Letters From Home: Sydney Hampton
6/9/2020
Published May 12, 2020
Dear Omaha,
Life has been difficult recently. This pause on life has taught me to appreciate the little things. I’ve learned to adjust to the flow of our current situation. Most of my days are spent working at QLI, playing with my dog, studying and spending time outside.
Initially, I was upset and confused from what had been taken from me and my teammates. I didn’t understand the magnitude of the situation that had quickly become our reality. I packed up and drove 10 hours home to Durant, Oklahoma to be with my family. I now understand that this is so much bigger than any individual. Within a few weeks of returning to Durant, I missed being in the city that I now consider my home - Omaha.
I miss many things about my city. Particularly spending time with my teammates, playing Call of Duty in our locker room, pregame huddles and grinding on the field and in the weight room. I will never be able to put into words the appreciation and respect I have for this sport. I miss it every day. It hurts knowing that a season was taken from us but my heart aches for those that have been affected and lost so much more.
What I miss most about softball are the early mornings and late nights, lacing up my cleats, sitting in the bullpen, standing on the mound and receiving a sign from my catcher, the mid-inning meetings with Tatum, feeling on top of the world after taking down an opponent, the atmosphere and everything that softball encompasses. Most of all, I miss the mentality of my team. We have a saying before every time we step foot on the field – ride together, die together.
Going into my senior year of college, it’s hitting me that it’s all coming to an end soon. The sport that took me under its wing at the age of five, that continually wrecked me but also built me up into the woman I am, will be gone soon. I speak not only for my team but all athletes across the nation, we desire nothing more than to be back on the field doing what we love.
I’ll see you soon, UNO.
Sydney Hampton
RHP • Junior • Durant, Okla.
Omaha Softball
