Hello good readers… this is Brentt Eads of Line Drive Media.

My thoughts here have nothing to do with softball directly but parallels what so many of you proud parents and coaches see and continuously experience—the inspiring actions of our young student-athletes on and off the fields.

Specifically, in my case here, being willing to take risks to improve oneself in life and being supportive of those you love, be it family, friends and/or teammates.

Friday night (Feb. 27, 2026), I was inspired by the maturity of my two sons and how their actions this one night will forever be imprinted on my mind…

*****

Looking To Grow by “Being Uncomfortable”

My youngest son, Ashton (age 18), is a high school senior at Kuna (Idaho) High and is an “A” student. He’s always been strong academically, but not so active in extracurricular activities.

However, that’s changed over the last year and, wow, has it made such a difference in his life.

Ashton had never played tennis before (or any sport seriously), but he took it up and worked so hard that he made his high school’s varsity tennis team last spring as a junior.

My youngest of five, he had also never done anything musical—especially singing or actiong—but he tried out for his school’s musical “Les Miserables” and not only made the show but had several solos.

At first, I wondered how he’d do with that. It’s one thing to sing at home in the shower, but it’s quite another to sing in front of 1,000 people which he did all this week as “Les Mis” was presented at his school where we live in the Boise, Idaho area.

Let’s just say he nailed his vocals and I was so proud that during Friday night’s show after Ashton sang one solo in his role as a Priest, I spontaneously turned around to the people behind me and exclaimed proudly: “That’s my son!”

Yes, for a moment I became “that guy”… so sue me!

Ashton also has developed a huge group of friends, and it warmed my heart to see him after the show congratulate—and be congratulated—by so many of his castmates. Just like any team—be in sports, music, science et al—you can’t do it alone.

Afterwards, I told Ashton I was so proud of him and the wonderful young man he’s become, and he said something that I will always remember.

“Dad,” he began, “I went into my final year of high school looking to do something different, something that would make me uncomfortable but push me to try new things, learn new things, to get out of my comfort zone.”

“And I’ve loved it.”

Now, is Ash going to play at Wimbledon someday or be on Broadway? Probably not, be he learned a valuable lesson about himself and it’s this: don’t be scared to try new things, get outside the box, push yourself… test yourself.

Maybe you won’t be great at everything and that’s alright. But you will learn more about yourself, who you are and what you like (and dislike) more than if you stay on the sidelines afraid to fail.

*****

Supporting Others, Especially Your Family And/Or Teammates

My oldest son, Kailen (age 20), is a junior at the University of Idaho, where he chose to go because it has a strong Engineering program. He’s much like his late grandfather, who was a brilliant engineer; Kailen is looking to be a civil engineer with the dream to someday construct buildings.

He and Ashton are close, though one’s in college and the other in high school, and they have two totally different sets of friends.

But what Kailen did last night touched my heart and will be something I will forever remember and be appreciative of.

The drive between the University of Idaho and our home is not a quick jaunt—it’s a six-hour drive.

Kailen has been mostly a silent listener to Ashton as his younger brother has talked enthusiastically for several months about the entire Les Mis adventure—from auditions to practices to making it to this week’s run of five performances.

The older brother knew this meant so much to Ashton and he made plans nobody knew about.

Earlier in the week Kailen let me in on a little secret: he was going to drive the six hours by himself early Friday to show up and support his younger brother.

With Ashton having a full day—the first day of tennis tryouts in the afternoon as well as the penultimate performance of Les Mis—he never came home from school, which allowed Kailen to come to our house and eventually drive with me to the evening performance.

Our seats were in the back of the auditorium so Ashton couldn’t see us, but that made what happened after the performance that much more special.

Here’s a video clip I shot of Ash seeing that his big brother drove all this way to be there and support him:

You can imagine how this touched me so… that these two wonderful young men embraced and were truly happy to be with each other.

It really kicked in my allergies—if you know what I mean.

I love seeing the softball athletes I cover grow and mature, starting out being aspiring young players and eventually becoming confident and successful adults who inspire the next upcoming generations.

There are too many softball examples—such as Jada Coleman, Sis Bates, Jordyn Bahl-Frahm to name—and it’s rewarding to follow so many others who go on to play for Team USA or in the pro ranks.

Even when done with their playing careers, many stay in softball in some capacity, often working directly with athletes to develop their skills.

I guess as a father my humbling experience Friday night showed me that my boys are on the right track for the most part as are the high majority of young softball athletes I’m blessed to cover.

They’re stretching themselves and, in the process, are not taking for granted those they love and those that love them.

So kudos to you, softball athletes, who aren’t afraid to take risks to better yourselves—whatever way that looks like—and appreciating those around you who are loving and supportive people in your lives.

For me, I was reminded of these important life skills by my two young boys’ examples, and I couldn’t be prouder… just like you wonderful adults who rightfully are proud of the tremendous young adults you’ve raised so well.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Media