Mom's: Do you really love baseball?

Ballpark Nights- do they ever end for the Mom's?

(This must have been written by a soccer mom)

Red clay, loud cheers; bats cracking, ball flying; leather smacking, kids sliding--must be baseball season!! Almost every night of the week you’ll find our local parks bursting with families enjoying balmy evenings watching their kids and grandkids play America’s favorite pastime. Of course this holds true for our softball-playing girls, but to make it easier, indulge me while I muse about the world of baseball.

Although everyone loves baseball, here’s what I suspect baseball moms really think at the start of the season… "save me" from those long, boring nights sitting fence-side awaiting your child’s one (maybe two) turns batting; endless washing & re-washing (and scrubbing some more) those polyester, white team pants, and relentless spending dollar after dollar on junk food, candy and soft drinks. Gosh aren’t we thrilled we didn’t miss that sign-up date! Thank you to the Dads who couldn’t wait to get a glove in their hands and a uniform on their back!

From the moment your kids can hit the ball off the tee, you instantly become a member of … the baseball cult. For those not in the club, allow me to shed some light on this very special world and the people in it.

First, you’ll meet baseball dads of all kinds. Some come for their scheduled games; others come to scout for their team while enjoying a Bradley Sausage dog, hot off the grill. (Personally, I don’t get these guys. Why show up at the ball field when you don’t have to? You’ll also notice how some dads coach on the field and some like to think they are coaching, but are really just screeching on the sidelines and famously guilty of “intentional infliction of emotional distress” on their child or the poor umpire who just called his kid out. I think some are reliving their little league glory days (or lack thereof) and forget that this is not the major leagues!

Although I’m not a devoted, love-the-game-above-all-else kind of baseball fan, if my kids are playing, you’ll know where to find me: at the game, plopped in my chair, lined up with the other mom’s around home base, anxiously waiting for my child’s “at bat.”

Batting is THE most agonizing part of watching your kids play the game. And don’t give me that pitiful look when my child strikes out--I already feel bad! Hitting off the tee was so easy-- you got tons of chances. Hitting a coach-pitched ball, simple--nice lob over the plate, gentle hit, and your kid makes it to first base. When you get to the next level and find your child behind the plate awaiting the pitch from another 11-year-old? Frightening! That ball can, and does, come from anywhere! Make sure you know your way to the emergency room--and keep ice close by.

Night after night at the ball field will also teach you to fight for the safest parking space--the one close to the field, but not so close that the foul balls seem attracted to your windshield. Hint: drop them early and bring a magazine. You will also find yourself buying “Fels Napa,” the old-fashioned bar of soap found on the bottom shelf in the grocery, last time I looked. According to our baseball expert next door, it’s the one and only thing that gets out ground-in red clay. Next, you’ll have to buy up to four collapsible chairs. Make sure you like them and test them for comfort, you’ll be sitting in them for hours on end. Finally, make friends with the other players’ parents. When all three of my kids were playing simultaneously at different parks around town, I couldn’t have survived without the help of the other moms!

So that’s my baseball world as I have found it. I did forget to mention the best baseball dad of all--the one who plays with him in the front yard, cheers at the games when he makes a good catch, and reminds your little player that it’s all about having fun. But if you can catch, pitch and hit, all the better for us parents!

One more thing, please tell me who I can credit with the brilliant idea of wearing white pants while sliding on red clay--obviously not the mother who was doing the wash!

 

Must be a soccor mom!

I see a few of these moms at the park every year, but they won't sit near me. I'm sure their kid is happy that mom is there, at least in body. They sit waiting for their son to bat...then look up from their book and say "good job Johnny" then back to the book they go. They don't even realize what they are missing.

You see, my son knows I love the game, so he has included me in the club. I get to sit with him after games, before games, and when something happens in the major leagues and TALK WITH HIM. I root for the team not just my kid, and I don't bring a book to the park because I don't want to. I love the game and have butterflies right now thinking about heading to Spartanburg-Methodist tomorrow. I GET to watch 2 doubleheaders this weekend. My kid is leadoff for the Lancers tomorrow so the first pitch belongs to him. YEAH for MOMS who ACTUALLY LOVE BASEBALL!!!!

 

Momma Mia

Now that is what I'm talking about. Hope the first pitch is a home run.

 

YES!!!!

I absolutely LOVE baseball!! I was born with it in my blood......literally!!
If you come to one of LR's games...you'll find me next to the dugout, keeping my book, counting pitches and keeping "Blue" honest. I wouldn't miss a game for anything. Baseball is truly one of my loves in life.


Later, RSPM

 

I will confirm that this is absolutely true. There is no one more passionate about baseball than RSPM

 

"the first pitch belongs to him."

Now that is cool. Good luck.

 

The pitch was outside Lady.....

sounds like i better go as a visitor instead of in my work clothes!!!!

 

I'm that mom

Okay I'll admit it, I was one of those moms reading a book or doing paperwork doing my sons early t-ball games,but that was 11 years ago. I have since learned to appreciate the game and what it means to my son. Now, I sit in my lawn chair, sip on a diet coke and enjoy watching my son and his friends (One Putts son)play H.S. ball. Though, baseball is not my favorite sport(FOOTBALL IS KING) I love watching and being there for my son, because it's very important to him. I have been at everyone of his games since he started at the age of 5. To better understand the game I even learned to keep stats. The highest compliment to me was when in his last youth league season, he voluntered me to keep the book! It wasn't perfect, but I gave it my all. In just 2 short years he'll be off to college, and I wouldn't have missed a second for anything (including a football game) in this world.

 

Not just Baseball,

Ok, you have to include us mom's who go to sit at the FP softball field along with those at baseball. I actually have 2 sons who could care less about ever even looking at a bat and glove much less picking one up, but my DD will be heading to college this fall on a SB scholarship.

Even though we are going through some rough time between the 2 of us, you can bet that I will be there rooting for her and her TEAM when the season starts NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!

md

 

Thanks Gals

Great to have the mom's sharing: TBR is not just for men.