Disclaimer: Product samples were provided as inspiration for this post.
The smell of the freshly cut grass, the sound of bat to ball, the brightly colored jerseys and hats, and dust flying in the air. Those things can only mean one thing, it is little league baseball season. For so many kids, baseball is a rite of passage. When your child joins a baseball team, the whole family actually joins. Your child’s teammates become like your own children. You and the other parents become a fan club, cheering on the team’s every move. It is an incredibly fun time in the life of a family but you definitely need to be prepared for how it will take over your schedule in an instant. Here are some tips for surviving the little league baseball season.
Have a Family Schedule
Baseball season is hectic. There are lots of practices and once the games start, you can end up at the ballpark almost every day. If you have more than one child playing, you might spend an entire Saturday on baseball between multiple games. Keep everyone in your family on a schedule together. Using a scheduling app or program that updates everyone at the same time is helpful. Google calendar is easily shared between family members. Dad can add his work meetings, Mom can let everyone know when she can leave the office, and all games and practices should be added as soon as they are scheduled. Using a single family schedule will allow you to make sure no one misses a commitment and keep the stress to a minimum because you all know what to expect.
Pack Your Survival Gear
Showing up to a little league baseball practice or game with just a small purse and your child’s baseball gear is a rookie mistake. You need a high quality, large bag and you need to fill it with the right stuff to keep you and your all star comfortable no matter what this season throws your way.
The Cathy Zip tote from Baseballism is the perfect size. This bag easily holds a small first aid kit, a water bottle, a planner, snacks, sunflower seeds, a hat, sunscreen and more. It is made with real glove leather making it the coolest bag ever for a baseball game. The zip top keeps all your stuff in place. Inside you will find an insulated spot for your water bottle and a total of 9 different pockets. The straps fit comfortably over your shoulder. You will have everything you need and will look amazing carrying this bag.
Meal Plan
During the week, games and practices are all held after school and work. Avoid hitting the drive-thru every night by meal planning. Take advantage of cooking with a slow cooker or instant pot to save time. Here are some great recipes:
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot Roast Chicken Recipe
Salads prepared ahead of time are a perfect dinner to go. Bag up healthy snacks in advance so you can throw a couple in your Baseballism tote on the way out the door. Don’t go hungry this baseball season!
Dress the Part
You are proud of you little leaguer and want everyone to know that you are a baseball mom! This Mom shirt from Baseballism will instantly become your favorite shirt to wear to the ballpark. The design is adorable and it is so soft and comfortable. You are not a regular mom, you are a cool baseball mom!
Don’t leave your kid out when you are shopping for the little league season. Baseballism has great options for kids too. This little Sandlot obsessed kid loves his Beast shirt. He tucks it into his baseball pants for practice or pairs it with shorts to wear to school. It is just as soft as the adult shirts.
Dad can also rock some Baseballism gear and you are without a doubt, the coolest family at the ballpark.
Know Your Role
Let the coaches coach and let the parents parent. Unless you are actually coaching your child’s baseball team, don’t act like the coach. Kids are leaving youth sports more and more and part of that is because parents yell at them too much and ruin the fun. Cheer your child on. Let him know you are always proud of him. Instead of criticizing or critiquing, encourage your child to always try his best. Ask him if he learned anything new. Ask him how he felt about the game or practice. Just listen. Don’t always feel like you have to say something. Follow the old rule of only saying something if you have something nice to say. The Yankees aren’t recruiting your 8 year old so quit acting like it. Enjoy this special time as a family in a positive way.
Know your schedule, be prepared, get the right gear, and act like a mom, not a coach. Let the memories of little league baseball be some of your favorite. Don’t miss out on the fun. Cheer, laugh, take photos, and just soak in the moments together on the baseball field this spring and summer.
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