally strong person I\u2019ve ever met. Over the years, Mia has been her sisters\u2019 protector, her dad\u2019s substitute boy, a leader on the field for her teammates, and held responsible for so many things that sometimes I wonder how she doesn\u2019t crumble under the weight of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable sometimes exposes our greatest strengths. Years of Mia measuring her days and her value by statistics and scoreboards stole her joy, coming between her and time with the people she held dear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mia shared, \u201cLast softball season, I went through a really tough mental health crisis, and it made me realize how important Christ was in my life. I was letting the outcome of my softball games \u2014 that little ball \u2014 define me as a person so much that I couldn\u2019t enjoy time with my family or my friends. I didn\u2019t feel like I could talk to Christ. I came to the realization that, at the end of the day, I\u2019m not going to have that yellow ball. Softball is going to end one day, but I\u2019ll always have my relationship with Christ and my family and friends. I came to the realization that my relationship with Christ meant more than the game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time on the mound produced a bond with catcher Abby Flynt. The two share an unspoken connection forged through countless games, practices, and their shared faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve really grown together this season. She knows me on the mound, probably better than I know myself. She knows what pitches I can throw, when I can throw them, and what to call. She knows if I\u2019m struggling what pitches I can throw to come back from where I\u2019m at,\u201d Mia said. \u201cShe knows me better than I know myself, honestly. She\u2019s one of my best friends. And she\u2019s also helped me grow closer to God. We pray before every game. I think she\u2019s played a huge role in my growth in Christ this past year, and I\u2019m just really thankful for her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Friends, family, and faith on and off the field fuel her life now. Her new perspective goes with her as the next season of her life and softball career opens at the University of Memphis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mia said, \u201cI\u2019ve always loved kids. When I get out of college, I want to be a pediatric [intensive care unit] nurse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Todd said, \u201cAs her dad, I\u2019m in awe of the woman she\u2019s become, and words can\u2019t express the pride I carry watching her with young kids and older adults. She will make a great nurse, wife, and mama one day \u2014 or whatever she sets her mind to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, she\u2019ll take the mound at the University of Memphis with clarity. Although the mound remains her sanctuary, she has found balance. Her identity is no longer solely defined by the game. Centered by her faith and surrounded by the unwavering support of family and friends, Mia can simply be herself. And when she plays her last game, she\u2019s ready to pour her passion into helping others on a new field. The future lies wide open before her. GN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE UPROAR surrounding the field becomes a distant murmur as Mia Brown digs her cleats into the pitcher\u2019s plate. The mound is her sanctuary, a judgment-free zone where she can simply be herself. Her laser focus narrows to the catcher\u2019s signals, the familiar routine quieting her mind despite the game\u2019s intensity. This is Brown\u2019s happy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/1-3-1024x683.png\")
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