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

Crockpot Pumpkin Chili 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.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided as inspiration for this post. 

The major league baseball season is in full swing and already the action on the field has been incredible. Baseball fans around the country are ready for a summer full of excitement. Make sure you make the most out of this season with these tips!

Don’t Miss a Game

As much as we all want season tickets to be in the stands for every home game of our favorite team, that is just not the reality for the overwhelming majority of fans. However, even ball fans on a budget can’t watch every game thanks to the viewing packages from MLB.tv. Pay one annual fee to watch every regular season game from the comfort of your home. Unfortunately, if you live near your favorite team, blackouts may still apply but this subscription is a great way to watch games all over the country all season long at home or on your smartphone.

Get Into The Stadium Smoothly

Every stadium has its own rules for getting checked out and to your seats before a game. Here are some tips to make sure you are on time and ready before the first pitch is thrown.

A good rule of thumb is to arrive one hour before game time. There will be a wait to park, a line to get in, lines for the bathroom and concessions and that is all before you find your seats. Give yourself plenty of time. Most stadiums open at least an hour early.

Have a plan for parking or avoid it completely. Look at the parking information on the stadium website. Know where the lots are located and how much they cost. For lots of stadiums, you can pay for parking in advance. You pull up to your designated lot with your parking pass in hand saving you time and hassle. Avoid parking by taking public transportation or a rideshare program. Chances are there is a designated spot for Uber or Lyft at the stadium for drop off and pick up.

Each stadium has specific rules for what is allowed and what is not allowed inside the property. Don’t wait in line to get your bag checked and then have to go back to the car to put your handgun and bottle of tequila away. Weapons are not allowed in any MLB stadium and if you want to drink, you have to buy that inside from licensed vendors. You can check the rules for what you can bring to your next game on the stadium website.

Dress Like a Real Fan Without Wearing Baseball Jerseys

Baseball jerseys or hats are always a good option and shows you are a fan. However, not everyone loves team gear.  You may not feel comfortable in baseball jerseys. They are pretty expensive and you don’t end up wearing them anywhere else. So many baseball fans love more than one team and just have a deep love for the game in general. Buying baseball jerseys for multiple teams is not cheap! My favorite baseball brand is Baseballism. When you are rocking clothing or accessories from Baseballism, people know you love baseball and you never have to wear baseball jerseys.

Baseball can be a little complicated. Show off your baseball math skills with the 6432 shirt from Baseballism. Instead of impractical baseball jerseys, Baseballism has cleverly designed tees for fans that you can wear all the time. Their tees are extra soft with a comfortable fit. Can you do that baseball math on this shirt? It is a great conversation starter with other baseball fans.

A lot of women are huge baseball fans but they are not crazy about wearing baseball jerseys. Fear not! You can carry your love of the game close to your heart every single day whether you have a game to go to or not. Baseballism has a gorgeous line of necklaces that come in silver and rose gold. The Baseball Bat Bar Necklace is sweet and subtle and something true baseball fans will notice. Wear your favorite outfit to the ballpark paired with this necklace and you are set for the day. Baseball jerseys are not the only option if you shop with Baseballism this season.  

Don’t miss a game. If you are attending a game live, have a plan on how you will arrive. You can show off your love of baseball any day with the right clothing and accessories. For true fans, baseball is life. Live your best baseball life this season!