Haylie McCleney is entering her first year in the National Pro Fastpitch League after four standout seasons at Alabama and being drafted 13th overall by the USSSA Pride. Here is a look at her New Year's resolutions for softball players, coaches, and fans.

Another year, another softball season is here. I believe this is truly the most wonderful time of the year. This year will be different for me personally. I am so excited to continue to watch this sport grow into what it should be. In the spirit of the new year, I have decided to address some resolutions I feel should be at the forefront of the world of softball in 2017.

Young Female Athletes

I encourage you to try to spend less time on Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, and whatever other social media you have and get out and live. Go hit, workout (yes, that's important for almost any age), get some fielding work in, shoot a basketball, throw a football, and spend time with your family and friends.

Experience life.

Life isn't lived behind a screen. Instead, work so hard that all of those people that want to spend time on social media talk about your success, your work ethic, and your potential.

Live your life, and love it while you're living it.

College Players

Make it your resolution to soak up every single moment that you can, because trust me, it goes in the blink of an eye.

Develop yourself as a woman.

Be ready to go out into the workforce when you graduate and absolutely dominate. Focus on your growth not only as a player but also as a person. Spend as many moments at the facility as you can. Prepare as hard as you can, work as hard as you can, and love your teammates even harder. One day you'll wish you had those 6 AM days back, the four-hour practices back, and all the tough moments in between. Take it all in. Love every minute of it.

Professional Players

My resolution is for us to empower as many little girls as we can. Let them know that we play the game for love, not for money. We play to change lives, not to make ourselves remembered. We play a TEAM game full of selflessness, resilience, joy, and heart.

We need to accept that we are building a foundation for playing after college while still pursuing a career to fall back on. At this moment in time, softball can only take us so far. But, we are laying the foundation for little girls across the world to one day have a full-time career as a professional softball player, just like the boys do it. We need to make sure those girls know that it WILL happen, even if it isn't the case right now. We need to instill hope, and we need to keep these dreams alive.

Coaches

Make sure that your players are learning the intangibles and growing into fine young women. I see so many girls my age (22, fresh out of college) that have no identity without softball. They do not know who they are, and they do not know what they want out of their lives.

I was fortunate enough to have great people around me at Alabama who led me to a career choice I know will last me long after my playing days are over. I've found myself, but it wasn't easy. Invest in your players as people and make sure they know that they are so much more than just a softball player. You can do a lot of amazing things in this world without putting on a jersey. Let them know that.

Fans

Right now your support of our sport is amazing, but the softball world always needs more from you. Instead of streaming, watching on TV, or catching the highlights, GET OUT TO THE PARK. Whether it's a college, Team USA, or NPF (hey, you might as well do all three), come watch us in person. The attendance numbers are what grow our game. I cannot begin to describe to you how much more electric an environment is when we reach 3,000, 4,000, or even 5,000 avid fans, let alone the World Series...

Get out to the ballpark. Enjoy the sunshine, the bright lights, the atmosphere. And when you are out there, know that you are growing this sport along with athletes like us.

If you are reading this, chances are you love softball. This new year, let's make sure that the softball world is filled with nothing but good, genuine people. I have always believed in the idea that good things happen to good people.

Be the change you wish to see in this game, whatever that may be. Remember, it takes a village.

Happy New Year everyone!