Confessions of a (Not Quite Ready to Retire) Baseball Mom

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In our household, baseball isn’t just a hobby—it’s practically a way of life. So when it came time to see if our daughter would share the same passion, we knew she was stepping up to the plate with a lot of expectations. With two teenage brothers who spend more time on the field than most pros—and parents who have coached and played for years—Mia was practically destined to become a baseball-loving sister, whether she liked it or not.

What many outside of Southern California don’t realize is that there’s no “off-season” for baseball here. At the high school level, kids juggle summer ball, fall ball, winter ball, and spring season, all while being involved in Little League from the time they’re tiny until they graduate middle school. Plus, there’s travel ball, which is always an option, as long as you’re willing to pay.

Our sons, Jake and Ryan, participated in all these leagues simultaneously, making our family schedule a whirlwind of practice and games. So, when we discovered I was pregnant at 40, it felt like a curveball we weren’t prepared for. As I stared at the pregnancy test confirming our baby girl, my first thought was, “Where will we fit a car seat and stroller?” Our mid-size car was already packed to the brim with gear, from bats to buckets of balls.

We made a significant trade: farewell to our compact car and hello to a massive SUV. I stepped down from coaching Little League, and when Mia arrived in November 2011, we were excited to welcome her to our baseball family. Born during a whooping cough outbreak, we kept her away from public spaces until she was a few months old—though she did make her debut at a travel ball game when she was just three weeks old.

Mia has shown incredible adaptability, nursing while I cheered for Ryan from my foldable chair. If the evening games were chilly, we simply moved to the backseat of our SUV, where we could still catch every pitch. When All-Star season came around, I decked out her onesies in Ryan’s team colors, even though she mostly napped through the games.

Now that she’s 4, her style is definitely her own, making matching outfits a challenge. I managed to score a sparkly “Lil Sis” tank top with her brothers’ number, but I flopped with a black shirt that read “My Brother Can Get Your Brother Out.” She only wore it once, and bribing her with candy was the only way I could convince her.

Being part of the baseball scene has given Mia more travel opportunities than most kids her age. From road trips to Las Vegas for Ryan’s tournaments to cheering in Arizona, she’s seen it all. This season alone, she attended 10 games in one week without a single complaint, proving she’s a trooper, even if it takes a small army to keep her entertained with snacks, toys, and games.

Mia has also built a fan club of high school cheerleaders, and while she loves the attention, she often longs for playmates her own age. Unfortunately, with such a large gap between her and her brothers, those connections are rare. Thankfully, fellow baseball moms have stepped in, sharing goodies and toys to keep her entertained during long games.

As we move from one season to the next, I sense Mia’s patience is wearing thin. Sometimes, she’ll ask, “Can we go now?” before the first inning is even over. With two more years of Ryan’s high school games and Tanner’s college games to catch, there’s still a lot of baseball in her future. But as she grows into her own person, we’re left wondering if she’ll share our family’s love for the game or if her interests will diverge.

Recently, we attended a college game, and halfway through, Mia glanced up from her book, confused. “What are we doing here?” she asked, realizing her brothers were not playing.

Everyone wonders when Mia will trade her spectator seat for a spot on the field. Will she follow her brothers’ footsteps and claim number 9 for herself, or will her passion lie elsewhere, like dance or horseback riding? She enjoys swinging a plastic bat and catching with her tiny glove, but would she still be interested if her gear wasn’t pink?

It’s hard to say whether being raised in a baseball family will inspire her love for the sport or push her away. Time will tell, but for now, we’re ready to support whatever path she chooses. Although I’d miss the excitement of baseball—like the crack of a bat or the thrill of a base steal—I know I’d still make a great mom in any scenario.

So here’s to the next chapter, whether it’s on the diamond or off it. You can bet I’ll be cheering for her, no matter what she chooses to pursue.

For more insights on parenting during this exciting journey, check out this post on home insemination. If you’re interested in understanding more about the journey to parenthood, Make A Mom is an excellent resource. And for those navigating pregnancy, the CDC offers valuable information.

Summary

In this heartfelt reflection, a baseball mom shares her experiences as she navigates the joys and challenges of raising a daughter amid a passionate baseball family. With humor and warmth, she contemplates her daughter’s future in sports while simultaneously embracing her individuality and interests. The journey is filled with travel, camaraderie among fellow baseball parents, and the hope that Mia may one day find her own passion, whether it be in baseball or beyond.